TCDSB ECOSCHOOLS

Congratulations to the 2010-2011 TCDSB Certified Ontario EcoSchools

Gold certified

Blessed Margherita of Cittá di Castello Catholic School, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Chaminade College School*, Christ the King Catholic School, Francis Libermann Catholic High School, Holy Cross Catholic School, Michael Power/St. Joseph Catholic High School, Nativity of our Lord Catholic School*, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School, Blessed Pope John Paul II Catholic Secondary School, St Cyril Catholic School, St. Alphonsus Catholic School, St. Basil-the-Great College School, St. Cecilia Catholic School, St. Clement Catholic School, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, St. Gabriel Catholic School, St. Henry Catholic School, St. Jude Catholic School. St. Monica Catholic School*, St. Paschal Baylon Catholic School, St. Wilfrid Catholic School

Silver certified

Blessed Trinity Catholic School, Blessed Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, Father Serra Catholic School, Holy Child Catholic School, James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic Secondary School, Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School, Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School*, Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School, Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic High School, Senator O'Connor College School, St. Agatha Catholic School, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, St. Dunstan Catholic School*, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School, St. Gregory Catholic School, St. Helen Catholic School, St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic School, St. Jerome Catholic School, St. Joachim Catholic School, St. John Catholic School, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, St. Lawrence Catholic School, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School, St. Mary Catholic School, St. Mary of the Angels Catholic School, St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School, St. Michael's Choir School, St. Philip Neri Catholic School, St. Richard Catholic School, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, St. Timothy Catholic School, Sts. Cosmas & Damian Catholic School
 

Bronze certified

All Saints Catholic School, Bishop Marrocco /Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School, Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School*, Neil McNeil High School, Notre Dame High School, Regina Mundi Catholic School, St. Agnes Catholic School, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, St. Theresa Shrine Catholic School, Transfiguration of Our Lord Catholic School

Past TCDSB EcoSchools

What does it mean to be an EcoSchool? 

Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental program that addresses both the operation of the schools and what the students learn. It has been designed collaboratively by school boards for school boards to incorporate environmental education as well as environmentally responsible action into the school setting. Student success – in both academics and positive contributions to society – is the focus of Ontario EcoSchools. The program aims to influence young people during a formative period of life, and affect an exponential impact as children take a culture of conservation home with them. 

The purposes of this project are to: 

• Provide teachers with environmental education resource units for elementary and secondary grades based on the Ontario Curriculum. 

• Provides guides that promote taking individual action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Align what is taught in classrooms with school operations (curriculum & facilities). 

• Save money and reduce our impact on the environment (e.g., conserve energy and minimize waste) at both the Board and individual school levels and provide related opportunities for learning and action outside the classroom to reinforce classroom education. 

An independent study of the EcoSchool program acknowledged that a reduction of 12% electricity consumption and 8% gas reduction can be identified in EcoSchools versus non-EcoSchools. This relates directly to dollars and cents savings. The overall sense of community and environmental awareness seems to increase in EcoSchools which generates a harmonization of students, teaching staff, caretaking staff and the surrounding community.  

EcoSchools achieves this by focusing on these four areas: 

a) Energy Conservation

b) Waste Minimization

c) Ecological Literacy

d) Schoolground Greening 

The EcoSchools program also presents a unique opportunity for students to actively apply their Catholic faith. In his January 1, 1990 document, Pope John Paul II called the ecological crisis the “responsibility of everyone” and requested that individuals “recognize their obligation to contribute to the restoration of a healthy environment”. 

EcoSchools recognizes the achievements of the participating schools through a certification process that awards a gold, silver or bronze level of achievement. 

For information on how to get involved contact one of our EcoSchools Committee Members:

Roberta Oswald, Science Resource Teacher 416-222-8282 x2719, roberta.oswald@tcdsb.org,

Paul Deighan, Officer – Waste/Recycling, 416-222-8282 x2177, paul.deighan@tcdsb.org

Ontario EcoSchools Link:

http://www.yorku.ca/ecoschl/index.asp