Esquimalt High School

From ClimateNetworkWiki

Esquimalt is one of the leading schools in the SHS Project. With teachers and student members of its “ESCAPE” and Interact clubs attending the SHS Symposium in April 2006, Esquimalt students have formed the backbone of the SHS Youth Steering Committee. These students have edited and provided feedback on the SHS Kit, the HSSAF Indicators and guided the project’s development, not only acting as courageous guinea pigs in trying the BC pilot project out at their school, but also leading the project as a whole across the province.

Warning: Page Under Construction!

Contact:

Staff Email: Geoff Orme (teacher-librarian and ESCAPE teacher sponsor), gorme@sd61.bc.ca

Student Email:Britney Allen (President) britney.allen@hotmail.com, Hannah Gray (Vice-President) hannah.christine.gray@gmail.com, Allison Weick (HSSAF Coordinator) amweick@gmail.com

School Address: 847 Colville Rd., Victoria, BC

Click here to check out our school's website.

Sustainability Advisory Committee Esquimalt doesn't have a SAC, although we have excellent relations with administration and teachers.

Sustainability Assessment Esquimalt is the first school that has completed their assessment of their school’s sustainability through calculating each of the indicators in the High School Sustainability Assessment Framework!

This year (08-09), we will be calculating some of the new indicators, as well as updating a few of those calculated in (06-07).

Where We Are and Where We Are Going

Some of the Projects Completed So Far:

• HSSAF
• Buy Nothing Day and Clothing Swaps
• Recycling Rennaisance
• End of year Recycling
• Peace Crane Project (in progress)
• Remembrance Day Assembly
• Clothing Emmisions, Sweatshop, and Travel Map

In the Future:

• HSSAF
• Composting and Recycling Programs
• Teacher Sustainability Awards
• Peace Crane Project (complete)
• Buy Nothing Day
• Hat and Scarf Day for Global Cooling
• More Recycled Paper
• Compost in the Classrooms
• Waste Weigh-in

Sustainability Initiatives Esquimalt has become more sustainable through doing a cafeteria “Waste Weigh-in”, which created awareness amongst staff and students about the fact that over 96% of the stuff they were sending to a landfill could be recycled! They set up a new waste diversion system which enables students to separate compost, returnables, paper, cardboard and soft plastics and recycle these types of items. They have also committed to making their cafeteria zero-waste by the end of 2008 and their school zero waste by 2012! This effort is truly worthwhile for many reasons, especially to address climate change as it:

• Reduces the amount of methane (a greenhouse gas 21% more potent than CO2) produced in landfills
• Reduces the amount and weight of trips made by waste collection trucks, reducing transportation-related CO2 emissions
• Reduces the amount of mining, logging and petroleum production associated with making all those pizza boxes and pop bottles by recycling them
• Creates jobs in waste-diversion and recycling industries, enabling BC and Canada to become a leader in this feild
• Produces compost for growing food, reducing the need for petroleum-based fertilizers

Engaging Classes with the Sierra Club's Education Program Esquimalt has been lucky enough to have Emily come and talk to a few classes and inspire them to make change! link title