Rainbow Board one of three in Canada to achieve 100 percent EcoSchools certification

Rainbow District School Board is leading the way in environmental learning and climate action. EcoSchools Canada has officially confirmed that all Rainbow Schools have been certified once again this year. Rainbow District School Board is one of only three school boards in Canada to have achieved 100 per cent certification in the 2024-2025 school year.

“On behalf of EcoSchools Canada, I extend warm congratulations to the students, staff and community of Rainbow District School Board on achieving 100% EcoSchools Certification,” said Sierra Frank, Co-Executive Director of EcoSchools Canada. “This exceptional milestone reflects your continued commitment to sustainability and highlights your leadership in environmental education – both within Canada and across the global EcoSchools network.”

Rainbow Schools earned 25 Platinum, 9 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze certifications. The number of schools that qualified for the highest level of certification doubled last year. Rainbow District School Board added another school to the Platinum designation in the current school year.

A total of 35 schools were awarded a Project 2050 badge, 39 schools were awarded a Litter Less Campaign badge, 31 schools were awarded a 5 years certified badge, and five schools were awarded a 10 years certified badge. Schools that earn a Project 2050 badge are celebrated for taking meaningful climate action, such as packing waste-free lunches, switching off unnecessary lights, and planting trees to green their communities.

Rainbow District School Board Chair David Farrow commended schools on their outstanding achievement. “Students and staff continue to work with purpose and with passion to address climate change,” he said. “We have instilled in students and the school communities that we serve eco-friendly practices that will last a lifetime.”

“With our ongoing focus on sustainability, our schools have reduced their carbon footprint,” added Director of Education Bruce Bourget who praised the Board’s Environmental Education Committee for its leadership and all schools for their stewardship. “Our schools continue to demonstrate that the smallest of changes can have profound impacts.”

He added: “Students are adopting the values and behaviours required to achieve sustainability, transferring what they are learning in the classroom into their homes and into their communities. This generation is leading the way, paving the path forward for those who will follow in their footsteps.”

According to EcoSchools Canada, any level of certification is an achievement to be proud of. It indicates that a school is taking action on climate change while empowering students to make climate-conscious decisions in their daily lives, and to share these learnings with their families and communities.

The significance of the certifications is best reflected in the overall impact these environmental efforts have on the planet by supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – 7,668 students participated in the Great Gulp, 467 classrooms actively conserved energy; 2,299 students used active and sustainable transport, there were 526 GOOS bins (Good on one Side) regularly in use in schools, and 132.3 tons of CO2 was sequestered from school greening activities.

Rainbow Schools promoted responsible consumption and production, climate action, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, and sustainable cities and communities.

The top 10 environmental actions that occurred in Rainbow Schools are good on one side paper recycling, Earth Day, switch off lights and devices, community clean-up, waste-free lunch, Take Me Outside Day, The Great Gulp, National Sweater Day, divert textile waste, and create your own action.

Environmental Education and Sustainability is a priority embedded in Rainbow District School Board’s Strategic Directions for 2022 to 2027. The EcoSchools commitment is the cornerstone of the Board’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Guided by five key principles – promotion of global stewardship through EcoSchools Canada Certification practices, inclusive of Indigenous perspectives, evidence based and data driven initiatives, supporting educators with knowledge and resources, and working closely with community partners –  the plan aims to raise student, educator, staff and parent/guardian awareness of environmentally responsible practices; embed eco policies within the Board’s strategic planning, supporting sustainability; and establish environmental leadership groups to empower others to act as responsible environmental citizens.

EcoSchools provides benchmarks for environmental learning and action in Canada, instilling in students the proficiencies, perspectives and practices to help them become environmentally responsible citizens inside and outside of the classroom. Certification recognizes achievement in six key areas: ecological literacy, energy conservation, environmental stewardship, school ground greening, teamwork and leadership, and waste minimization.

Monthly environmental challenges, which include an Indigenous component, have proven to be an effective way to broaden the scope of education and environmental action. Through an Anishinaabe perspective, students have the opportunity to experience and understand profound customs and teachings to place an even greater value on the protection of our planet, our home, Mother Earth “Shkagamikwe”. Relevant Anishinaabemowin reinforces appropriate action to support the environmental focus for the month.

Examples of Environmental Challenges for the 2024-2025 school year include Bike, Walk and Roll to School, Take me Outside Day, Waste Reduction Week, Paper Free Day, Waste-Free lunches, Energy Challenge, Fisheries, Conservation and Water Awareness and Earth Week. This year, the Board expanded its EcoSummit to offer more workshops to more participants.

-30-

Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217.