What’s happening in Rainbow Schools?
Sudbury Students Learning to Go Green
NEWS
Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy and MPP for Sudbury, visited MacLeod Public School Wednesday, May 24, 2017 to highlight actions taken by students to conserve energy, raise awareness about the importance of conservation and reduce their school’s environmental footprint.
MacLeod Public School joined Ontario EcoSchools last fall, an education and certification program that helps schools develop ecological literacy and practices to become environmentally responsible citizens.
The school’s EcoTeam includes 15 students from grades four to six. Together, they have encouraged energy conservation and participated in numerous environmental initiatives including Lights Out Canada, an annual event during which schools turn off their lights and encourage the community to do the same at home. The team has also taken part in Turn Down the Heat/ Turn Up the Fun, an event aimed at raising awareness about renewable energy and energy consumption in schools.
Conservation is the cleanest and least costly energy resource, and offers consumers a means to reduce their electricity bills.
Putting conservation first is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy, and help people in their everyday lives.
QUOTES
“I’m thrilled to learn about students here in Sudbury promoting conservation and energy literacy. Through Ontario EcoSchools, we are raising today’s students to be tomorrow’s conservation and environmental leaders.”
— Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy and MPP for Sudbury
“Rainbow Schools are leaders in sustainability. Students are gaining the knowledge, skills, perspectives and practices they need to become environmentally responsible citizens. We are proud of our achievements and will continue to make sustainability a priority. We thank Ontario EcoSchools for supporting and recognizing our efforts.”
— Doreen Dewar, Chair, Rainbow District School Board
“MacLeod Public School is proud to be Rainbow District School Board’s third green school. Since the launch of our new school in 2014, we have worked diligently to make sustainability part of our everyday lives. Our EcoTeam, the Earth Guardians, provide the student leadership. The entire school has embraced sustainability through conservation and education.”
— Lynn MacDonell, Principal, MacLeod Public School
“Becoming an EcoSchool requires an entire school community to work together to conserve energy, reduce waste and green their school grounds while engaging in environmental learning and action. The program’s student-centered approach builds leadership skills and promotes positive change within and beyond school walls.”
— Elanor Waslander, Executive Director, Ontario EcoSchools
QUICK FACTS
• The province’s investment of approximately $1.4 million in the Ontario EcoSchools program is supporting initiatives that will educate students on ways to conserve energy and help fight climate change.
• In 2015-16, Ontario EcoSchools certified 1,720 schools in 55 school boards across the province. The program supports close to 50,000 student EcoTeam leaders to take action and learn about the environment.
• Based on a 2016 Sustainable Schools report, seven of the Top 10 Energy Performing School Boards in Ontario participate in the Ontario EcoSchools program and many of them have cited the program as a key strategy for continued engagement of staff and students in energy conservation practices.
• School boards access the EcoSchools program free of charge. Ontario EcoSchools operates with support from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Energy and is administered by York University.
• According to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), for every dollar invested in energy efficiency programs, Ontarians save two dollars.
LEARN MORE
• See how Ontario is putting Conservation First
• Visit www.ontarioecoschools.org
Colin Nekolaichuk
Minister’s Office, Ministry of Energy
[email protected]
416-325-2690
Natasha Demetriades
Ministry of Energy,
[email protected]
416-327-3855
https://news.ontario.ca/newsroomDisponible en français