Annual Report
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l report 2014-15 annua OUR VIBRANT NETWORK english public school board english catholic school board french-language school board OF ALL % SCHOOLS 36 IN THE PROVINCE ARE CERTIFIED 882,000 1,765 STUDENTS ECOSCHOOLS ENGAGED CERTIFIED 52 886 SCHOOL BOARDS EDUCATORS SUPPORTED TRAINED 2 letter from the executive director getting inspired: every day What a year it has been! My personal highlight Over the next few years, we will evaluate and from 2014-15 was the opportunity to celebrate communicate how certified EcoSchools reduce GHG a decade of environmental achievement in emissions, lower energy consumption, and minimize EcoSchools across the province. waste. We will also evaluate how the program fosters successful student leadership. I joined the Ontario EcoSchools team in its early days, and have seen the program grow from All of these initiatives make it exciting to come to 108 certified schools in 2005 to 1,765 in 2015. work every day. I am constantly inspired by the In order to support our growing community, we unique ways school communities breathe life into have transferred the certification process online, the program. expanded our training opportunities for EcoTeams, So thank you to every student who enthusiastically and encouraged environmental learning and action joins their EcoTeam, the teachers who advocate for across all levels of the school system. ecoliteracy, the principals who lead by example, the We are dreaming big these days and we are excited board representatives who champion their schools, to launch a new three year strategic plan. This and the funders who believe in our potential. plan will enhance student engagement through I am excited to see what our community will achieve our second annual EcoAction Challenge and an in 2016 and beyond. inaugural spring EcoSummit in 2016. We will also build staff capacity to better support participating schools, and strengthen collaborations with other environmental organizations. One aspect of our mission is to showcase schools and EcoTeams. In 2014-15 this involved highlighting a decade of school best practices in the “Get Elanor Waslander Executive Director Inspired” book, and holding school celebrations. Table of Contents 1 Letter from the Executive Director | 2 New Initiatives 2014-15 | 5 EcoSchools in Action | 6 Annual Certification 9 Supporting Strong EcoTeams | 10 Environmental Toolkits and Resources | 12 Thank You | 13 Financials 1 new initiatives 2014-15 GETTING STARTED VIDEO features students from Toronto Ouest in CSViamonde and was created to introduce schools to the Ontario EcoSchools program. EXPERT WEBINARS were hosted on active transportation, inquiry- based learning, and school food gardens. The webinars were led by community experts and engaged 157 participants from 119 schools. GET INSPIRED BOOK was published as a collection of best practices from certified EcoSchools over the last decade. Each page provides a photo and tips on how to successfully implement all six sections of the program. 2 ECOACTION CHALLENGE was held for the first time in June 2015. 86 schools from 32 school boards shared their EcoActions for the chance to win great prizes and participants generated nearly 400 #EcoAction2015 Tweets. FRENCH-LANGUAGE COMMUNITY grew to 69 schools, increasing engagement by 33%. We warmly welcome participation from schools in the Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivières. MINISTRY OF ENERGY PARTNERSHIP highlighted energy conservation practices in schools. Certified Ontario EcoSchools use an average of 12% less electricity than comparable non-certified schools.* * TDSB Energy Management Program Review, 2006 3 “ We are helping the world improve one action at a time.” grade 3 student 4 ecoschools in action In 2014-15, over 44,000 students participated on EcoTeams at certified EcoSchools and carried out some impressive initiatives. Here’s a taste of the environmental learning and actions that took place across the province. UNIONVILLE PUBLIC SchOOL in York Region DSB won the 2015 EcoAction Challenge after students actively engaged in a full week of outdoor inquiry- based learning. DUNBARTON SECONDARY SchOOL in Durham DSB was named Greenest School on Earth by the Global Coalition for Green Schools. This was the first time this honour was bestowed in the Western Hemisphere. ÉCOLE CATHOLIQUE FRANCO-SUPÉRIEUR in CSDC des Aurores boréales celebrated their beautiful new mural. Created with the help of community artists, the flowers in the mural were made from students’ handprints. ACADÉMIE CATHOLIQUE ANGE-GABRIEL in Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est created innovative waste sorting bins. This year, the EcoTeam also planted new trees in their outdoor classroom, actively using the green space. ST. MARGUERIte d’YOUVILLE in Hamilton Wentworth Catholic DSB was named the 2015 Greenest School by the Canadian Green Building Council. The school has reduced waste by 90% through daily litterless lunches, recycling and composting, and banning plastic water bottles. 44,000 STUDENT LEADERS PARTICIPATED IN ECOTEAMS. 5 annual certification Schools are assessed based on a provincial standard with an emphasis on student leadership. Each year, schools apply for and receive Ontario EcoSchools certification by demonstrating achievement in all six sections of the program. Participating schools are certified at Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels. TEAMWORK ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEADERSHIP STEWARDSHIP The certification ENERGY cycle involves support and CONSERVATION CURRICULUM training throughout the school year, an online application, related resources, and spring school visits. Regular research and evaluation ensures that the program is constantly being updated and is in line with current best practices. WASTE SCHOOL GROUND MINIMIZATION GREENING IN 2014-15, ONTARIO ECOSCHOOLS CERTIFIED 1,765 SCHOOLS FROM 52 SCHOOL BOARDS. 6 “ The program provides us a way to measure success step-by-step and keeps us on our toes.” secondary school teacher 7 “ The program helped me grow and learn as an educator and citizen and be more aware of the impact a school has on the environment.” elementary school teacher 8 supporting strong ecoteams Through workshops, webinars, and conferences, Ontario EcoSchools equips EcoTeams with the tools needed to certify. The program aims to engage EcoTeams in meaningful action, integrate environmental education into every subject and grade level, and reduce the ecological footprint of schools. Ontario EcoSchools offers full-day workshops and webinars for educators across the province. These training sessions have received extensive positive feedback and in 2015, we trained more than 500 teachers from over 300 schools. We also hosted our annual school board-level conference, which provided opportunities for dialogue and the exchange of innovative ideas. 886 EDUCATORS ATTENDED 22 TRAINING SESSIONS IN 2014-15. 9 environmental toolkits and resources Ontario EcoSchools offers free resources and tools to support environmental learning and action inside and outside of the classroom. In 2014-15 we created Environmental Stewardship Campaign Kits for three popular campaigns: Earth Hour, Active Transportation, and School Ground Clean-Ups. These kits include campaign communication materials, whole school activities, and learning activities for grades K-12. Each year we offer new resources to enhance learning and action throughout the program. 95% OF OUR ANNUAL WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS RATED OUR ENVIRONMENTAL TOOLKITS AND RESOURCES AS USEFUL OR VERY USEFUL. 10 “W e are having a positive change on the earth, and I am excited to be a part of that change.” grade 10 student 11 thank you The work of Ontario EcoSchools is made possible by a dedicated community of supporters and volunteers. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed financial and/or in-kind resources to support environmental education and action in Ontario schools. Funders and Sponsors Collaborators Heidi Campbell, evergreen Marie-Josée Carrier, cascades inc. Andrea Cousineau, natural curiosity Erica Duque, region of peel Tim Grant, green teacher Ontario Ministry of Education Sunday Harrison, green thumbs Ontario Ministry of Energy Bill Kilburn, back to nature network TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Debby Martin, evergreen Cascades Inc. Jennifer McGowan, metrolinx Justin Nadeau, toronto district school board Jess Pelow, student, york university Partners Sonia Sanita, york catholic district school board York University and york region district school board Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Steering Committee In-Kind Contributors Lewis Molot, Chair, york university Green Teacher Vicky An, toronto and region conservation authority Scholastic Education Ron Ballentine, halton district school board Warren’s Waterless Printing Inc. Lindsay Bunce, toronto and region conservation authority Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Suzanne Burwell, halton district school board (University of Toronto) Judy Gould, durham district school board Toronto District School Board Timothy Leduc, york university Erin Mutch, thames valley district school board Nathalie Rudner, york region district school board Rachel Stewart, toronto and region conservation authority Shari Typer, halton catholic district school board Jenn Vetter, toronto district school board Erin Wood, toronto district school board Fund Development Committee Lindsay Bunce, earth day canada Tovah Barocas, earth rangers Ontario EcoSchools Staff Assessors Carly Bardikoff Amanda Ammon Scott Dobbin Kelly Laforet Melissa Benner