Environmental Commitment

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is committed to providing leadership and direction for the protection and conservation of the environment. In order to promote environmentally responsible practice in the workplace, the TCDSB will comply with all environmental legislation and continually demonstrate, by attitude and example, that preservation of the environment and concern for detrimental effects on the environment are integral parts of every function of the Board.

The TCDSB proudly serves a diverse cultural, linguistic and ethnic student population.  Through a Christ-centred approach, the TCDSB enables students to reach their full academic potential, while developing spiritually and emotionally. The TCDSB endorses environmental sustainability and provides students with the attitudes, knowledge and skills necessary to act as responsible stewards of creation. Through partnerships with the City of Toronto and various non-profit organizations, the TCDSB can offer students unique opportunities to learn about their ecological footprint, and the ways they can reduce their impact on the Earth. 

Since 2005 a TCDSB Environmental Committee has been meeting monthly during the school year to promote a stronger commitment to protecting the environment. The committee members include: students, teachers, superintendents, parents, and support staff from the following departments (caretaking, communications, facilities, materials management, religious education, student leadership and teaching resources).  For further information please see the Environmental Committee page. 

Congratulations to the 2010-2011 TCDSB Certified Ontario EcoSchools

Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental program that addresses both the operation of the schools and what the students learn. 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”.

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. 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 recognizes the achievements of the participating schools through a certification process that awards a gold, silver or bronze level of achievement. We congratulate the following TCDSB Schools that have earned certification as Ontario EcoSchools this year.

For information on how to get involved contact:
Roberta Oswald, Science Resource Teacher 416-222-8282 x2719, roberta.oswald@tcdsb.org

 

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

*schools have been certified Ontario EcoSchools for five years.
 

Past TCDSB EcoSchools

Ongoing Initiatives:

TCDSB Waste Free Lunch

Earth Week

• TCDSB takes on Zerofootprint Challenge

News and Publications:

• Waste Reduction Week October 17-23, 2011

  • Information

  • Why Recycle Poster
     

• Grade 5 Students at St. Henry Challenge Schools to Reduce Their “Phantom Load”

• Footsteps Towards EcoLiteracy, April 2011