Students at Delhi District Secondary School continue to live green.

Last week, the high school received its second silver certification from Ontario EcoSchools after an auditor inspected the school to examine energy conservation, waste minimization, ecological literacy and school grounds greening.

The silver certification means the school has maintained its environmental friendly programs over the past school year.

DDSS has held successful Earth Hour and Earth Day events along with recycling and composting programs.

“It’s been pretty comprehensive here for a while,” said Colleen Bator, lead staff adviser of the DDSS Extreme Green Team. Many schools are just launching similar programs.

The green team has encouraged waste-free lunches and the consumption of local food.

Next year, the green team hopes to advance to a gold certification, the highest level awarded by Ontario EcoSchools.

“I think we would have got the gold (this year) if we had completed our eco classroom,” said Bator, of the in-progress outdoor project.

The first stages of the eco classroom will be completed by the end of this week, however additional funding is needed to purchase the stones that will be used as chairs.

Fellow Norfolk County high school, Valley Heights Secondary School, held the sole gold certification in the Grand Erie District School Board until this year. Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School in Brantford now join them.

Bator hopes the eco classroom will be the push they need to receive gold in 2013, but is also looking for additional green initiatives.

“It would be neat to have a renewable energy source,” said Bator.

DDSS had hoped to be one of the schools to receive solar panels from the school board. They were recently told they would not be receiving the panels, but Bator is still hopeful a grant or donation could make the wish a reality.

She also hopes to make the surrounding school grounds more appealing for student use by adding more benches and picnic tables.

Teeterville Public School has also joined the league of EcoSchools in Norfolk County this year with a silver certification.

Sarah Doktor

519-426-3528 ext. 112

sarah.doktor@sunmedia.ca

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