September 25: Youth Conference features webscast with Severn Suzuki

Some 250 students from Rainbow Schools will gather at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School on Thursday, September 25th to participate in the Rainbow District School Board’s first Sustainability Youth Conference.

They will network and share ideas to begin developing sustainability action plans for their schools. The day will feature a webcast with Severn Suzuki, one of Canada’s foremost voices on protecting our planet.

Students and staff from Sudbury Secondary School, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Espanola High School, A.B. Ellis Public School, R.L. Beattie Public School, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School and Markstay Public School will showcase what they are doing to “go green”.

During the morning, students will hear from experts and peers about sustainable development, climate change, and solutions to environmental challenges.

During the afternoon, local community members will support students as they develop sustainable action plans for their schools. They will talk about resources, strategies and tools needed to make the plan happen.

“Students will be empowered to take positive action to ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come,” said Rainbow District School Board Director of Education Jean Hanson. “The Youth Conference reminds us that we do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.”

At 1 pm, students from Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School will gather in their front courtyard to plant a tree commemorating the first Sustainability Youth Conference at their school.
 
The Youth Conference will serve as a prelude to Rainbow District School Board’s Professional Activity Day on Friday, September 26th. Educators will gather at Valley View Public School and Confederation Secondary School to learn more about education for sustainable development from environmental, economic and social perspectives.

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Media Contact:
Sharon Speir, Superintendent of Schools,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7264.