The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) has been recognized for its commitment to the environment.
The school board was recognized by Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Dianne Sax for successfully participating in the Ontario EcoSchools certification program. Schools in the program received certificates if Ecoschool believed there had been a full year focus on learning and action that nurtured environmental leadership and reduced the ecological impact of the school. This year 40 CDSBEO schools achieved certification, leaving them just two shy of complete certification.
Schools can apply to be certified as an EcoSchool through an annual process that measures points awarded for accomplishments in key areas of economic achievement. Schools receive points from six areas of focus that must be completed to obtain certification. These areas are; teamwork and leadership, energy conservation, waste minimization, school ground greening, curriculum connections to the environment and environmental stewardship. Some activities that contribute to EcoSchool certification are planting trees, growing plants, creating school gardens, garbage clean-up, composting and recycling projects.
The first schools from the CDSBEO to apply for certification did so in 2009 and included three elementary and three secondary schools. Since then CDSBEO officials say applications have grown rapidly each year. The CDSBEO is responsible for 40 elementary schools and 10 secondary across eight counties, totaling approximately 12,800 students.
