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  EcoSchools Newsletter
Special Spring/Earth Day Issue
April 2013
Volume 5 Issue 6
In this issue:

Solutions to climate change...where  do we look?

We began with building awareness. It's 43 years since the first Earth Day was celebrated. Skeptics would say that not much has changed since then, and that indeed things are getting worse. In some ways that is true. We are not making progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions at a rate that will help to slow climate change. For an antidote to this gloomy news, take 20 minutes to view Allan Savory's new TED talk about desertification and climate change. He acknowledges the role of burning fossil fuels and the need for brilliant technological solutions, then sets it aside. His focus is examining the ecology of the land.

The talk is a beautiful demonstration of what can happen when thinking ecologically is translated into action. Our own EcoSchools work in ecological literacy is contributing to this critical shift in thinking, helping to equip our students to see new possibilities in responding to environmental challenges. Here is change we can point to with pride, and a big step forward from 43 years ago!                                                 - E.D.

 

TDSB Earth Hour TDSB--new measures, different results!



The larger context:
In the City of Toronto a nearly 7% drop in consumption occurred during Earth Hour 2013, compared to our in-school 12% drop. So our schools continue to lead the way, and we're very proud to do so. Thanks everyone--and especially to our caretakers!


Earth Hour Timelapse - Toronto, Canada
Earth Hour Timelapse - Toronto, Canada
  



 

TDSB Earth Hour

March 22nd, 2-3 pm: 12% reduction (compared to electricity used March 8th, 2-3 pm)

 

Earth Hour weekend  

March 22nd-25th: 9% reduction (compared to electricity used March 1st-4th)--and an improvement on our 7% reduction during the 2012 weekend! 

 

How do we explain the big drop from our 2011 high of 29% reduction? How many sites we measure has changed. The Board now has the technology to retrieve electricity use hourly data from most of our sites.

 

In the past, our Utilities staff calculated the savings based on a small sample of 30 TDSB sites and provided us with pro-rated results (2008 was the base year). The much larger sample (483 sites) provides an accurate picture of electricity used. The comparison is with the same period two weeks earlier (instead of with 2008 results). 













April 26th is the deadline to submit
your EcoSchools application for certification. As you complete the 6 EcoReviews that make up the application, you may want to revisit the tools we mentioned in last month's newsletter. They'll give you an idea of what the auditor will be looking for during their visit!

Getting ready for your EcoSchools certification audit!


EcoSchools "look-fors" in all sections  

Would your school benefit from an EcoSchools audit this year? In case you are still undecided, a quick review of Getting ready for your audit: The really big EcoSchools certification "look-fors" (mostly pictures) will remind you what our auditors will be looking for.

If you still have questions about whether to sign up for an audit this year, check in with our Auditor-General Wendy Abbot. She is in touch with lots of schools and can perhaps help you to see yourself in terms of the bigger picture.

Applied already? Wendy is about to start scheduling auditor visits for May and June. You will hear from her soon.

Haven't applied yet? You have until Friday, April 26th to log in (from a Board networked computer) and complete your application to be (re)certified!






EcoPoetry for Earth Day 

 

Keele St-Mountview Alternative PS is holding an Eco-Poetry contest for Earth Day. All students are being encouraged to enter their eco-poems. Ten winning poems will be chosen, five from each division. Winners will be announced on Earth Day morning. During the week, all 10 winning poems will be read to the entire school, and then published for inclusion in the school library. Plans are also afoot for an Eco Poetry Caf� later in the week so that parents can visit, have coffee and treats, and hear the work produced by their children.

There's more! On Earth Day all Grades 1-6 classrooms will take shifts to mulch the 20+ trees, with four parent volunteers bringing wheelbarrows, buckets and shovels to help with this task.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Earth as an Apple

 

Some of you may recall this activity from the '90s (as a teacher or perhaps as a student).

Imagine the earth as an apple. Follow the instructions for dissecting the apple and describing what part of the Earth each increasingly small section (right down to the skin!) represents. A vivid and quite simple way to represent very big concepts!

 

 

 





 


  

Celebrating the Earth...and not just on  

Earth Day!


Potentially all EcoSchools sections

Every year as the warmer weather ushers in a new Spring season, thoughts inevitably turn to celebrating Earth Day. Of course, it's just one day that's become a symbolic reminder to take positive environmental action each and every day. And, much like Earth Hour, it's also a day (and week and month) that schools, students, and teachers alike can get excited about because everyone, from kindergarten to high school, can do something. And no matter how small or large the action, it all counts!

 

Original source unknown. Published in the Toronto Board of Education's The Green Page, April 16, 1998 

 

Resources and activity ideas

 

Browse through this list we've compiled to inspire you.   

  

 Green Teacher - Celebrating Earth Week: It's Elemental 

This timeless 1997 set of ideas and thought-provoking questions by teacher Deanna Fry focuses attention on a different theme for each day of Earth Week--Water, Fire, Earth, Air, and Spirit of Life. Very adaptable, and possible to just nibble at the edges of this rich resource if that's all that time allows!

 

Ontario EcoSchools (with thanks!) 

  • Earth Week Activity Ideas
    Here's another set of practical ideas for ways that a class or a whole school can adopt to celebrate each day of Earth Week!
  • Making Connections (elementary)
    This resource is an updated version (2012) of the TDSB's Celebrating EcoSchools, a collection of learning activities with suggestions for making it a whole-school celebration.

Earth Day Canada  

The EcoKids program offers lesson plans and activity ideas for your class (aussi en fran�ais). Be sure to visit its EcoReporters page to read about how schools across Canada are taking action. The student stories may even help to inspire your students!



Game Changers in Environmental Education: Redefining the Landscape
in Ontario

 

Join Environmental Education Ontario for its panel discussion about effective strategies being used at home, school, work, and in the community to inspire positive environmental action and behavior change.  

 

When: Thursday, April 11, 5:30-8:00pm (mix and mingle 5:30-6:00 pm)

 

Where: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), 252 Bloor St. W.,

Room 5-170.

 

RSVP: [email protected] 

 

For more information, click here 

  

 

Green Teacher e-subscription available only to newsletter subscribers with a TDSB account! 

 

EcoSchools Section 4   

 

Only teachers who subscribe to this newsletter through their TDSB account have access to a free subscription of Green Teacher (GT) magazine. If you switch to your TDSB Outlook account you will be able to access the new Spring 2013 issue. As an additional benefit, you will have unrestricted access to all of GT's many archived webinars. If you are not with the TDSB, consider subscribing to this excellent resource!    

green teacherWe have been asked to protect the small revenue stream that comes from subscribers, which is why we do not publish user name and password to non-TDSB accounts.

Contact
Diana Suzuki if you have a TDSB account so that we can share this resource with you. 


 

  

    

Earth Day Canada's EcoMentors Program

 
EcoMentors trains youth to become environmental leaders in their school and communities. All day (10am-4pm) session June 1st at Metro Hall, 55 John Street.

Register by Thurs., May 30th.
Questions? Contact
Jon-Erik Lappano

 

 

Earth Month Youth Forum - April 27th

 

This ROM-Earth Day Canada forum will offer youth (15-24) an opportunity to hear inspiring speakers and attend two of 12 environmental workshops to learn more about working toward environmental change. For educators and teacher candidates a 2-part workshop series on facilitating environmental education in the classroom will be presented by the Jane Goodall Initiative and Learning for a Sustainable Future.

 

Time: 2:30-9:00 pm 

Where: ROM - Bronfman Hall, Level 2 

Admission: $20 (youth), $25 (educators) 









Kids pumped up at last year's TREC festival! 
 



 

Kids' World of Energy Festival  

 

EcoSchools Section 4: Questions 4.4,4.5,4.6,4.7

This sixth annual Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative  (TREC) Education festival helps students make the connection between energy and the environment, and inspires them to work towards a more energy-consciousness world. Workshops involve science, green technologies, art, and active participation.

   

Grades: 5-6 

When: Wed., May 8th-Friday, May 10th 

Where:  Evergreen Brick Works   

Cost: $150 per class; max. 30 students per class. If you cannot pay the fee, you can discuss the opportunity for receiving a bursary.  

 

Registration is now open. Register early to get your first choice of day.


 

 

   

 

Resources for Rethinking (R4R): Step Outside

 

The early April entry by this gifted naturalist
reminds us that April is frog-and salamander-mating month. If you are near enough to damp, still ground, once night-time temperatures hit 8C you might be able to witness this special sign of spring. Too bad that most mating calls happen outside of school hours, from dusk to full dark! 

 

Environmental education programs at 

Rouge Valley Conservation Centre

 

EcoSchools Section 4: Questions 4.3, 4.4, 4.5

 

It's time to get your students outside! Choose from one of many interactive environmental workshops (grades K-12) in either the Nature or Energy themed programs. All educational programs integrate the Science and Technology Life Systems curriculum links--Characteristics and Needs of Living Things, Growth and Changes in Plants and Animals, Habitats and Communities, Diversity of Living Things, and Interactions within Ecosystems.

 

Program Cost: $8 per student (funding is available for high needs schools)

Questions: Email [email protected]

Details: Click here for more information 


   


Into Nature: A Guide to 

Teaching in Nearby Nature (elementary)


Our Instructional Leader Pam Miller liked this resource from the Back to Nature Network because first and foremost it is highly accessible to all. Pleasingly designed for easy reading, its purpose is to help teachers see how they can teach all subjects on the school ground or in nearby nature. Nature 101 helps with the transition from the regular classroom, describing five phases for gradually moving to an outdoor learning space. Nature2Go offers 50 short activities with an index to grade-by-grade curriculum links. The Lessons section contains 5 lessons for each elementary level with big ideas and guiding questions, curriculum connections, teacher background, instructions on delivery, and recommendations about what to assess.
 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for the design consultation form.

 

 

NEW: Did you know that any school-funded  

projects on your grounds that require a Board construction crew must have a design  

consultation before they can be implemented?

 

 

 


Changing your school grounds?


EcoSchools Section 3: Question 3.4
 


Request a design consultation from our staff!  
Gail and Bruce love their work! 


Make sure that your school taps into Gail Bornstein and Bruce Day's 35 years of experience in school ground greening design when taking on a school greening project! They will come to your school to provide your team with a design consultation focused on your ideas. These visits are lively discussions happening right on your school ground about how to plot your path to a successful outcome! All changes to grounds need Board approval through a design consultation.





  

Sat. April 6th - Sat., July 13th and Sat.,
Sept., 7th - Sat., Oct.6th
 

  

City of Toronto  

Community Environment Days

 

Environment Days let you recycle a lot of what can't go in your blue toter (electronics, A-V equipment, household hazardous waste),
purchase rain barrels, donate items in good
condition for re-use, and pick up free leaf
compost for gardens.

For more information about Environment Days,
click here  

 

Find an event near to where you live or work.

 

April clean-up events

 

EcoSchools Section 3: Question 3.1

 

 

Friday, April 19th: Clean Toronto Together 

Saturday, April 20th: participate in a local community clean-up

Monday, April 22nd: Make it part of your Earth Day celebrations

April 1st-26th: Toronto Park Clean-ups. Call 311 and ask for the supervisor in charge of the park you want to clean up. 

 

For more information, check out Direct Line or the Clean City Community Clean-up Guide. Ask your caretaker for gloves and bags.  

Register your event to receive a certificate and for EcoSchools certification.


   

The Green Bin program comes with brand new posters and labels!

 

 


The Green Bin is coming to schools!

 
EcoSchools Section 2.2: Questions 2.2.1, 2.2.2Green Bin

AT LAST--schools can now be part of the City Green Bin Program! For details, see the March 18th Direct Line notice. Invitations to participate will be emailed to ALL principals and caretakers between March 21 and May 2. Actual start date of implementation still to be determined, but the program is expected to begin this  spring.


 

 

 

 

 

Canada's environmental performance in the news again! 

 

Desertification has been in our news a lot  

recently. Canada has withdrawn from the  

UN Convention on Desertification, criticizing  

the slow and uneven pace of the application

of its research. This decision is newsworthy

for a number of reasons, not the least because we are the only country of 194 countries and  

the European Union to withdraw our annual  

support ($300,000) of an inquiry into one of  

the major problems on the planet.

 

 

Click here to see Lake Chad drying up.

 

 

Ecological literacy: "How to green the desert and reverse climate change"
 

Ecologist Allan Savory's methodical, low-key TED talk

carries an astounding message of hope. He believes that restoring the soil in half the world's deserts could absorb enough carbon to return the

 

Areas of desertification worldwide 

atmosphere to

its pre-industrial state. His painful decision as a young conservationist to kill 40,000 elephants to reduce trampling the land of Africa's national forests led to his lifelong commitment to study the causes of desertification. The 'before' and 'after' shots of deserts he has worked in tell the story. Don't pass up this 20 minutes of superb teaching through ecological reasoning! And then take a look at the April 7th Toronto Star story that describes more usual methods of combating desertification in Africa. Both pay attention to nature's ecology, but start from different assumptions. Lots of food for critical thought! 


 

From the editors' desk.....  




Global Voices on desertification

Take a look at Craig and Marc Keilburger's latest Global Voices column "The human toll of desertification" It includes background information and elementary and secondary teaching resources to help your students delve into the issue--looking at its causes and wide-spread effects, how human activity plays a role, and perhaps most importantly, Canada's reasoning behind its recent withdrawal of support from the UN Convention on Combatting Desertification. Also includes links to the Ontario Curriculum.










Quick links

 

Critical thinking and EcoSchools certification  

 

Thinking is hard work. Critical thinking--where we poke at 'received truths' and look at underlying assumptions--is even harder. The critical thinking that Allan Savory brings to desertification makes us see another possible 'solution'--trampling by large animal herds--in a new light. The slowing of EcoSchools activity this year has made us look at some underlying assumptions about certification. How important is the level achieved? If a school drops from platinum to gold, or from gold to silver,  or from silver to bronze in this unusual year, how much does that matter?

 

Many people have said to us, "We want to have an audit, even though we know we haven't done as much this year." In these cases, participation in the program can spur growth. It's not unlike student evaluations--if you see an annual audit as summative (assessment of learning) rather than formative (assessment as learning) then the outcome has a different meaning. Having an audit this year even if you know you haven't done as much provides a wonderful way to assess where your program is currently and how you can focus your planning efforts for next year.

 

What we need is a deepening commitment to schooling that links student achievement, health, and well-being to environmental thinking and action that lasts a lifetime.  

 

Very best wishes

 

The EcoSchools Communication Team
Eleanor Dudar, Jenn Vetter, and Diana Suzuki