EarthCARE in Action

Doris Davidson (standing) in conversation with in-service participants.

Richard Ford and an EarthCARE team leader.

Worm Factory presenters.

OCDSB EarthCARE EarthCARE Fall In-service October 11 & 12, 2007

Team Leaders from across the system participated in the fall 2007 in-service session for EarthCARE at Confederation HS on October 11 and 12. In all, there were 146 participants including teachers, EAs, parents, chiefs, principals and students. 131 schools were in attendance.

Doris Davidson, Project Coordinator for EarthCARE, delivered the program. Team Leaders were encouraged to continue their dedication and enthusiasm for EC initiatives, in particular LOCO (lights off, computers off) as the means to address cost avoidance for the district. Occupant behaviours are key - little things add up to a big difference. Team Leaders were reminded that EC is totally aligned with Ontario curriculum and addresses the key traits of character education.

Richard Ford was a guest speaker at the secondary in-service, introducing the Team Leaders to a new online tracking program, Zazengo, inviting schools to log their projects and track their progress and successes.

Elementary participants heard about the "Worm Factory", a vermi-composting kit available for school classrooms. Earth Day Ottawa will be donating 20 of these kits to OCDSB classrooms. The contact is Tasha Bridgen.