Brampton - Heart Lake Secondary School in Brampton received its Ontario EcoSchool certification this week and became the first certified EcoSchool in the Peel District School Board.  The school's certification comes as the Peel board approves a new partnership to implement the Ontario EcoSchools program in Peel schools.

"EcoSchools provides a great framework for schools to use when implementing environmental programming as part of a character development initiative," says Sue Turner, principal of Heart Lake. "By really involving students in the process of conserving energy and reducing waste, EcoSchools empowers students to affect positive change in their school and community. It teaches qualities like responsibility and accountability, and the skills students and staff learn from involvement with EcoSchools will impact lifestyle choices beyond the school environment."

In order to become  certified, Heart Lake students and staff formed an EcoTeam that took on a variety of initiatives to reduce the school's environmental impact, including:

• conducting a waste audit to establish a benchmark for future evaluation
• engaging students and staff in a greening project with Heart Lake Conservation Authority, resulting in the planting of more than 2,000 trees
• reducing litter by partnering with students from the Parkholme School satellite class to implement a student-run recycling and awareness program
• conserving energy by creating a Flick-Off campaign that included turning lights off not only after school, but in certain classrooms and offices during the school day
• educating and inspiring students at feeder schools and other secondary schools through a play developed with The OTESHA Project, an organization that raises awareness through performances

Notes Turner, "Heart Lake's certification would not have been possible without the leadership of Andrea Luksts and David Finlay, two of our teachers. Their enthusiasm and determination is contagious—they've really created an eco-spirit at Heart Lake and inspired students and staff to take action." 

Ontario EcoSchools has four pillars: energy conservation, waste reduction, school ground greening and ecological literacy.  Heart Lake's efforts in these areas earned the school EcoSchools' silver certification. Silver is the second highest level of certification offered through the program.

In addition to guidelines for energy conservation and waste reduction, EcoSchools includes elementary and secondary school curriculum to help extend learning. The program also provides templates for school boards to use when developing their own environmental policy and standards for reduction and conservation across the system.

"EcoSchools' five step process gives schools a clear direction and action plan for reducing their environmental impact," says Sumble Kaukab, instructional co-ordinator for science and technology and chair of the Peel board EcoSchools Steering Committee. "We're looking forward to supporting a number of schools next year as they work towards their certification."

Heart Lake Secondary School is located at 296 Conestoga Drive in Brampton.