Rainbow Schools receive Healthy Community Recognition Award for Go Green

Rainbow District School Board Vice-Chair Dena Morrison, Lively District Secondary School Vice-Principal David Wiwchar and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School student Dax Law accepted the Healthy Community Recognition Award on behalf of Rainbow Schools. The award is presented to individuals or groups who have shown exemplary leadership and dedication toward building a healthy community in Greater Sudbury.

The City of Greater Sudbury’s Healthy Community Cabinet has recognized Rainbow District School Board for its Go Green initiatives. Rainbow Schools received a Healthy Community Recognition Award on February 16, 2012.

“Fostering a culture of conservation, implementing green technology, encouraging eco-friendly practices, and developing global citizens who care about the world in which they live have made Rainbow Schools leaders in education for sustainable development,” said Board Chair Doreen Dewar. “We are proud of our accomplishments and welcomed the opportunity to share our success story with the community.”

Board Vice-Chair Dena Morrison, Lively District Secondary School Vice-Principal David Wiwchar and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School student Dax Law accepted the Healthy Community Recognition Award on behalf of Rainbow Schools. The award is presented to individuals or groups who have shown exemplary leadership and dedication toward building a healthy community in Greater Sudbury.

Rainbow District School Board has received national and international recognition for its green schools. “The philosophy behind green schools is not only to conserve natural resources and minimize operating expenses, but also to encourage learning in the classroom and beyond,” said Chair Dewar. “These priorities, when combined with environmental awareness, will create a world where everyone benefits from the values and behaviours that are required to achieve sustainability.”

Valley View Public School, which opened in 2007, was the first green school in Northern Ontario. The year after it opened, Valley View Public School was among the top performing schools in Canada. On average, top performing schools use 40 per cent less energy. The Board opened its second green school, Walden Public School, in 2009. Walden Public School was showcased at an international conference on sustainability last fall.

Construction of a new green school on the MacLeod Public School site will begin this spring. Green features will include a geothermal heating and cooling system, a displacement ventilation and heat recovery system, radiant floor heating, high insulation values in windows, walls and floors, and energy efficient plumbing and lighting fixtures. The roof will be constructed to allow for the installation of solar panels at a later date.

Green technology has also been implemented in a number of schools as part of ongoing renewal efforts. This includes new windows, more efficient heating systems and lighting fixtures, waterless urinals, low flush toilets and improved insulation.

Schools are promoting waste reduction in the classroom, regreening and beautifying their school yards, cleaning up their neighbourhoods, and participating in social-minded activities on local and global levels.

For more information about sustainability in Rainbow Schools, visit: http://www.rainbowschools.ca/GoGreen/

-30-

Media Contact:

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