The Halton District School Board is pleased to announce that 49 schools for the 2016-17 school year have been certified by the Ontario EcoSchools program, which recognizes and celebrates schools for their environmental learning and action.
In Halton, seven schools achieved Platinum, 27 schools were awarded Gold level, 14 Silver level and one Bronze level. In addition, M.M. Robinson High School become the first secondary school to be certified Platinum – the highest level a school can achieve – while six schools received their five-year seals recognizing their on-going EcoSchools certification.
Under the EcoSchools program, schools are required to apply for certification annually. Certification is based on a provincial standard established by 12 years of benchmarking.
"We are very proud of the work our EcoTeams have achieved this year, and congratulations are especially due to the students, teachers, principals and custodians for all of their work to help attain EcoSchools certification," said Suzanne Burwell, the Board's Environmental Sustainability Coordinator. “Students learn best when they are given the opportunity to take action on environmental and sustainability issues. The achievements of our schools show this. In addition, the integration of environmental education into the curriculum engages our students learning in, for and about the environment."
Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education and certification program for Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools that helps school communities develop both ecological literacy and environmental practices to become environmentally responsible and reduce the environmental footprint of schools. The key areas of focus and achievement are: Teamwork and Leadership, Energy Conservation, Waste Minimization, School Ground Greening, Curriculum, and Environmental Stewardship.
The Halton District School Board is proud to be part of this growing network, and supports on-going environmental practices in schools.
For additional information, contact:
Suzanne Burwell, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator
Halton District School Board
905-335-3663 Toll free: 1-877-618-3456