ECOSCHOOLS NEWS
EcoSchools Elementary Kick-off PD sessions start this week!

The yearly elementary kick-offs are a great opportunity for our team to meet with school teams to describe program changes, share best practices, and to learn how EcoSchools is progressing at your school. It's also a chance for you to share your ideas with other colleagues.
This year's kick-off sessions are very interactive, with lots of opportunities to network and come away with ideas you can use
at your school. Don't miss out on this opportunity to build your EcoSchools community.

Elementary Kick-offs will run from September 27th until November 9th and will be held in each Ward.

Not sure if you are on our contact list? Please contact Wendy Abbot at wendy.abbot@tdsb.on.ca   or 647-224-4382.

We look forward to seeing you!
PROMOTING ACTIVE, SAFE, AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Apply today! Free cycling education programs and bike racks for your school
Cycling Education Programs
Schools can now apply to have a skills-based cycling e ducation program presented at their school in spring 2016, free of charge!

All schools are eligible to apply. However, schools that did not receive a Cycling Education Program during the 2015/16 school year will be given priority in the selection process. For more details and to access the application form, visit the EcoSchools Cycling Supports webpage and select the Cycling Education Programs tab.

Deadline to apply for a Cycling Education Program: February 28th, 2017

Bike Rack Program
Increase sustainable transportation at your school with new bike racks! All schools are eligible to apply, but will have to demonstrate need and evidence of prior efforts to promote sustainable transportation.   For more details and to access the application form, visit the  EcoSchools Cycling Supports webpage.

Deadline to apply for bike racks:  March 31st, 2017


Get ideas on how to build a program at your school that supports active, safe, and sustainable transportation among students and staff. From targeted communications to bike rodeos, there are many ways in which you can promote sustainable transportation within your school and community.

October is International Walk to School Month 
Fall is here! During the month of October, join schools across the country in celebrating International Walk to School Month (iWalk/iWheel). For resources including posters and event ideas, click here. 

As autumn arrives, the days begin to get shorter and increasing our visibility as pedestrians and cyclists becomes especially important. Whether heading to school by foot or on two wheels, the following are some safety tips from Toronto Public Health to keep in mind before heading outside:  
  • Carry identification, a cell phone and a whistle
  • Bring water
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes and bright, reflective clothing
  • Dress for the weather
  • Cross streets at traffic lights, stop signs or crosswalks-always walk facing traffic
  • Avoid using headphones and cell phones while walking
  • Tell someone where you are going
  • Check the Air Quality Health Index and UV index before you start your walk
  • Be sun safe
Show us how you're celebrating!
Share your iWalk/iWheel event with us by tweeting @EcoSchoolsTDSB using the hashtag #walktoschool or #biketoschool

Requesting Street Improvements in Toronto
In the City of Toronto, residents are able to request traffic calming (e.g., narrowing roads, speed humps etc.), changes to speed limits, and improvements to intersection and major crossings within their community. However, in order to have the feasibility of these requests investigated by the City, communities must take a variety of steps.

The Guide to Safer Streets Near Schools is a new resource designed to assist residents in requesting street improvements within the City of Toronto. The guide accessibly explains City of Toronto policies that relate to street improvements and provides suggestions on which ones may be most relevant to your community.  Within the guide you will also find a toolkit that includes:
  • A worksheet to help identify issues and develop potential solutions
  • Sample templates (letters and a traffic calming petition)
  • Ideas and resources for teachers
  • A list of organizations working for safer streets
For more details, visit  www.saferstreetsnearschools.ca.  

Cycling Resources 
The following resources can be ordered by schools through the EcoSchools Online Order Form:


Always Wear a Helmet Poster 

Designed in collaboration with SickKids, TCDSB, TDSB, Toronto Police Services  and Toronto Public Health, this new poster demonstrates how to ensure a helmet is properly fitted using the "2V1" rule.

The Toronto Cyclists Handbook

This resource, designed with Toronto cyclists in mind, identifies the parts of a bicycle, cycling safety tips, and rules of the road. An electronic version of this resource can also be downloaded from the Cycle Toronto website, and is available in 13 different languages.



Young Cyclist's Guide

This Ministry of Transportation guidebook provides kid-friendly information on bicycle equipment, riding tips, and rules of the road to keep youth safe while cycling. This resource is available in both English and French.


EVENTS

Come out to this special event, keynoted by Richard Louv, passionate proponent of connecting children with nature, along with author and naturalist Jon Young, and pediatric occupational therapist Kathleen Lockyer, as they shar e case studies and insights on children's routines and landscapes within our cities that can cultivate true nature connections on a daily basis. Three important voices for children together for one special night!

The Don Dialogues invites you to gather and contribute insights on how, together, we can best utilize our 200-hectare natural ravine system to enrich the health and happiness of our families and community.

Schedule:
6:00pm: Visit Evergreen's NGO Partners in Koerner Gardens to see what's on offer in the world of nature connection and community-building in our Region.
7:00pm: Talks begin 
Kathleen Lockyer: Nature and Emotional Development 
Jon Young: Ancient Skills for Modern Living
Richard Louv: Creating Healthy Communities
9:00pm - 9:30pm: Book Signing
Richard Louv will sign copies of his new book Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life, and Jon Young will sign copies of his books, Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature, and What The Robin Knows. Bring your own copies or purchase on-site.
Ticket Cost: $20.00 
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Free shuttle bus service will be extended until 9:30pm.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Evergreen website.