Holy Cross Strives to Become an EcoSchool!

Holy Cross has joined the effort of several other schools in our school board to become an EcoSchool. The program began last year when seven elementary schools in the ALCDSB signed up to be part of a pilot project. This year several more schools have been added to the list including at least three high schools.

The EcoSchool project provides an excellent opportunity for Holy Cross students and staff to accept their responsibility as a Roman Catholic school community to promote respect and appreciation for God's Creation. In caring for the environment around us we believe we are showing respect for God who has entrusted the world to our care.

What is an EcoSchool?

Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education program that addresses both how the schools are run and what students learn. It has been designed collaboratively by school boards for school boards to incorporate environmental education as well as environmentally responsible action into the school setting. Student success—in both academics and positive contributions to society—is the focus of Ontario EcoSchools. The program aims to influence young people during a formative period of life, and affect an exponential impact as children take a culture of conservation home with them.
The four main areas that define an EcoSchool are:

1. Energy conservation
2. Waste minimization
3. School ground greening
4. Ecological literacy

Since the 2006, over 100 schools across Ontario have become certified EcoSchools and more are being added each year.

Why become an EcoSchool?

Environmental awareness and concerns are rapidly increasing in today’s society. As educators of tomorrows leaders we have an important role in instilling values of stewardship of the earth. Our reductions in waste production and energy consumption will also lessen our own impact on the environment. Finally, there is an economic benefit to reducing energy consumption and waste production as savings can be passed on to the school board and ultimately the schools.

Steps to become a certified EcoSchool.

The EcoSchool program involves a five step process listed below:

1. Establish an EcoTeam
2. Assess the school's needs
3. Identify priorities and develop an action plan
4. Implement the action plan
5. Monitor and evaluate progress

Once the school has met a sufficient number of criteria set out by the EcoSchool’s program, the school will assessed by a member of the EcoSchools program from York University. If the schools meets the required criteria it then becomes a certified EcoSchool.

At what stage is Holy Cross currently in the EcoSchool process?

Holy Cross has been working towards certification for two years now and plans to apply for certification this spring. The areas where we have made progress include the establishment of a school wide paper, pop can, and plastic bottle recycling system, the setup of a recycling center that collects used cel phones, batteries, ink catridges, and glasses. Holy Cross has also reduced its waste by making our spring arts and sports banquets waste free events. One area of Ecoschools that we are currently working on is to encourage staff and students to turn off lights and computer monitors when not in use. To find out more information about current and past ‘EcoCorner’ sections included in HC’s monthly news letter, select the EcoSchool News button at the top of this page.