This Week at Lakehead Public Schools - June 22, 2012

Striking Environmental Gold at Crestview

Crestview Public School has struck gold! Environmental gold that is. The Murillo school, known for their commitment to the environment and for making environmental learning a part of everyday school life, has been recognized with gold status by Ontario EcoSchools. The school scored an impressive 93.5 out of 100 during a stringent environmental audit conducted by Ontario EcoSchools. The Crestview School Community gathered at the school todayto celebrate the Ontario EcoSchools Gold designation during a special ceremony.

“This is a monumental award. It is proof of the hard work and commitment to the environment by the entire Crestview Public School community. Our students have made a positive impact on their environment,” says Jeanie Gaudette, Crestview Public School Grade Two Teacher. “Environmental learning is a significant part of the Crestview Public School culture.”

Ontario EcoSchools certification provides a rigorous province-wide set of criteria to assess achievement of environmentally-responsible actions and environmental learning. There are three levels of Ontario EcoSchools certification: Bronze, Silver and Gold. To achieve Ontario EcoSchools Gold status, schools are required to achieve a minimum of 75% of the possible points in ALL of the six parts of the following categories of certification:

• Teamwork and Leadership
• Energy Conservation
• Waste Minimization
• School Ground Greening
• Curriculum
• Environmental Stewardship

In addition to the submission of the written portion of the application process for the Ontario Ecoschool Gold status, Crestview Public School also had a site visit. During the visit, the evaluator had numerous discussions with the members of the Crestview Environmental Club, reviewed the submitted application and walked around the school and the grounds.

“Students are central to the site visit process and our Environmental Club provided very valuable input into the application process and the site visit,” says Murray McLeod, Crestview Public School Principal. “The club, guided by staff, has been the catalyst in this process and a number of other noteworthy environmental recognitions.”

Prior to the achievement of the EcoSchools Gold status, Crestview Public School earned SEEDS Earth School status through the GREEN Schools™ Canada Program. This designation celebrated the completion of 1,000 environmental projects at the school. The final project was a stew made from the Crestview garden. Society, Environment and Energy Development Studies Foundation (SEEDS) is a national non-profit, charitable foundation. The GREEN Schools™ Canada Program is an environmental stewardship program for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students. Over 6,000 schools have registered and over one million environmental projects have been completed since 1990.

Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education and certification program for grades K-12 that helps school communities develop both ecological literacy and environmental practices to become environmentally responsible citizens and reduce the ecological footprint of schools. The program was created in 2002 by a consortium of education stakeholders to address environmental issues in the formal education system. Ontario EcoSchools' resources offer an environmental perspective to the choices made in operating schools and in planning classroom programs based on the Ontario curriculum.

Hamm Anime Club Donation Illustrates Gratitude

On Tuesday, June 19, students from the Hammarskjold High School Anime Art Club were invited to speak on the subject of bullying to the Board of Directors of the Children’s Centre of Thunder Bay at their Annual General Meeting.

During the address, the students also donated a collaborative artwork created by members of the Hammarskjold Anime Club. The images are meant for children to enjoy, to draw strength from and to receive positive messages of support

“The presenting students received a standing ovation for their heartfelt and open speech about bullying and marginalization,” says Lily Ciddio, Grade 11 Art and Social Sciences Teacher at Hammarskjold High School. “The students thanked the Board members for improving the mental health of students through their excellent programs and staff.”

Green Tigers!

On June 13, the Grade 12 Environment and Resource Management class initiated Green Day at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute. The class had a goal of spreading awareness and reducing Westgate's carbon footprint. In the morning “Green Citations" were issued for teachers and students who carpooled, used public transportation, walked or rode their bike to school. At lunch, the class handed out citations that focused on sustainability-reusable containers, lunch bags and utensils. Finally, the school participated in a period four blackout to reduce energy consumption. At the end of the day 541 green citations were handed out! Way to go Tigers!

Good Character Building

In an act of good character, Parenting students of Hammarskjold High School have designed and built a special playhouse for the children who access services at Shelter House Thunder Bay. Through a partnership with Technical, Social Science and Art Department students, the Parenting students built and decorated the playhouse. The exercise focused specially on the Lakehead Public Schools Value of Empathy. The playhouse was delivered to the Shelter on Thursday, June 21.

“This was a wonderful experience for the students on many fronts. They were able to attain some new skills and work with other students on a very worthwhile project,” says Lily Ciddio, Grade 11 Art and Social Sciences Teacher at Hammarskjold High School. “The students were also able to work with our school and business community to secure funding, clothing and paint donations.”

A special thank you goes out to Superior Coatings for their generous donation of exterior paints and stains!

The Hammarskjold High School Parenting class has established a special volunteering relationship with Shelter House. The students learned that Shelter House also runs a clothing bank from which children’s clothing is in highest demand. Hammarskjold students continue to encourage community members and challenge other local high schools to continue to donate their time and gently used children’s clothing to the Shelter House.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Cancer survivors will be the recipients of good character and kindness demonstrated by Ms. Penny Bower, Information Services Technician of Woodcrest Public School. Ms. Bower donated her long hair on Thursday, June 21 at a special ceremony at Woodcrest Public School. Ms. Bower has been growing her hair for the entire school year for this event in memory of a friend who passed away from cancer.

“My friend Sue Hadland passed away in 2005 and she inspired me to continue the tradition of donating hair to be made into wigs for those who have lost their hair in their battle with cancer,” says Ms. Penny Bower, Information Services Technician of Woodcrest Public School. “My daughter has done this before and I believe that it is my turn to do this. I’m proud to do it in Sue’s memory.”

Brian Bisignano of La Paloma Beauty Salon will be at Woodcrest Public School on Thursday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m. to cut Ms. Bower’s locks. Ms. Bower has also been collecting donations of pennies for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Upcoming Meetings

• Regular Board Meeting
  Tuesday, June 26 - 7:30 p.m.
  Board Room, Education Centre
  2135 Sills Street

Diversity Dates

Sunday, June 24

• Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Catholic)
  Catholic celebration of the birth of Christ’s cousin John.