EcoVoices!
| |
In 2010 students at Claude Watson School for the Arts produced 21 ingenious high-impact EcoSchools messages in song that they want to share. Teacher Alan Gotlib also supplied a list of accompanying classroom activities. EcoSchools will arrange a method to share this precious resource. Watch for an announcement in September!
|
| | |
A few words from our students and teachers!
"The Changing Currents program provides a unique combination of meaningful science instructed by mentor scientists in the students' own backyard so that student engagement is peaked more so than I have seen in any of our classroom activities."- Teacher at Borden B.T.I.
""That day was awesome, going in the water getting the samples and checking what we got was all fun. I'm beginning to like stuff like this field research. Thank so much for educating me in field biology. Midges are cool." - Student at Borden B.T.I.
|
We often speak of learning in, about and for the environment. These neighbourhood walks are not just in the environment, they are also about it. And in making students more aware of their own environments and where change may be needed, it is education for the environment as well.
|
|
Bethune's office staff:
* keeps scrap paper trays available
* does all attendance records electronically
* moves teacher communications online
* uses very small sheets when paper notices needed
* communicates with parents electronically
|
|
|
"Toronto the Green" walk August 10th: 10am-noon
Free sample of new walking tour designed for middle and secondary students. Each teacher may bring one guest, also free.
To register: Send an email with your name, summer e-mail, and phone number to tours@walkto.ca.
Deadline: June 30th
For more information: www.walkto.ca; or
647 239 5899 |
|
The Great Lakes Did you know? |
The combined shoreline of the Great Lakes is equal to about 45% of the earth's circumference The Great Lakes contain 18% of the world's fresh surface water--making them the largest system of fresh surface water on earth The Great Lakes support 9 million Canadians and 8 of Canada's 20 largest cities The Great Lakes provide drinking water to 8.5 million Canadians The wetlands of Lake Ontario have suffered severe loss over the last two centuries Source: Environment Canada Great Lakes Quickfacts  | |
Ashbridges Bay, Toronto
|
Want to know if it's safe to swim in Lake Ontario? Lake Ontario Waterkeeper has developed an online swim guide that let's you know where the beaches are and which ones are safe to swim! |
|
|
|
|
Summing up: 400+ certified EcoSchools this year!
Every EcoSchools year is packed with activity. School teams work hard to achieve certification, pouring hundreds of hours of creativity and  sheer determination into reaching their goals. Our auditors come back with stories that amaze and delight. For the first time, we'll certify more than 400 schools this year - 221 of them at the gold and platinum levels. What seemed impossible 10 years ago is actually happening. Learning to live sustainably on the planet is taking hold in more and more schools, and our understanding about what it means to be truly green is continuing to deepen.
Together, staff, students, and parents are engaging in genuine systems change. And it's working!
|
|
EcoSchools kick-offs begin September 20th
EcoSchools Section 1, Question 1.1
Schools sometimes ask if they have to come to the EcoSchools kick-off
workshop each year. The answer is a resounding YES PLEASE!
These kick-offs are often our only chance to connect with key members of each school's EcoTeam. Nothing is better for building the EcoSchools community. And we love to meet you in person.
The kick-off will
- bring you up-to-date on the latest developments in the program
- give you time to begin planning as a team
- give you a chance to network with other schools in your area to share best practices and ideas for overcoming common hurdles!
Kick-off date: Your school's date will arrive with your final audit report this month. Please mark your calendar now!
Kick-off locations: You will receive notice of your school's kick-off location in September. |
|
Planning for next year!
Many organizations have programs that support environmental education in the City of Toronto. Below is just a sampling.
These programs address many expectations in EcoSchools Section 2.1 (Energy Conservation), Section 4 (Ecological Literacy), and Section 5 (Healthy, Safe and Caring Communities.
TRCA Watershed on Wheels: They come to you! An in-class half day environmental conservation program. Booking for the 2011/12 school year starts August 1st, 2011. 
The 18th annual Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup aims to promote an understanding and education about shoreline litter issues. National Cleanup Week takes place September 17-25th. Click here to join a cleanup or organize your own!
EcoSpark has two free programs available to schools.
Changing Currents: A half-day EcoSpark field trip where students visit their local stream or river and assess its health by examining the bugs that live in the water. EcoSpark staff will provide the expertise, the equipment, and lots of in-class resources. Teacher training is offered four times per year. Click here for more information.
Wattwize: With the help of a conservation coach EcoTeams will work to asses electricity usage and decrease consumption in their school; create a student-led conservation campaign and implement the plan throughout the year. Visit http://www.ecospark.ca/wattwize to learn more!
20/20 The Way to Clean Air
 Developed by Toronto Public Health, the 20/20 The Way to Clean Air program offers teachers a way to help students apply their learning about energy conservation in school and at home.
To register your classroom and order free print copies of the 20/20 Planner, call 416-338-8070 or go to the website. Evergreen Brick Works: Offers full-day programs for grades 1-6 in this "nature in the city" treasured spot. Cost: $15 per student; subsidies available for underserved schools. For more information or to be put on an interest list for the 2011/12 school year please contact Anne Dabrowski, adabrowski@evergreen.ca, or 416-596-1495 x248. Visit evergreen.ca for many excellent resources. |
|
Oakridge PS: Neighbourhood Walks
EcoSchools Section 4, Questions 4.2-4.6 (depending on focus)
 | |
See summer reading
|
Oakridge teacher Esther Ashby believes that the school's local neighbourhood is a perfect place for a walking tour. Esther's reasons for her pedagogy are straightforward: "I feel strongly that classes need to make more use of the environment in their immediate neighbourhood for learning. We are near a great ravine and we have a garden and we have nice quiet streets to walk on. That is why I pushed to use the neighbourhood." Several colleagues also developed neighbourhood walks, and chose a focus for their grades.
To read about what two of those walks consisted of, click here.
|
|
Bethune's Paper Caper...and the ripple effect
EcoSchools Section 1, Questions 1.1, 1.5, 1.7.; Section 2, Question 2.2.3
Last October 18 teachers signed up to see how long they could make a package of copy paper (500 sheets) last. At year's end two intrepid teachers, Nicholas Villote and Ross MacDonald, still had paper left!
 | |
See summer reading
|
And there's clearly a ripple effect throughout the school. Senior office assistant Karen Tenn reports that this year the school will have used 10 skids of paper (down from 12.5 skids last year), of which 30% is 100% recycled content.
That is a reduction of 76 boxes, or 380,000 sheets of paper!!!
Congratulations everyone and thank you for sharing another of Bethune's pioneering steps toward greater and greater sustainability! To hear what Karen Tenn, Sonya Goldberg, and Nicholas Villote have to say, and learn how Nicholas achieved the near-impossible, click here.
|
Ontario launches new Waste Reduction Program for schools 
Section 2.2.1, Questions 2.2.1--2.2.5
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment's new 3Rs for Managing School Waste program will help schools develop or enhance their waste management programs. Check out its collection of communication tools to help school leaders educate, motivate, and change wasteful ways in schools! See attached for more information and
visit their 3Rs for Managing School Waste program. (Image courtesy of Claude Watson student.) |
|
Summer web-browsing
EcoSchools Section 1, Question 1.1; Section 4, Questions 4.2--4.6 (depending on focus)
The Centre for Ecoliteracy: a very rich and layered resource inviting readers to discover - explore - teach - change - share. Two decades of work in sustainability and ecological literacy make this a must-stop place on your web travels. Recent highlights include several short items: Rethinking School Lunch Guide; Seven Lessons for Leaders in Systems Change, and Summer Reading Suggestions. Visit the home page and take off from there!
Evergreen is another many-layered site. Its wonderful tag line, "Imagine your city with nature," also influences how we imagine our school grounds as well. This is the main site to visit for school ground greening resources. Poke your head into Teachers' Corner for peer-reviewed lesson plans organized by grade for use in an outdoor classroom.
So many other fine sites out there! Send us your favourites over the summer!
|
|
Summer reading
EcoSchools Section 1, Question 1.1; Section 4, Questions 4.2--4.6 (depending on focus)
Every June something gets in the way and we fall short of our go al of compiling The Perfect EcoSchools Summer Reading List. Instead, we are giving you what we have ready at this moment...far from ideal, but some real treasures for you to dip in to from time to time as you unwind. !t Includes a never before published essay on ecological literacy by our departing IL Steve Bibla. He's batting in the ninth with two out....don't miss it!
To get acquainted with some of these environmental education books and different perspectives on ecological literacy, click here.
We'd love to know if you find anything on our list really helpful. Write to us with some of your favourites.
|
|
Parting words from Steve Bibla...
Over the years, I have been inspired by your hard work, and I hope you have seen this reflected in my work with you. In my new role as the Program Coordinator of Science and Technology, I look forward to working with Pam Miller, your new Instructional Leader. She brings a wealth of experience and talent that will serve EcoSchools well.
As a final thought before we leave for the summer, I share some of my latest thinking on social media and a new program that might help us keep in touch. Have a great summer!
|
|
Stay tuned...
For cowpots and sawdust in the September issue of our e-newsletter!! |
|
From the editors' desk...
Every year EcoSchools experience changes. Treasured staff leave. How to replace veteran 'stars' is always a challenge, both in schools and for us as a department. Steve Bibla and Mary Lovett are changing assignments, Steve to become Program Coordinator of Science and Technology, Mary to work part-time on Demonstration EcoSchools. Talented new staff arrive. We are very lucky to have Pam Miller assuming Steve's role as Instructional Leader. As site supervisor of the Etobicoke Field Studies Centre and co-leader of the Summer Institute, Pam brings the team knowledge, experience, and boundless enthusiasm for nature, people, and the environment. Samara Newman returns from maternity leave to turn her creativity in a new direction as we explore giving EcoSchools an on-line presence. After a delicious summer break, we are already looking forward to the fall.
On behalf of all our EcoSchools staff, happy holidays!
Best wishes,
Eleanor Dudar and Jenn Vetter
|
|
|
|
|
