The kids at Richmond Street Public School have set a gold standard for caring for the environment.
The Thorold elementary school joined the EcoSchools Canada program, which recognizes environmental action taken by students over the course of the school year.
Students at the school participated in the program in previous years and had achieved bronze-level certification. This time, for the first time, Richmond achieved gold certification, meaning the school established a solid foundation for the program and was successful in integrating environmental learning throughout the school year.
“[The students] have to do a variety of activities and things and you get points,” explained Grade 2 teacher Anita Longo, one of the staff members at Richmond who facilitate the Eco Club. "When you get a certain level of points, you level up.”
Grade 5 student Netra Elavazhagan said she joined the program because she needed something to do.
“I wanted to join and help out,” she said, adding it was also nice to meet with other students at school who wanted to do the same thing. “We do different activities, and we get to know each other more.”
Charlie Graham, another member of the club, said he particularly enjoyed the chance for him and nine other members to attend the recent District School Board of Niagara Eco Summit at Heartland Forest.
“It was definitely the best,” he said. “I kind of learned bush craft and how to be a team.”
Longo said the summit was a way for the board to celebrate efforts from schools across Niagara that earned certification through the EcoSchools program.
“Each school that was certified was invited to the summit and could bring 10 students,” she said, adding the kids took part in several outdoor activities at the Niagara Falls nature preserve.
According to club member Seth McMaster, the event was very educational.
“The bush craft was really good,” he said enthusiastically. “We learned how to make a fire, and we learned how to roast marshmallows. And we played a bunch of building games and activities. We also learned about the wildlife over there, and we saw turtles and frogs and stuff.”
Romeesa Patel, meanwhile, said the club took part in many activities throughout the year, including Earth Week last April where days were set aside for various initiatives.
“We also have days like Waste Reduction Wednesday, Meatless Monday, Textile Tuesday.”
Most recently, the group, with the help from the City of Thorold, planted a tree on school grounds.
The next goal is to be certified as a platinum school, which is the highest level a school can achieve but some work will need to be done before that can happen, Longo said.
“We need more student leadership, and we need community involvement,” she said. “So those are our goals for this year.”
In addition to Longo, other teachers guiding the club include Lori Fowle (Grade 2), Lindsay Ashcroft (Grade 1-2 split), Dawn Geddes (Grade 1) and Caitlin Hogg (Grade 1).
