ESF Action Plan Progress Report

Presented March 22nd

for the Post-SEdA Session

Hanover School Division’s Education for Sustainable Futures Action Plan

Developed October 2010

Hecla Team: Randy Dueck, Russ Dirks, Angela Bertinak-Schinkel, Lorraine Kehler, Rod Kehler

Context: The aim of the ESF team was to build upon the efforts of

earlier teams to further develop education for sustainable development in HSD. Our over arching goal is to affect systemic change in all aspects of divisional life so that we model what we teach and teach what we are modeling. We envision a reorienting of our heads, hearts and hands to engage our students, our coworkers and our communities as citizens with sustainable futures.

The following goals represent the ideas of the team as we were

challenged by various Sustainability Education Academy (SEdA) presenters and our own team members.

Goal #1 Make meaningful community connections 

Local Connections to community services Adult education opportunities Education nurtures community links Learning occurs outside of traditional learning settings Communities are richly engaged in the education process Relationships fostered between school, community, and business Community values the learning the students are doing Awareness of social justice issues and opportunities for action

Global Students make real contributions globally Awareness of social justice issues Learning from other cultures via internet, generate sister village communities

Goal #2 Increase engagement through authentic student learning

ESF Fair Connections to the curricular outcomes Students assess the school and community for ESF Sustainable futures – varied modes for presentations Regular assessment of plans with community involvement Extra-curricular green clubs Learning process in which students are engaged makes a

difference now. Teaching students employable skills Moving from an education for industrial revolution to an

education for a sustainable future

Goal #3 Enable operations and facilities to reflect goals for sustainability

Energy upgrades to divisional buildings (wind turbines, solar panels, geo-thermal, etc)

Technology – skype, pod casts, etc Outdoor classrooms Community gardens Water eco systems Playground improvements Composting stations at schools Reduce the amount of garbage generated in all facilities Walking school bus (ASRTS) Maximize technology in teaching practices Review transportation practices (bio diesel fuel, etc) Use of technology to audit energy, water and waste

Action Plan

Context: Targeted action is required to begin meeting the goals that reflect an education for sustainable futures. The following three action plan initiatives will build on work already accomplished in the past and enable the networking of staff and students, together with our communities, to accomplish the task. Each action item includes a target date, lead personnel, and specific examples for action related to the corresponding goals listed above.

Action Plan #1 By May 2012

A list of community partners, both locally and globally, will be identified, contacted, and invited to become part of the community of formal and informal educators and facilitators. Russ Dirks (CST) and other divisional staff

• Active and Safe Routes to School (Woodlawn School will pilot a two year

project – Rod Kehler)• Kleefeld Landfill site development• Ducks Unlimited• Fort Whyte Alive• Oak Hammock Marsh• City of Steinbach• Seine-Rat River Conservation District• Hanover Municipality• Social responsibility trips coordinated with NGO’s and charitable

organizations (Hope for the Nations, World Vision, etc.)• Southeast Transition Initiative

ASRT

• Woodlawn School • Landmark Collegiate

and Landmark Elementary

• Niverville Collegiate and Niverville Elementary

Action Plan #1 By May 2012

A list of community partners, both locally and globally, will be identified, contacted, and invited to become part of the community of formal and informal educators and facilitators. Russ Dirks (CST) and other divisional staff

Active and Safe Routes to School (Woodlawn School will pilot a two year

project – Rod Kehler)• Kleefeld Landfill site development• Ducks Unlimited• Fort Whyte Alive• Oak Hammock Marsh• City of Steinbach• Seine-Rat River Conservation District• Hanover Municipality• Social responsibility trips coordinated with NGO’s and charitable

organizations (Hope for the Nations, World Vision, etc.)• Southeast Transition Initiative

Redevelopment of an Old Landfill

• Leased to SRCD• HSD - Bus Access and

curriculum development

• Environment Canada – Building Canada’s first solar powered weather station

wowlegazpi.com

Action Plan #1 By May 2012

A list of community partners, both locally and globally, will be identified, contacted, and invited to become part of the community of formal and informal educators and facilitators. Russ Dirks (CST) and other divisional staff

Active and Safe Routes to School (Woodlawn School will pilot a two year

project – Rod Kehler) Kleefeld Landfill site development• Ducks Unlimited• Fort Whyte Alive• Oak Hammock Marsh• City of Steinbach• Seine-Rat River Conservation District• Hanover Municipality• Social responsibility trips coordinated with NGO’s and charitable

organizations (Hope for the Nations, World Vision, etc.)• Southeast Transition Initiative

Ducks Unlimited

• World Wetlands Day – February 2012

• Building a more direct link to HSD

gr8lakescamper.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archiv...

Action Plan #1 By May 2012

A list of community partners, both locally and globally, will be identified, contacted, and invited to become part of the community of formal and informal educators and facilitators. Russ Dirks (CST) and other divisional staff

Active and Safe Routes to School (Woodlawn School will pilot a two year

project – Rod Kehler) Kleefeld Landfill site development Ducks Unlimited Fort Whyte Alive Oak Hammock Marsh City of Steinbach Seine-Rat River Conservation District Hanover Municipality• Social responsibility trips coordinated with NGO’s and charitable

organizations (Hope for the Nations, World Vision, etc.)• Southeast Transition Initiative

Connection with NGO’s

• Utooni Development Organization

• Hope for the Nations• Local Food Banks

We Schools in Action

Hanover Schools are in for the fall of 2011

Action Plan #1 By May 2012

A list of community partners, both locally and globally, will be identified, contacted, and invited to become part of the community of formal and informal educators and facilitators. Russ Dirks (CST) and other divisional staff

Active and Safe Routes to School (Woodlawn School will pilot a two year

project – Rod Kehler) Kleefeld Landfill site development Ducks Unlimited Fort Whyte Alive Oak Hammock Marsh City of Steinbach Seine-Rat River Conservation District Hanover Municipality Social responsibility trips coordinated with NGO’s and charitable

organizations (Hope for the Nations, World Vision, etc.)• Southeast Transition Initiative

Action Plan #2A By January30, 2011

Divisional leaders (teachers and students) within our schools will be established. Russ Dirks – HSD CST, and school administrators

Divisional leaders will be in contact with CST Resources and project opportunities will be funneled

through divisional leaders and administrators Opportunities to share specific school initiatives with

other divisional leaders will be given• Divisional leaders and administrators help their schools

to achieve the Eco-Globe Schools Awareness level (or better) for 2010-2011

Eco-Globe Recognition

• For 2010, Landmark Collegiate is at the action level.

• All schools have been challenged to achieve the awareness level.

Action Plan #2B By January 30, 2012

The Curriculum Support Teacher (CST) assists and supports administration, teaching staff and support staff to develop strategies and implementation of education for sustainable futures in all aspects of divisional life. Russ Dirks (CST)

Consultation with Superintendents to advance the values and

vision for HSD• Build capacity in teaching staff and students by giving clarification

and assistance to infuse current curricular outcomes with ESF learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and values)

• Assist schools to assess current actions and future initiatives to determine progress

• Providing students and staff opportunities to showcase ESF initiatives – ESF Fair, website

• Enable student voice to further develop vision and action

Building CapacityCST gets into classes to encourage and to help make connections

PD day sessions with the CST

Action Plan #2B By January 30, 2012

The Curriculum Support Teacher (CST) assists and supports administration, teaching staff and support staff to develop strategies and implementation of education for sustainable futures in all aspects of divisional life. Russ Dirks (CST)

Consultation with Superintendents to advance the values and

vision for HSD Build capacity in teaching staff and students by giving clarification

and assistance to infuse current curricular outcomes with ESF learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and values)

Assist schools to assess current actions and future initiatives to determine progress

• Providing students and staff opportunities to showcase ESF initiatives – ESF Fair, website

• Enable student voice to further develop vision and action

Student Voice

• Chuck Hopkins session with Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council

• Joshua Silu Mukusya session

• “What did you do in school today?” Survey

• Local school surveys and student Initiatives“CAKE”

Students are dreaming…

Action #3 By May 2012A waste, water, and energy audit will be conducted as part of a school pilot to establish baseline data and real-time monitoring Divisional personnel – Phil Guenther, Bob Proulx, IT Dept. and Russ Dirks (CST)

• Pilot projects in specific schools• Analysis of areas where reductions are possible and what

actions would be required for reduction• School yard project plans (outdoor learning projects)

related to reduction• Purchase of equipment required in audit process.• Transportation and Maintenance involvement (HEC)

Waste Reduction Pilot – Landmark Elementary School

Can we produce less landfill waste?

School –wide Initiatives: Waste Reduction Week

Think About Where Garbage Goes When it Leaves Your

Classroom…

Think about the word… “Land…fill”

Let’s Talk About It

Should Everything Go Into the Garbage When We’re Done With

It?

What Could We Do With It?

At LES the“Waste Reduction Week”

changed into a waste reduction pilot program.

We Took A Closer Look at Our Garbage

Green Teams

Changes were made in classrooms…

And In the Hallways…

Even the Staffroom Was Not Immune

We Informed…

We Found a Way to Make the Change

…At LES 75% reduction in

garbage waste

At our session with Chuck Hopkins on October 8th…

…It was a challenge to think differently.

What would have been garbage…

…was put in an industrial/agricultural

composting site…

…And after a few weeks of heating up in a windrow…

All of this “garbage” …

…became part of a heap of soil.

Is that possible at your school?

Can a Vermicomposter Be a Teaching Tool?

Worm Math

Some Classes Wanted to Start Vermicomposters

…And If It Was Good Enough at School, Then Why Not at

Home?

There must be worm food somewhere in there…

Does Working Together Build Sustainable Futures?

Action #3 By May 2012A waste, water, and energy audit will be conducted as part of a school pilot to establish baseline data and real-time monitoring Divisional personnel – Phil Guenther, Bob Proulx, IT Dept. and Russ Dirks (CST)

Pilot projects in specific schools Analysis of areas where reductions are possible and what

actions would be required for reduction School yard project plans (outdoor learning projects)

related to reduction• Purchase of equipment required in audit process.• Transportation and Maintenance involvement (HEC)

LEED Gold Schools in HSD

We Share the Earth… For Now and the Future

Our actions affect their futures. Their actions are learned from us. What are they learning? An education for sustainable futures involves all of us learning and working together.

“Enough, For Now, Forever” – African Elder