May 28, 2009
EcoSchools Sprouting Up Across the DSBN
Thirteen more DSBN elementary and secondary schools are solidifying their commitment to environmental sustainability. After months of hard work, six secondary schools and seven elementary schools earned certification in the Ontario EcoSchools program.
Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education program for grades 1-12 that helps students develop ecological literacy while engaged in practices to become environmentally responsible citizens. To qualify as EcoSchools, schools must meet certain criteria in the areas of, teamwork and leadership, waste management, energy conservation, school ground greening, curriculum and ecological literacy. Depending on the number of points a school is awarded in each category, they can be certified at the gold, silver or bronze level.
DSBN Director of Education Warren Hoshizaki says he is very pleased with the results and “the culture of conservation that is rapidly emerging at schools. Our students are demonstrating real leadership on this issue; they understand their future health, well-being and economic prosperity are all impacted by our natural environment. As a Board, we will continue to encourage this leadership and support student efforts.”
DSBN Science and Environmental Education Consultant Sean Hanna is similarly enthused by the growing number of eco-certified schools and says the students and staff who took part in the program deserve to be congratulated. “Each school formed its own eco-team that developed and implemented a plan to reduce the school’s ecological footprint. I believe this demonstrates that DSBN schools are engaging students as agents of change as they work towards a sustainable future.”
"These results are also a testament to the expertise of our students and staff, as all schools are certified at either the gold or silver level," adds Hanna.
In addition to the new schools added to the program, the DSBN’s original EcoSchools, Sheridan Park, Colonel John Butler and Westlane Secondary all renewed their eco-certification for the next year. Sheridan Park remains a gold certified school, while Colonel John Butler and Westlane upgraded their certifications from silver to gold.
Hanna says he expects the program will continue to expand. “It’s clear that students have a real passion for the environment and our schools are very pleased to support their efforts. In June, we have a number of sessions scheduled to introduce the EcoSchool framework to another group of schools. It will be an opportunity for them to get together, share ideas, best practices and become more involved in this very important movement.”
DSBN EcoSchools
Elementary
Col. John Butler, NOTL, Gold
College Street, Smithville, Silver
Fort Erie Elementary, Fort Erie, Gold
Glynn A. Green, Fonthill, Gold
Oakridge, St. Catharines, Silver
Parliament Oak, NOTL, Gold
Prince of Wales, St. Catharines, Gold
Sheridan Park, St. Catharines, Gold
Westdale, St. Catharines, Gold
Secondary
Centennial, Welland, Silver
E.L. Crossley, Fonthill, Silver
Kernahan Park, St. Catharines, Gold
Niagara District, NOTL, Silver
Ridgeway-Crystal Beach, Ridgeway, Gold
Stamford Collegiate, Niagara Falls, Gold
Westlane, Niagara Falls, Gold