An EarthCARE Update from Terry Fox Elementary School in Orleans, Ontario

February 10, 2006

Terry Fox is a JK-8 Elementary School. They have 25 students on their EarthCARE Team, 20 are from one keen Grade 6 class and 5 from two grade 7 classes. Marjorie Whittingham is very proud of their accomplishments.

In October, the EarthCARE Team wrote and made announcements on the P.A. to advertise Waste Reduction Week. They made posters to encourage recycling and placed them in each wing: Primary, Junior and Intermediate.

The Team also created and posted laminated Blue Box and Black Box 'Acceptable Recyclable' sheets to place in each classroom. Their Recycling Team hosted a Litter-Free Lunch on November 24, 2005. The Team again made announcements, posters and hosted a contest among Primary, Junior and Intermediate levels and awarded prizes, consisting of EarthCARE kit materials (e.g., water bottles, belt clips, pencils, key chains, etc.).

The Team has continued to make spot checks on the entire classroom recycling program. The Team empties the recycling boxes each Friday for the Primary wing.

They are looking forward to the arrival of spring. In May and June of 2005, several team members weeded and planted two young evergreens as well as some perennial plants in the garden beds in front of the school. They have plans for the gardens this spring.

The principal, Mrs. Bain, has offered the team a Pizza for their hard work!

They are seeing themselves making a difference! Congratulations to Terry Fox Elementary School! If you would like additional information contact Marjorie_Whitingham@ocdsb.ca.