Ontario EcoSchool Program: What is it?
The EcoSchool certification program was set up by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in 2002 then in 2005, it joined with York University and the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority where it expanded province-wide. The program’s main goal is to encourage action and environmental awareness among the youth from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
As of today, there are 1,830 certified EcoSchools from 56 different school boards all over Ontario. As of 2017, the EcoSchool program is the only voluntary certification program in Ontario that celebrates schools for their environmental and Eco-friendly initiatives. All publicly-funded schools can apply for free to get a certification but they must renew it every year to ensure they are still reaching their goals! Private schools can also apply but they have their own different requirements.
How Do Schools Implement The Program?
To certify, schools applying must form teams that can choose to work on some of the following programs/programs:
- Teamwork & Leadership: Through this program, schools are asked to develop Eco-teams composing of students and adults that work on campaigns and build on leaderships skills.
- Energy Conservation: This program is designed to help schools minimize their consumption of energy by turning off lights and devices when not being used.
- Waste Minimization: Schools can work on this program through implementing Waste-free lunches once a week or more! Also, recycling the lunch containers is a good way to start!
- School Ground Greening: Schools can “greenify” their outdoors through school garden projects and teaching students about plants.
- Curriculum: This part of the program aims to help schools integrate environmental learning in and out of the classroom.
- Environmental Stewardship: This last program encourages schools to work on school-wide projects that encourage tackling on specific environmental issues.
The hope is for all Ontario Schools to be certified eventually as these students are the future!
If you’d like to get your school certified, visit the Ontario EcoSchool website at: ontarioeschool.org
Let us know what you think of this program in the comments below!
Related:
Innisfil High School’s Enviroventure Program
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