Every month, we’ll be featuring a project or initiative that is taking action on the SDGs. If you’d like to see your school represented in the newsletter, please reach out to soraya@LSF-LST.ca to tell us more! 

Harbourview High School, Saint John, NB: Sustainable Holiday Market

This month we are inspired by this project from Harbourview High School!

Overconsumption during the holiday seasons takes a significant toll on the environment so the students decided to host a Sustainable Holiday Market! Over twenty local vendors participated prioritizing sustainable practices in their businesses including using only sustainable packaging, and ensuring food or produce was locally sourced or organic. Students made “thrifting” for the holidays cool by hosting a low-cost pop-up thrift shop. To add to the overall eco-friendly atmosphere, they also lowered their energy consumption by turning off the fluorescent lights and lit the market area using low-energy holiday string lights. This student-led project was a way to connect with the community and educate them on sustainable practices they could take during the holiday season.

To see more click here.

Here are some ideas to engage your whole school in having an eco friendly holiday season.

Plan a clothing swap by swapping clothes instead of throwing them out. They could make great holiday gifts.



OR

Help your students create Eco Friendly Christmas Gifts by participating in Sustainable gifting & skill-building workshops to make things by hand. 

Elementary -LSF reusable bag action toolkit

Reusable Bags is a series of interesting activities through which students become acquainted with the concept of reusing. The resource emphasizes reducing and reusing over recycling. Students take action to decrease the number of plastic bags in circulation by constructing their own reusable bags using old clothing items

Middle Years- Don't waste it! Repurposing Our Resources!

With this activity, students learn about sustainability and creating less waste via discussions, videos and a hands-on activity. Students are introduced to the idea of repurposing used items for other uses. They bring in an old t-shirt and with a few simple cuts and tying of knots, they will create a Tee Tote Bag.

Secondary Years- LSF Reusable Bag Action Toolkit 

Reusable Bags is an action toolkit resource emphasizing the importance of reusing in reducing waste and conserving resources, even more so than recycling. Students take action to decrease the number of plastic bags in circulation by constructing their own reusable bags using old clothing items.

You can find all of these resources and more on the R4R.ca website. R4R.ca provides immediate access to more than 1800 quality classroom resources and connects teachers to lesson plans, books, videos and other materials that explore the environmental, social and economic dimensions of important issues and events unfolding in our world today.

Sustainable Future Schools Hub

The SFS Hub is your go-to spot to find all the up to date information, resources, offerings and opportunities that will help guide your journey this year. Save this link, share it with your school community and be sure to check back for updates.

Share this video with staff & colleagues and or your school administration to get familiar with the fundamentals of curriculum mapping with the SDGs!

Intro to the Curriculum Mapping Video

Professional Development is an important part of this Initiative. Book your professional development sessions with LSF by filling out the interest form below!

Visit our Professional Development page for upcoming workshops!

Riddle me this!

“I am bought in plenty, often too much,

Used once, then tossed out with a festive touch.

I might light up your tree or decorate the space,

But my short life ends with no trace.

If you're wise, you’ll reuse or find me a new role,

And lessen the waste that takes a toll.

What am I?”

Found the answer? Share it with your students. Looking for the answer? Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. We'll be posting the answer one week from today!

Fast Facts!

Here is a fast fact your can share on your announcements and on your website!

In Canada, during the holiday season, it’s estimated that over 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper and gift bags end up in landfills, contributing to increased waste.

Check out some of our other resources!

Looking for more ideas for including sustainable learning in your classroom? Check out some of our other resources: