Welcome Back EcoSchools
· Curious about certification results from last year?
· Announcing the Climate Leadership theme year and Climate Leadership Contest! Read more.
Register your school today!
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. Ontario EcoSchools supports School Board's implementation of the Environmental Education Framework.
Ontario EcoSchools Implementation Framework
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) Teamwork and Leadership
b) Energy Conservation
c) Waste Minimization
d) School Ground Greening
e) Curriculum Ecological Literacy
f) Environmental Stewardship
The EcoSchools program also presents a unique opportunity for students to actively apply their Catholic faith.
In January 1990, 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”.
In September 2015, Pope Francis proclaimed the existence of a “right of the environment” and “Any harm done to the environment, therefore, is harm done to humanity,”
EcoSchools recognizes the achievements of the participating schools through a certification process that awards a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze level of achievement.
For information on how to get involved contact one of our EcoSchools Committee Members:
Eco School Documents 2015-2016