Peel Water Story Project Case Study
Project title:
Mary Fix School ’s Recycling Program
School:
Mary Fix Catholic Elementary School
School Board/Organization(s):
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Community /Town /City :
Mississauga, Ontario
Your Project is located within which (sub)watershed/s?
Credit River
watershed
Start Date:
January 2003
Project
Project Abstract
- to create an awareness within the student body at Mary Fix that an individual’s actions do impact the environment
- to create opportunities for stewardship of the environment
Initiating the project
Teacher advisors invited students to participate in the club that would be eager to assist. At Mary Fix Catholic Elementary School , we opened up the Recycling Club to students in grades 1 to 6. We currently have over 70 students of 400 actively participating in this program.
Community Partnerships
Internal - In having parent volunteers involved with a Recycling Club, the community aspect of the endeavour is enhanced. The students involved in the program see that recycling is an activity not restricted to school and that it should be practiced in the community also. The head custodian of our school provides gloves, and garbage bags for the students to use. The cost for these items is accounted for in our school budget.
The students actively involved are given monthly incentives to encourage and celebrate their participation, such as socials and pizza parties. These incentives are given to recognize the efforts and dedication of students involved in the club. The cost of the incentives is covered by the teacher advisors themselves, the school council, and the school budget.
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Project planning
Students recycle every Tuesday and Thursday. At Mary Fix Catholic Elementary School , members of the Environment Club have a designated day and classroom that they are responsible for recycling. Students, recycle materials in all of the classrooms under teacher and parent volunteer supervision. They sort the materials and ensure that the containers are indeed empty before placing them in the designated recycling bag. Students work together in small groups to recycle in their designated area and then have the option of helping other students with their areas or enjoying the remainder of lunch recess. Most choose to stay and help their peers.
The following is a list of our planned activities for the 2003-2004 school year:
- Ongoing recycling of paper, plastic, juice boxes, small cans from all classrooms.
- Waste audit - students in the Recycling Club will attempt to measure and document the amount of waste recycled during the school year.
- Anti-littering campaign. Promote “litterless lunches”, organize a school yard clean up, make weekly announcements and create posters encouraging student community not to litter.
- Organize a recycled clothing drive within the school to benefit St. Vincent de Paul Society, at St. Catharine of Siena Parish.
- Organize and plan classroom presentations related to all grades in collaboration with Eco Source Mississauga’s in-school education program.
- Encourage student body participation in the National Forest Week poster contest held annually from May 5 – 11.
Earth Day Event
- encourage all students to have fun by wearing green clothing
- prepare a grade appropriate environmental package for teachers to use in their classrooms
- colouring contest for JK/SK
- poster contest for grades 1,2 & 3,4
- reflective paper for grades 5,6 & 7, 8
- Organize an ocean-related exhibit for Oceans Day on June 8, 2004 . The older children involved in the Recycling Club will research and prepare a display for the school lobby.
Student Ownership and involvement
The teacher advisors encourage the students to take responsibility in honouring their commitment to the club by developing a schedule for recycling duties, which gives members the choice of which day they will assist in the program. The teacher advisors work closely with the Environment Club members in order to determine what they wish to pursue as a group. We try to reach beyond the weekly tasks and encourage the students to suggest their thoughts and ideas.
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Project Celebrations
The students actively involved are given monthly incentives to encourage and celebrate their participation, such as socials and pizza parties. These incentives are given to recognize the efforts and dedication of students involved in the club.
Communication to the community/media
Other than being mentioned in our school newsletter, our activities have not gained a larger audience than the Peel Eco Fair in 2003.
Favourite Project activities for learning
The students love recycling, and enjoy their participation in this bi-weekly endeavour at our school. We do plan to plant trees and/or flowers on school property, and most of our students involved in the Environment Club have signed up to do this.
Students own feedback
The children involved in the Environment Club enjoy taking on an active role in encouraging the student body to recycle and limit waste. In talking with parents of children involved in this endeavor, we often find that the dedication to recycling carries over into the home and community at large. They enjoy being recognized by their peers and staff for their efforts and dedication. They especially enjoy the field trips and incentives provided!
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