Thirty-three Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) elementary and secondary schools have been certified as EcoSchools for 2015. This is a record number of winning schools and includes seven schools that participated for the first time.
“We are proud of the hard work done by staff and students at all winning schools in actively promoting environmental sustainability and stewardship,” said Karen Acton, environmental sustainability lead for the board.
Two schools deserve a special mention for achieving the prized platinum level.
Victoria Terrace Public School and Centennial CVI have been EcoSchools for at least five years, and this both year achieved a high level of points in all sections, as well as a minimum of 80 per cent in a special platinum section.
Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education and certification program that helps school communities develop both ecological literacy and environmentally responsible citizenship and reduce their environmental footprint.
Schools focus on six key areas of achievement: teamwork and leadership, energy conservation, waste minimization, school ground greening and curriculum, and environmental stewardship.
Depending on the number of points attained, schools can achieve bronze, silver, gold or platinum certification.
This year’s Wellington County EcoSchools are:
Secondary
– Centre Wellington DHS, Erin DHS, Norwell SS (Palmerston), Wellington Heights SS (Mount Forest);
Elementary (Wellington County)
– Aberfoyle PS, Brisbane PS, Erin PS, Kenilworth PS and Rockwood Centennial PS; and
Elementary (Centre Wellington)
– Elora PS, J.D. Hogarth PS, John Black PS and Victoria Terrace PS.
