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.
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.
Conservation Initiative: Planting a Garden
As a school, we have been focused on planting in various ways. In our school community, we see food scarcity, and it is important we show kids how easy it is to grow their food. We also have a pet bearded dragon and wanted to grow her fresh produce year-round. We have a hydroponic growing system, classroom growing lights, a greenhouse, and raised garden beds. Students have the opportunity to grow plants and seeds, nurture and transplant seedlings, weed and water gardens and finally harvest and enjoy their efforts.
This Conservation Project was made possible by
Union 52 Benevolent Society.
Conservation Initiative: Garbage Cleanup
All St. Richard students do an annual community day cleanup every spring. On Earth Day, we show that we are caretakers of this land and that we have pride in our community. Each class is given an area within the residential neighbourhoods surrounding our school. Students take garbage and recycling bags to collect and sort the trash they find. Students get excited to see their family and neighbours thanking them for their work in the community. Students take a lot of pride in keeping their community clean. In the following weeks, the students can often be seen picking up trash independently.
This Conservation Project was made possible by
Union 52 Benevolent Society.
Conservation Initiative: GOOS Paper Bins
EcoClub created a presentation for all students about the importance of trees. They also explained to students that trees are required in the paper-making process. Students in all classes noted that they saw a lot of paper waste when drawing or showing their work. They noticed that paper wasn’t being used to its full potential. EcoClub took this on and created Good On One Side (GOOS) paper bins for each classroom. If a paper still had a blank side, it could be recycled and used again. All teachers reported that students were very good at using the bin and reminding their friends to use it if they forgot.
This Conservation Project was made possible by
Union 52 Benevolent Society.
Conservation Initiative: Waste Free Lunch Events
After seeing the Eco Club’s impact in reducing single-use plastics, we wanted to do more to decrease the garbage our school produces daily. With some observations and research, the students noticed that most of the trash in the bins was from snacks and lunch. Most of the school’s waste was made by food wrappers. Eco Club hosted a waste-free lunch event. Students created posters, talked to their classes, and hosted our first annual Waste-Free lunch day. Students brought in lunches in reusable containers and brought utensils from home. Classes were challenged to have empty trash cans at the end of the day.
THIS CONSERVATION PROJECT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY
UNION 52 BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.