"There are three lethal weapons threatening human existence: nuclear war, climate change, and bigotry."
- Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
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We acknowledge that we are hosted on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Wendat. We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis & Inuit peoples. |
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Welcome to the November issue of the TDSB EcoSchools newsletter! Since the start of this school year, we’ve heard some incredible stories of resilience and creativity from educators and students alike to keep the EcoSchools spirit alive, both online and in-person.
The first week of November is Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario. One way your class can engage in this topic is to explore online maps such as Native Land and this map of Indigenous trail markers, in order to look beyond colonial ways of thinking about borders and boundaries, and to see the Indigenous trails, territories, treaties, and languages of the land that your class is settled upon. Middle and secondary students might be interested in reading the recent Canadian Geographic interview with Autumn Peltier, youth environmental activist and chief water commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation to gain some insight into how she began her freshwater advocacy work.
Inside this EcoSchools newsletter, you will find valuable information on...
Conducting a Tree Tour | Buy Nothing Day
EcoSchools Canada Updates | Anti-Idling Signage
Anti-Racism and Eco Justice | Past Webinars
Geography Awareness Week | Zero Waste Month
World Fisheries Day & First Nations Treaty Rights
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"Rooting Around"
Hands-On Activity
Create a role-based “tree tour” on the grounds of your school, and/or in the neighbourhood. In their unique roles, students will choose 8-12 trees from a variety of locations within your boundaries. Collect the data with students' phones, then finish with a "virtual" tour in Google Earth, complete with photos.
Watch the original webinar from EcoSchools & OISE’s Environmental and Sustainability Education initiative series.
Lesson Guides:
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Buy Nothing Day:
November 28, 2020
Are you tired of an inbox full of junk emails letting you know about upcoming Black Friday sales, convincing and urging you to buy the latest toys and gadgets (that you don't need)? Luckily, there is relief and it comes in the form of simply buying nothing! Check out this list compiled by Greenpeace Canada for some do-it-yourself activities and projects that can eliminate the stress of (mandatory) gift-buying, produce less waste, and help you adopt more conscious consumer habits!
Read More:
The Buy Nothing Project - Enjoy this heartwarming story of neighbours helping neighbours to avoid purchasing new items!
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In Case You Missed It:
TDSB schools can now certify with EcoSchools Canada!
Our sister organization has opened registration for the 2020-2021 school year to all schools in Canada for the first time in EcoSchools history!
TDSB schools can now engage in environmental learning and climate action while working on their certification application with the national EcoSchools program!
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In Defense of Clean Air:
Ordering an
Anti-Idling Sign for your School
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The City of Toronto’s Idling Control by-law limits idling to no more than one minute in a 60-minute period. Reducing unnecessary idling to just one minute (or under) contributes to improved air quality and fewer carbon emissions!
Schools can purchase “No Idling” signs from the TDSB’s approved sign vendor, Instant Imprints (vendor #23386, contract
Please Note: Signs affixed to a fence can be installed by the Head Caretaker. For post-mounted signs, the Head Caretaker can submit a Notification to arrange for installation. Costs associated with the purchase and installation of signs is the responsibility of the school and will vary depending on the size & location of the sign.
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Anti-Racism & Eco Justice |
In this TED video, The Difference Between Being 'Not Racist' and Anti-Racist, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author and historian from the Boston University Center for Anti-Racist Research, shares his perspective on what it means to be an anti-racist and how we can all play a role in creating an anti-racist society.
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If you are interested in watching any of our past webinars, you may find them linked on our website here. |
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with OISE PhD candidate and creator of the blog Black Outdoors, Jacqueline L. Scott
with TDSB teachers Dan Kunanec, Ben Gross (Don Mills CI), and Stephanie Ustianov (West Prep)
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Learning at School and At Home: Resource Spotlight |
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Geography
Awareness Week:
November 16-20, 2020
Lessons & Guides
All grades: Fieldwork Guide A guide to supporting educators in building and conducting fieldwork exercises
A community-based experiential learning opportunity that will take students into the field to investigate their geo-inquiry question relating to Indigenous culture and education
Secondary: What Makes a Great Park? Research project in which students gather and analyze primary data to better understand the social and environmental importance of parks
Additional Ideas:
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Monthly Activity Calendars
from GreenLearning
This month's activity calendar is jam-packed with free and easy-to-use activities and resources that will engage your students in zero-waste projects and discussions.
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One Piece A Day - Litter App
One Piece A Day is a non-profit app that encourages every person on the planet to pick up one piece of trash a day, take a quick photo, then dispose of it responsibly (i.e., city or own garbage or recycling bin, etc).
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You may have noticed that there are fewer and fewer news stories about the Mi'kmaq fishing dispute in recent weeks.
What can you do to help?
- Discuss the issues with your students (economic, social, and environmental consequences).
- If you have the means, support Mi'kmaq fishers and other First Nations community members (e.g., purchase their products or contribute to a GoFundMe).
- Follow Indigenous activists on social media using the hashtag #AllEyesOnMikMaki.
- Have your class write letters to or phone the Dept. of Fisheries and Ocean expressing your concerns.
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World Fisheries Day
November 21, 2020
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Over the past two months, many news outlets were covering the escalating tensions of Mi'kmaw peoples in Nova Scotia defending their treaty rights to fish and trap. The world watched in horror as images and videos flooded our news feeds: warehouses ransacked, vehicles on fire, lobster traps seized and vandalized, the physical violence and racist slurs used to attack the First Nations fishers.
It comes as no surprise that east coast commercial fisheries are the largest contributor to over-fishing and over-harvesting of freshwater resources.
On the other hand, independent First Nations-owned fisheries are simply exercising their inherent and Treaty rights to earn a moderate livelihood and to conserve the fish populations for future generations.
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Visit our website: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/ecoschools
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