Chillin' with the Planet, Caring for Our Community

A Celebration of our Environmental Success

June 27, 2007

On April 20, Canadian author and photographer Bruce Kirkby was the featured keynote speaker at the Chillin' with the Planet, Caring for Our Community event which was held at Trenton High School. His speech addressed the role of leadership, character building and personal responsibility in caring for the environment. Bruce's presentation included slides, and inspired students and teachers alike. Masters of Ceremony were Student Trustee Steven Solarz and Student Senator Sara Jackson. There were also student EarthCARE displays, posters, a slideshow featuring EarthCARE activities, a video on recycling, and a drama presentation. Thank you Trenton HS for hosting the celebration!

Here are some of the comments heard about the celebration and EarthCARE:

"The strength of the partnership between Ameresco and the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is inspiring. The District is seeing many benefits: improved school facilities, lower operating costs, and a growing commitment on the part of students, teachers and staff to put environmental concerns at the forefront of what they teach and do, every day."
-- Mario Iusi, President of Ameresco Canada Inc.

"What the kids learn to do today will pay off in the future. The Board absolutely, definitely wants to continue being involved [in the EarthCARE program]."
-- Carl Pitman, Board Chair, HPEDSB

"We are seeing how EarthCARE integrates with student achievement. There is a heightened awareness about global warming and its impact on animals, vegetation and the human race."
-- Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, HPEDSB

"EarthCARE provides students with a voice that will ultimately provide them with a future."
-- Lisa Resmer, Teacher

"EarthCARE supports and extends the character development of our students beyond today into tomorrow. It develops a sense of duty to fulfill commitments for the future, to think about what they want the world to be like for their children, and to do something about it."
-- Kathy Soule, Director of Education

Veronica Ford, EarthCARE Project Co-ordinator at the HPEDSB, says she has seen tremendous growth in the scope of EarthCARE (EC) and student participation levels since the program was adopted nearly two years ago. 53 of the 54 District schools have implemented the program this year. Team-building, a key component of the program, has really taken off, with over half of schools ordering EarthCARE T-shirts to help reinforce the message.

The EarthCARE-sponsored Lights Off / Computers Off (LOCO) initiative has become standard practice at most schools. Students are encouraged to turn off lights and computers when they leave the classroom to reduce energy waste. By the spring of 2007, a district-wide EarthCARE audit revealed an average Lights Off rate of 86%, and an average 81% compliance rate for the Computers Off component – a significant increase over the fall 2005 audit.

As the leader of the EarthCARE initiative, Veronica chose a theme to focus on in 2006-07: global warming. She cites the example of two schools, Parkdale ES and Prince Charles PS. Both have a special program in place to reduce CO2 emissions in the pick-up and drop-off area of their parking lots. Students distribute brochures that encourage parents to turn off car engines while they wait for their children – sending a strong message about the importance of helping to protect the planet.

For Veronica, caring for the planet meshes perfectly with the District's increasing focus on character education and respect. She says the program is less about 'training' than getting the teams together, "sharing and motivating each other, generating ideas and learning from each other." She adds, "There is a synergy that happens when we work together."