Local elementary school goes Eco

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

Wheatland Elementary School has earned the platinum status, the highest level achievable, for the second time in a row through the EcoSchools initiative program. 

The mission of EcoSchools is to nurture student leaders, reduce the environmental impact of schools and build sustainable school communities. 

The program allows students, teachers, administrators, custodians and parents to get a larger picture of their environmental impact and offers ways to help reduce their environmental footprint. 

Fifth grade teacher Annika Vacey has been leading the program for Wheatland Elementary for the last couple of years. Being relatively new to Wheatland school community she is enjoying her leadership role and the importance of the message this program addresses. 

“It’s (EcoSchools) a program that engages schools across Canada,” said Vacey. 

She explains that schools can achieve different levels of certification. Schools earn points for different sustainability activities they do in their schools. For example, Wheatland partners with The Town of Strathmore to help with their composting program. This engages not only the school but the whole community, making it an integral part of the EcoSchools pillar.

“Wheatland, in particular, we like to do a whole-school initiative,” she said. 

Vacey explains that the EcoSchools program has classroom, whole-school and community-minded initiatives. 

“We did a great gulp challenge where at an assembly the kids brought their own reusable water bottles to take a sip of tap water to promote less single use plastic and awareness to preserving water, clean water especially,” she said. “On a weekly basis we do Waste Less Wednesday to raise awareness to reduce waste in our lunch kits by bringing Tupperware and trying to have as little waste in our lunch kits as possible.” 

All of the EcoSchools initiatives are part of the schools overall curriculum. 

Wheatland is a Leader in Me School that focuses on building leadership and life skills in their students. 

Vacey said the EcoSchools program fit perfectly within the schools Leader in Me philosophy and fundamental pillars of excellence. 

“It focuses on, how can we be a green school? How can we raise awareness of climate change and promote a greener future that is clean for all, whether it’s human or animals?” she emphasized. “This year there is lots of excitement. Kids love exercising their leadership by getting involved. We have kids in charge of recycling; kids in charge of compost; kids in charge of hot lunch who ensure the pizza boxes go in the compost bin.”

As for the future plans with Wheatland EcoSchools pillar, Vacey said, “We plan to continue this program next year and maybe plan to continue to grow the initiatives we’ve already done and new initiatives too and hopefully gunning for that platinum certification once again.” 

For more information on EcoSchools visit their website (www.ecoschools.ca).