As the school year draws to a close, EcoSchools Canada has officially confirmed that all Rainbow Schools have been certified. Rainbow District School Board is one of only five school boards in Canada to have achieved this distinction in the 2023-2024 school year.
"On behalf of EcoSchools Canada, I would like to congratulate the students, school staff and community members who contributed to Rainbow District School Board's outstanding certification results this year," said Ryan Dyment, Co-Executive Director of EcoSchools Canada. "By certifying 100% of their schools, Rainbow District School Board has established a culture of conservation and respect for the environment across their school network and can take pride in being a sustainability leader in both Canada and worldwide."
Students from Little Current Public School join together to prepare the schoolyard garden boxes for planting.
In 2023-2024, Rainbow Schools earned 24 Platinum, 11 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze and 1 Virtual school certification. Rainbow District School Board more than doubled the number of schools that reached the highest level of certification - Platinum - over the past two years.
"This is a tremendous accomplishment," said Chair David Farrow who commended all schools on behalf of Trustees. "When this Board made a commitment to address climate change, schools embraced the challenge, and students and staff worked with purpose and with passion to make a difference."
He added: "This is the second year in which schools have achieved 100 per cent certification. We have instilled in students and the school communities that we serve eco-friendly practices that will last a lifetime."
"With our ongoing focus on sustainability, our schools have reduced their carbon footprint," said Director of Education Bruce Bourget who praised the Board's Environmental Education Committee for its leadership and all schools for their stewardship."
According to EcoSchools Canada, any level of certification is an achievement to be proud of. It indicates that a school is taking action on climate change while empowering students to make climate-conscious decisions in their daily lives, and to share these learnings with their families and communities.
The significance of the certifications, however, is best reflected in the overall impact these environmental efforts have on the planet by supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - an average per school of 516 kilograms of waste diverted from landfill and 6 tons of CO2 emissions sequestered from school ground greening activities. In addition, an average per school of 245 students participated in actions related to water conservation, 18 classrooms had their energy efficiency optimized and 181 students used active and sustainable transportation. Rainbow Schools promoted responsible consumption and production, climate action, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, and sustainable cities and communities.
The top 10 environmental actions that occurred in Rainbow Schools are good on one side paper recycling, Earth Day, community clean-up, waste-free lunch, switch off lights and devices, Take Me Outside Day, National Sweater Day, The Great Gulp, indoor gardening and greenhouses, and create your own action.
Environmental Education and Sustainability is a priority embedded in Rainbow District School Board's Strategic Directions for 2022 to 2027. The EcoSchools commitment is the cornerstone of the Board's Climate Change Action Plan.
Guided by five key principles - promotion of global stewardship through EcoSchools Canada Certification practices, inclusive of Indigenous perspectives, evidence based and data driven initiatives, supporting educators with knowledge and resources, and working closely with community partners - the plan aims to raise student, educator, staff and parent/guardian awareness of environmentally responsible practices; embed eco policies within the Board's strategic planning, supporting sustainability; and establish environmental leadership groups to empower others to act as responsible environmental citizens.
EcoSchools provides benchmarks for environmental learning and action in Canada, instilling in students the proficiencies, perspectives and practices to help them become environmentally responsible citizens inside and outside of the classroom. Certification recognizes achievement in six key areas: ecological literacy, energy conservation, environmental stewardship, school ground greening, teamwork and leadership, and waste minimization.
Monthly environmental challenges, which include an Indigenous component, have proven to be an effective way to broaden the scope of education and environmental action. Through an Anishinaabe perspective, students have the opportunity to experience and understand profound customs and teachings to place an even greater value on the protection of our planet, our home, Mother Earth "Shkagamikwe". Relevant Anishinaabemowin reinforces appropriate action to support the environmental focus for the month.
Examples of Environmental Challenges for the 2023-2024 school year include World Environmental Health Day, World Food Day, World Paper Free Day, Youth Climate Action Day, Reduce Harmful Single-Use Plastics, Energy Challenge Month, National Sweater Day, Canada Water Week, Earth Week, Compost Awareness Week and Canadian Environment Week.
