annual report 2014-15

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Our Vibrant netwOrk

882,000 students engaged

1,765 ecoschools

certified

52 school Boards

supported

886 educators

trained

36%

of all schools in the province are certified

english public school board

english catholic school board

french-language school board

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getting inspired: every day

What a year it has been! My personal highlight

from 2014-15 was the opportunity to celebrate

a decade of environmental achievement in

EcoSchools across the province.

I joined the Ontario EcoSchools team in its early

days, and have seen the program grow from

108 certified schools in 2005 to 1,765 in 2015.

In order to support our growing community, we

have transferred the certification process online,

expanded our training opportunities for EcoTeams,

and encouraged environmental learning and action

across all levels of the school system.

We are dreaming big these days and we are excited

to launch a new three year strategic plan. This

plan will enhance student engagement through

our second annual EcoAction Challenge and an

inaugural spring EcoSummit in 2016. We will also

build staff capacity to better support participating

schools, and strengthen collaborations with other

environmental organizations.

One aspect of our mission is to showcase schools

and EcoTeams. In 2014-15 this involved highlighting

a decade of school best practices in the “Get

Inspired” book, and holding school celebrations.

Over the next few years, we will evaluate and

communicate how certified EcoSchools reduce GHG

emissions, lower energy consumption, and minimize

waste. We will also evaluate how the program

fosters successful student leadership.

All of these initiatives make it exciting to come to

work every day. I am constantly inspired by the

unique ways school communities breathe life into

the program.

So thank you to every student who enthusiastically

joins their EcoTeam, the teachers who advocate for

ecoliteracy, the principals who lead by example, the

board representatives who champion their schools,

and the funders who believe in our potential.

I am excited to see what our community will achieve

in 2016 and beyond.

Table of Contents

1 Letter from the Executive Director | 2 New Initiatives 2014-15 | 5 EcoSchools in Action | 6 Annual Certification

9 Supporting Strong EcoTeams | 10 Environmental Toolkits and Resources | 12 Thank You | 13 Financials

letter from the executive director

Elanor WaslanderExecutive Director

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Get InspIred book was published as a collection of best practices from certified EcoSchools over the last decade. Each page provides a photo and tips on how to successfully implement all six sections of the program.

GettInG started vIdeo features students from Toronto Ouest in CSViamonde and was created to introduce schools to the Ontario EcoSchools program.

eXpert WebInars were hosted on active transportation, inquiry-based learning, and school food gardens. The webinars were led by community experts and engaged 157 participants from 119 schools.

new initiatives 2014-15

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eCoaCtIon CHaLLenGe was held for the first time in June 2015. 86 schools from 32 school boards shared their EcoActions for the chance to win great prizes and participants generated nearly 400 #EcoAction2015 Tweets.

FrenCH-LanGuaGe CommunIty grew to 69 schools, increasing engagement by 33%. We warmly welcome participation from schools in the Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivières.

mInIstry oF enerGy partnersHIp highlighted energy conservation practices in schools. Certified Ontario EcoSchools use an average of 12% less electricity than comparable non-certified schools.*

* TDSB Energy Management Program

Review, 2006

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“ We are helping the world improve one action at a time.”

grade 3 student

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ÉCoLe CatHoLIque FranCo-supÉrIeur in CSDC des Aurores boréales celebrated their beautiful new mural. Created with the help of community artists, the flowers in the mural were made from students’ handprints.

st. marGuerIte d’youvILLe in Hamilton Wentworth Catholic DSB was named the 2015 Greenest School by the Canadian Green Building Council. The school has reduced waste by 90% through daily litterless lunches, recycling and composting, and banning plastic water bottles.

In 2014-15, over 44,000 students participated on EcoTeams at certified

EcoSchools and carried out some impressive initiatives. Here’s a taste of

the environmental learning and actions that took place across the province.

44,000 student leaders participated in ecOteams.

ecoschools in action

aCadÉmIe CatHoLIque anGe-GabrIeL in Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est created innovative waste sorting bins. This year, the EcoTeam also planted new trees in their outdoor classroom, actively using the green space.

unIonvILLe pubLIC sCHooL in York Region DSB won the 2015 EcoAction Challenge after students actively engaged in a full week of outdoor inquiry-based learning.

dunbarton seCondary sCHooL in Durham DSB was named Greenest School on Earth by the Global Coalition for Green Schools. This was the first time this honour was bestowed in the Western Hemisphere.

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annual certification

Schools are assessed based on a provincial standard with an emphasis on

student leadership. Each year, schools apply for and receive Ontario EcoSchools

certification by demonstrating achievement in all six sections of the program.

Participating schools are certified at Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels.

in 2014-15, OntariO ecOschOOls certified 1,765 schOOls frOm 52 schOOl bOards.

energY conservation

Waste MiniMiZation

school ground greening

teaMWorK and leadership

curriculuM

environMental steWardship

The certification cycle involves support and

training throughout the school year, an online application, related resources, and spring school visits.

Regular research and evaluation ensures that the program is constantly being updated and is in line with current

best practices.

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“ The program prov ides us a way to measure success step-by-step and keeps us on our toes .”

secondary school teacher

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“ The program helped me grow and learn as an educator and citizen and be more aware of the impact a school has on the environment.”

elementary school teacher

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supporting strong ecoteams

Through workshops, webinars, and conferences, Ontario EcoSchools

equips EcoTeams with the tools needed to certify. The program aims

to engage EcoTeams in meaningful action, integrate environmental

education into every subject and grade level, and reduce the ecological

footprint of schools.

886 educatOrs attended 22 training sessiOns in 2014-15.

Ontario EcoSchools offers full-day workshops and webinars for educators across the province. These training sessions have received extensive positive feedback and in 2015, we trained more than 500 teachers from over 300 schools. We also hosted our annual school board-level conference, which provided opportunities for dialogue and the exchange of innovative ideas.

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In 2014-15 we created Environmental Stewardship Campaign Kits for three popular campaigns: Earth Hour, Active Transportation, and School Ground Clean-Ups. These kits include campaign communication materials, whole school activities, and learning activities for grades K-12. Each year we offer new resources to enhance learning and action throughout the program.

95% Of Our annual wOrkshOp participants rated Our enVirOnmental tOOlkits and resOurces as useful Or Very useful.

Ontario EcoSchools offers free resources and tools to support environmental

learning and action inside and outside of the classroom.

environmental toolkits and resources

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“ We are hav ing a pos it ive change on the earth, and I am exc ited to be a part of that change.”

grade 10 student

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Funders and Sponsors

Ontario Ministry of Education

Ontario Ministry of Energy

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

Cascades Inc.

PartnersYork University

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

In-Kind Contributors Green Teacher

Scholastic Education

Warren’s Waterless Printing Inc.

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

(University of Toronto)

Toronto District School Board

The work of Ontario EcoSchools is made possible by a dedicated community

of supporters and volunteers. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed

financial and/or in-kind resources to support environmental education and

action in Ontario schools.

thank you

Collaborators

Heidi Campbell, evergreen

Marie-Josée Carrier, cascades inc.

Andrea Cousineau, natural curiosity

Erica Duque, region of peel

Tim Grant, green teacher

Sunday Harrison, green thumbs

Bill Kilburn, back to nature network

Debby Martin, evergreen

Jennifer McGowan, metrolinx

Justin Nadeau, toronto district school board

Jess Pelow, student, york university

Sonia Sanita, york catholic district school board and york region district school board

Steering CommitteeLewis Molot, Chair, york university

Vicky An, toronto and region conservation authority

Ron Ballentine, halton district school board

Lindsay Bunce, toronto and region conservation authority

Suzanne Burwell, halton district school board

Judy Gould, durham district school board

Timothy Leduc, york university

Erin Mutch, thames valley district school board

Nathalie Rudner, york region district school board

Rachel Stewart, toronto and region conservation authority

Shari Typer, halton catholic district school board

Jenn Vetter, toronto district school board

Erin Wood, toronto district school board

Fund Development CommitteeLindsay Bunce, earth day canada

Tovah Barocas, earth rangers

Ontario EcoSchools StaffCarly Bardikoff

Melissa Benner

Tania Cheng

Kelly De Fogain

Sierra Frank

Elanor Waslander

AssessorsAmanda Ammon

Kimberly Baxter

Suzanne Brochu-Ranta

Beryl Cohen

Marie-Pierre Daigle

Meagan Dargavel

Annie Dearden

Scott Dobbin

Nancy Drynan

Ayelet Freedman

Melaina Gasbarrino

Sue Hamel

Cassie Jackson

Emily Jackson

Kelly Laforet

Michelle Rondeau

Stephanie van den Berg

Kristan Verhaeghe

Jana Vodicka

Manubir Walia

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School Board Partners Ontario EcoSchools Board Representatives

algonquin lakeshore catholic district school board Michael Bibby avon maitland district school board Crystal Gaschobluewater district school board Deborah Diebel brant haldimand norfolk catholic district school board Craig Colbertbruce grey catholic district school board catholic district school board of ontario Tanya Sesbrenoconseil des écoles catholiques du centre-est Roxanne Coupal, Natalie Lavigneconseil des écoles publiques de l’est de l’ontario André Fillion conseil scolaire catholique de district des grandes rivières Natalie Joncas-Raymondconseil scolaire de district catholique centre-sud Christine Lachapelleconseil scolaire de district catholique des aurores boréales Thérèse Dechêneconseil scolaire catholique providence Monique Castonguay conseil scolaire public du nord-est de l’ontario Stéphane Morneauconseil scolaire viamonde Angèle Ruderdistrict school board of niagara Florence Ho, Nancy Bridgemandufferin peel catholic district school board Lindsay Bunce, Vicky An, Rachel Stewartdurham catholic district school board Carol Stott, James MacKinnondurham district school board Judy Gouldgrand erie district school board Katie Hashimotogreater essex county district school board Al Cook, Vince Pertahalton catholic district school board Paul Deonihalton district school board Ron Ballentine, Suzanne Burwell, Nick Bertrandhamilton-wentworth district school board Aaron Puley, Brian Goodramhamilton-wentworth catholic district school board Paul Beaudettehuron-perth catholic district school board Lori Lynn Stapletonkeewatin patricia district school board kawartha pine ridge district school board lakehead public school board Jason Pilotlambton kent district school board Heather Curllimestone district school board Joe Hendrylondon district catholic district school board Joe Bezzinaniagara catholic district school board Elizabeth Daviesottawa carleton district school board Tom Thistleottawa catholic school board Christine Adam-Carrpeel district school board Tracy Appletonpeterborough victoria northumberland clarington catholic district school board Sarah Taylorprovincial schools Kathy Lewisrainbow district school board David Wiwcharrenfrew county district school board simcoe county district school board Jessica Kukac, Kayla Kalaliansimcoe muskoka cath district school board Kathy Van Dewark thames valley district school board Erin Mutch thunder bay catholic district school board Alma Provenzanotoronto district school board Jenn Vetter, Pam Miller, Erin Woodtoronto catholic district school board Rose MacDonald, Stefan Martens, Vincent Citrinititrillium lakeland district school board Heather Truscottupper canada district school board Kim Machanupper grand district school board Connie Bender, Karen Acton, Ian Macphersonwaterloo district school board Sandy Hermanwaterloo catholic district school board John Shewchukwellington catholic district school board Nancy Culhamwindsor-essex catholic district school board Mike St. Pierre, Julie Di Domenicoyork catholic district school board Larry Tadmanyork district school board Nathalie Rudner

FINANCIALS*

reVenues

Government $832,625Foundation $36,000Other $4,000

TOTAl $872,625

95.4%

4.1%0.5%

gOVernment

fOundatiOnOther

expenses

Program $634,375Certification & Research $352,411Training & Events $203,128Curriculum & Resources $78,836

Administration $174,084Fundraising $27,044

TOTAl $835,503

76%

21%3%

prOgram

administratiOnfundraising

*Financials are based on internal analyses. For audited financial statements, please contact us.

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MissionOntario 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 environmental footprint of schools.

VisionEvery School an EcoSchool: We work towards the vision that all students

and staff in Ontario schools will be engaged in environmental education

and practices, developing the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and actions

needed to be environmentally responsible citizens.

720 Bathurst St. #206, Toronto, ON M5S 2R4 416-642-5774 | www.ontarioecoschools.org