OCDSB EarthCARE Fall In-service 2008

December 22, 2008

Elementary and secondary EarthCARE team leaders from 132 schools in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board attended a half-day training/in-service program on October 16-17th at Confederation Educational Centre.

Team Leaders had an opportunity to share new ideas, in-school activities and discuss challenges related to EarthCARE. New URLs and resources in print and on the web were shared (see EC quiz on web). Team leaders were reminded that EC is totally aligned with the Ontario Curriculum and addresses the key traits of Character Education.

Goals for the 2008-2009 year were presented to the team leaders (see 2007-2008 annual report - PDF) and they heard presentations from David Fowler, 'Focus on Energy', Jack Corry, 'Focus on Recycling/Garbage', Gerri Baker, 'Composting and Beyond', and Dennis Paré, LED exchange with Hydro Ottawa and science curriculum resources.

Results from the 2007-2008 audits were presented and Rose-Marie Batley congratulated the EC teams on their continued dedication and enthusiasm for EC initiatives, in particular LOCO (lights off, computers off) as the means to address cost avoidance for the district. Results for the 2007-2008 year indicated estimated savings of $1.9 million, estimated CO2 emissions of 18.3 tonnes, which is equivalent to planting 607 mature trees.

Together we can make a difference.