What’s happening in Rainbow Schools?
Rainbow Schools turn down the heat for Sweater Day on February 7
Rainbow District School Board is turning down the heat and inviting all students and staff to wear a sweater on Thursday, February 7, 2019.
“Sweater Day is intended to raise awareness about renewable energy and change behaviour around energy consumption,” says Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “It’s a fun way for everyone to get involved in the conversation about climate change, as students learn the significance of how wearing a sweater promotes sustainability.”
As part of Sweater Day, schools have been given some cozy ideas to educate students, including the following question: “Canada’s Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on the planet. How does the temperature of your home affect the temperature of the polar bear’s Arctic habitat?”
“We want students to make the connection between their thermostat, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, melting sea ice and Arctic wildlife,” says Director Blaseg. “We also want students to recognize that fashion has an environmental footprint that recycling clothes helps to reduce.”
To reduce their fashion footprint, students are encouraged to begin a clothing drive by donating unused clothing to a local charity or trading clothes with a classmate.
Staff and students are also invited to stay warm by selling hot chocolate or soup. All funds raised can be donated to help support the fight against climate change.
This Go Green initiative is part of the Environmental Committee’s ongoing efforts to encourage sustainable practices and increase awareness about global warming.
The Environmental Committee has been issuing monthly challenges to staff and students in Rainbow Schools since the start of the school year.
What will next month’s challenge be?
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Media Contact:
Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217.