Eco education begins early at Waterford PS
The coming of spring at Waterford Public School is a time to shift the focus to the environment, and celebrate all that the school is doing to promote waste reduction, energy and water conservation, and environmental literacy and stewardship.
In the classroom, that translates to talks about a variety of ways students can do their part to make the earth a happy and healthy place for us to live. The talks have led to action, and the youngest students are discovering that even small changes can help the earth in a big way.
"This year, the Earth Day focus carried over to the Kindergarten families in a very special way," says Principal Michelle Black. "Our yearly Kindergarten Family Fun Night adopted an eco theme, which was a really accessible way to get everyone involved."
At the 6th annual Kindergarten Family Fun Night, students and their families were invited to participate in an evening of earth-friendly playful learning. Taking inspiration from Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, the Kindergarten team transformed the gym into a magical world! The message of reusing and repurposing was highlighted in upcycled craft projects such as water bottle wind catchers, and spinners made from recycled DVDs.
Families planted seedlings to add to the growth and beauty of the spring flowers on the school's grounds, and made bird feeders for our feathered friends to enjoy.
Thanks to a grant from ETFO, the team was also able to run a feature project that would help to carry on the message of earth-friendly choices after the event was over. A purchase of canvas backpacks for everyone to personalize with earth-inspired designs and messages added to the fun. The backpacks are a perfect way for kids to transport their favourite items, and are a great alternative to plastic bags.
More than 150 people participated in the Kindergarten Family Fun Night, and staff said it was inspiring to see the young students and their families getting involved in an important topic.