GUELPH, Ontario – This year, schools across the Upper Grand are certifiably green! A record 100% of schools in the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) certified with the Ontario EcoSchools program, joining a growing movement of 1,900 schools across the province.
Ontario EcoSchools works with 58 school boards to nurture student leadership and foster environmental learning and action in schools. Certification is based on a provincial standard of excellence and reaches 1,000,000 students across Ontario.
UGDSB is proud to be part of this growing network and supports ongoing environmental practices in schools. This year, all of the board’s 76 schools certified – allowing UGDSB to reach its goal of 100% a year earlier than planned.
There are many UGDSB schools that stand out for their exceptional achievements. One such school is Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute – a high school that, after achieving Gold EcoSchools certification for five years, has achieved Platinum. The leadership structure at GCVI is completely student-centered, with a student leader heading each of the six certification categories.
Amongst the schools’ many achievements is their strong community connection, including undertaking a 10-year plan to transform their campus into an arboretum with more than 120 different species of trees, many with labelled descriptions. This project, which also includes an outdoor classroom, showcases sustainable construction and landscaping techniques including a green roof, rooftop water capture, photovoltaic panels, limestone pathways, naturalized seating areas and community gardens.
Another of GCVI’s successes was helping the board tackle a significant energy conservation problem. The school, one of the oldest in Canada, has double slider windows. These are problematic as when one of the sliders is left open, this results in unnecessary energy waste. The student EcoTeam worked closely with the Operations Department and began to do audit checks of the windows and raised awareness amongst staff and students of the insulating effects of having both sliders properly closed. Windows are now, finally, being fully closed!
Another example of an exceptional UGDSB EcoSchool is Hylands Heights Elementary School. Hyland Heights is a school that has always modelled an environmental mindset, and this year they officially documented their great initiatives to achieve Gold in their first year of EcoSchools certification.
The Hyland Heights EcoTeam members in partnership with the MeToWe group worked hard to raise whole school awareness through school-wide events such as the Great Big Crunch, textile and battery recycling campaigns. Their Golden Trash and Recycling Bin Awards helped students reduce waste in a compelling, fun way. Even the community was involved in their EcoSchools success, with families offering to help with summer garden maintenance, in exchange for fresh produce.
Ontario EcoSchools and UGDSB are proud of the journeys of all certifying schools and their efforts to integrate environmental education and action into the daily lives of students.
Quotes
“We decided to go directly for gold because there was no sense in waiting to improve our world! The inquiry that came from building eco-stewardship in our classroom and school, created learning these students will never forget.” ~ Jen Bonter, Teacher, Hylands Heights ES
“The Ontario EcoSchools program has provided GCVI with an excellent opportunity to allow students to build their leadership skills by engaging their peers, teachers, and broader community in considering the impacts of our habits and decisions on the environment.” ~ Chris van Beurden, Teacher, GCVI
“As a student, I felt fortunate this year to lead the EcoSchools team, as it was rewarding to see the hard work of our students and the passion of the teachers involved. This program is a wonderful way to encourage all grades to take part in their environment in meaningful and creative ways. I look forward to seeing what future EcoSchools initiatives will take place at GCVI, and across Ontario.” ~ Emory Claire Mitchell, Grade 12 student, GCVI
“We greatly appreciate the comprehensive program offered by Ontario EcoSchools, as they are dedicated to supporting schools in achieving many important and diverse environmental goals. One of the strengths of the program is that it fosters student leadership, empowering our youth to take action and encourage others towards positive change. Each year as the movement grows in our board, we are inspired by the dedication and passion shown by staff, students and parents at all our schools, in their commitment to caring for and protecting our future.” ~ Karen Acton, Environmental Sustainability Lead, UGDSB
“Ontario EcoSchools certification provides a framework for environmental learning and action, and school communities bring it to life. The program allows schools and school boards to benchmark their progress and celebrate achievements year-over-year. We are so proud of the 1,900 schools and 58 school boards that participated in the program in 2017-18. This is a record number over our 13-year history.” ~ Lindsay Bunce, Executive Director, Ontario EcoSchools
Quick Facts
For the 2017-18 school year, 8 schools in UGDSB achieved Bronze level, 19 Silver level, 45 Gold level, and 4 Platinum.
In 2014, UGDSB created a 5-year Environmental Sustainability Action Plan and a key goal was to have all 76 schools in the board certify as an EcoSchool within the 5-year timeframe. UGDSB is proud to announce they have achieved this goal one year ahead of time.
Ontario EcoSchools is an award-winning environmental education and certification program for grades K-12 that nurtures environmental leaders, reduces the ecological impact of schools, and builds environmentally responsible school communities. All publicly funded schools can access the EcoSchools program free of charge.
Visit Ontario Eco Schools for more information and for a full list of certified schools across the province.
About the Upper Grand District School Board
The Upper Grand District School Board serves approximately 34,000 students through 65 elementary schools and 11 secondary schools in the City of Guelph, County of Wellington and County of Dufferin. The UGDSB covers the ancestral and traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Six Nations of the Grand River, and Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territories. Student success is the goal of over 3,000 dedicated teaching and support staff who are aided by the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners.
Learn, Lead, Inspire…Together
-30-
Media contacts:
Melissa Benner
Communication Director, Ontario EcoSchools
Cell: 647-740-0803
mbenner@ontarioecoschools.org
Heather Loney
Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.725
Email Heather Loney
Megan Sicoli
Administrative Officer, Communications
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.764
Email Megan Sicoli