Celebrating EcoSchools in a Calendar
Students at Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School in Toronto have created a beautiful school year calendar highlighting all the changes their school made in order to become an EcoSchool.

The Green Team chose twelve environmental issues that they wanted to focus on and created artwork with their families to share their message. They worked with plasticene which was then reused in classrooms.

The calendars are used in each classroom, helping students take action such as conserving energy, walking and riding to school, packing waste-free lunches etc. Specific details of the project were announced through the school's weekly newsletter and students are engaged in monthly discussions focusing on the theme for the month.

For Paul Penna, the EcoTeam is another branch of their framework of Tikkun Olam which is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world".

Flip through all the calendar pages here.

EcoSchool Student Leadership Conference in Guelph
In April, 70 student leaders from seven South Guelph schools gathered for an EcoSchool Student Leadership Conference to share their ideas about how to promote environmental responsibility through the EcoSchools program.

The student conference included an opportunity for students to share their school's successes and challenges around the four pillars of Waste Minimization, Energy Conservation, School Yard Greening and Ecological Literacy. Grade twelve students from the Headwaters Program organized the conference and provided their facilitation skills, motivational energy, and musical inspiration.

Five of the schools are working towards Ontario EcoSchool Certification for the first time this year.

EcoSchools Recognition Celebrations
Many boards will be celebrating their school's achievements with a celebration. Peel, Waterloo and Halton district school boards have chosen to use these celebrations to give students a chance to deepen their leadership and environmental learning. Here is what they are planning to do:

Ecofest - Peel
Peel District School Board is hosting a free outdoor festival in June called EcoFest.

Students will have an opportunity to present their exceptional local community-based environmental stewardship actions as well as perform music in a stewardship tent designated for exhibiting student achievement. This tent’s schedule is completely student created, organized and planned!
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OTF Summer Program 2011: Going Green Learning Goes Outdoors Workshops – Register by June 6th
In the Learning Goes Outdoors workshops, teachers will collaborate and explore learning in built, cultural, and natural communities through a professional inquiry approach. The questions and challenges that participants identify will help shape the program. Participants are also asked to bring their experiences to share with others. Together, participants will learn how to use the environment as the context for integrating all curriculum areas.

Cost is only $50 and includes program, meals and accommodation. This program is also offered in French.

Register online by June 6th. For more details visit the OTF Going Green webpage.

Ontario Launches New Waste Reduction Website for Schools
Just in time to help you with your planning for next year, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment has launched their new 3Rs for Managing School Waste website. Specifically designed to help schools develop or enhance their waste management programs, this website offers a collection of communication tools that will help school leaders educate, motivate and influence waste reduction behaviour change among teachers and students. 

Some of the tools include downloadable posters, collection bin labels, customizable recognition certificates and fun program ideas. You’ll also find step-by-step guidance and links to many helpful resources specific to schools in Ontario.

Rivers to Oceans Week
The Canadian Wildlife Foundation is celebrating Rivers to Oceans Week with a new website dedicated to turning the tide on the threats to Canada’s waterways and the life they sustain. The site has video resources about the many threats facing our waterways and ways to act to protect our waterways as well as teaching toolkits.