École Bishop Savaryn | GRADE 1A

Conservation Initiative: Playground Cleanup

The grade one classes at École Bishop Savaryn School were very lucky to be a part of the Pay It Forward For the Planet Program!

Our classes, along with the grade 6 Social Justice Leaders, completed a schoolyard clean-up on May 8th. This project was an opportunity for the grade one students to learn about ways that they can serve their community and planet and offered a leadership role for the grade 6 students. Everyone involved learned a lot and enjoyed making our school a better place!

Before completing the schoolyard clean-up, the grade one classes learned about different ways that they can help their school, their neighbourhood and the planet. Many students focused on picking up litter, but we also learned about composting, recycling, reusing and repairing old clothes or toys. They were able to make lots of connections between their actions at home and their learning at school. Some even shared that they had made changes to their home actions after this learning experience. We made posters to display in the school to help encourage other students to think about how they can help their school, community and planet.

On the day of the schoolyard clean-up, the grade 6 social justice leaders were paired with a group of grade one students. Together, they walked around the schoolyard and picked up litter. They engaged in conversations about why there was so much litter and what they could do to help. They were very proud of the bags that they picked up, and some students even asked if there were extra gloves so that they could pick up litter at recess!

Thank you to the Edmonton Valley Zoo Development Society for their gift and for encouraging our classes to engage in these activities!

This Conservation Project was made possible by
DOUG WARREN.

St. Richard | GRADE 6

Conservation Initiative: Ocean Cleanup

Students did research projects on the garbage that is found in the ocean. They looked into where the garbage comes from, how it affects the life in the ocean, and what is being done to clean up the trash. Students also found that a lot of garbage makes its way into the ocean from various waterways around the world. Students then created a product or device that would retrieve debris from the ocean or prevent it from reaching the ocean. They were asked to consider plants and animals when designing their products.

This Conservation Project was made possible by
Union 52 Benevolent Society.

St. Richard | GRADES 4 & 5

Conservation Initiative: Exploring Alternatives to Single Use Plastics.

Students were asked to consider last year’s garbage audit. What did they see a lot of? Most students exclaimed that they had seen too much plastic. Our school’s Eco Club brainstormed ways that we, as a school, could limit our use of single-use plastics. Students noticed that many people were asking for plastic utensils from the office instead of bringing some from home. We started by encouraging students to bring reusable utensils. This made a small but noticeable impact. However, the Eco Club thought that our school could do better. We now only allow students to borrow utensils if they leave a deposit behind. It could be a shoe, sweater, fidget, etc. This will enable us to wash and reuse those utensils and keep them out of landfills.

This Conservation Project was made possible by
Union 52 Benevolent Society.

St. Richard | GRADE 3

Conservation Initiative: Vehicle Emissions

As a school, we have noticed many families driving to school rather than walking or biking. We discussed air pollution and how it affects our communities locally and globally. In the warmer months of May and June, the Eco Club shared a presentation on the harmful effects of air pollution and shared ways we, as a school community, can help. Eco Club encouraged students to walk, bike, or scoot to and from school as much as possible. Students seen walking, biking, and scooting were given shoutouts during morning announcements.

This Conservation Project was made possible by
Union 52 Benevolent Society.

St. Richard | GRADE 2

Conservation Initiative: Washing Recyclable Items

Students at St. Richard Grade 2 learned from a video that unwashed, dirty items in recycling bins often get thrown in the trash. Deciding they wanted everything they put in the recycling bins to be recycled, they began cleaning their empty juice containers and other recyclables before putting them in the bin.

This Conservation Project was made possible by
Union 52 Benevolent Society.

St. Richard | GRADE 3

Conservation Initiative: Pollinator Garden

Our students learned about the importance of biodiversity. While participating in their community garbage cleanup, the students were asked to look for diversity in the plant life throughout the community. Students noticed lots of grass, trees and shrubs but only a few flowers. Students wanted to provide a space to welcome butterflies and other pollinators. We turned one of our garden beds into a pollinator garden.

This Conservation Project was made possible by
Union 52 Benevolent Society.