Trillium's EarthCARE Activities

Kathryn Hughes, the EarthCARE Team Leader, is very proud of the work her school, Trillium E.S., has been doing in its support of EarthCARE. The Environmental Action Representatives (EARS) have four devoted enthusiastic Big EARS (Susan Rochette-Lovsin, Louise Henderson, Sylvie Chilibeck, and Kathryn) and two dedicated groups of students: one primary and one junior-age group. This fall EARS viewed a humorous video on Recycling called "Landfill - The Musical" - from Laidlaw. Litterless lunches were held for Recycling Week. The classes with the least litter, as determined by Trillium's custodian, Mr. Laurin, received a prize of "worms in dirt" (gummy worms in chocolate pudding), which was dished out by Mrs. Yan, Trillium's principal.

Trillium School received a Citation of Merit from The Recycling Council of Ontario for an outstanding contribution to the people and environment of Ontario through the 3 Rs.

Classes are working towards Emerald status by completing 500 environmental activities through the SEEDS programme. Sample projects include using yogurt containers and milk cartons for experiments on sound (rather than throwing them into the garbage), writing environmental poems, cleaning up litter, and working in the flowerbeds. Any activity that involves the 3 Rs or builds an awareness of the environment is valued.

Students completed decorations for a front foyer Christmas tree using recycled materials.

Matthew Parnell has recently designed a new "Turn Off the Lights" logo, which has been laminated and placed beside all light switches in the school. He is currently working to place this reminder on some of the school computers.

Tim Hortons Community Project -On behalf of the Big EARS, Kathryn met with a Tim Hortons manager to ask for support in helping to build an awareness of environmental issues. Junior students are drawing posters that will be displayed at Tim Hortons. The messages are - "Please use recycling bins for glass bottles" "Lug a Mug", and "Please turn off car ignition when visiting Tims".

Primary students have coloured and displayed posters with environmental messages and made bird feeders out of milk cartons to be placed in trees at the front of the school.

The EARS groups is presently discussing ideas for Earth Day.