Welcome to ESA SEEDS and Me to We
SEEDS (Student Educators for Environmental Development and Sustainability)
SEEDS began in September 2006 when a group of Grade 10 students got together to participate in the Canadian Youth Eco-Parliament. Over the course of that year the students launched a couple of initiatives and planned to begin work in earnest commencing the following September. While working on the Eco-Parliament programme we became aware of a group of parents who were interested in the TDSB EcoSchools initiative. During the latter part of the school year the two groups got together and start to work collaboratively. The next result is that in the course on our first year, we took second place in the Canadian Youth Eco-Parliament progamme (which allowed us to send a student, all expenses paid, to the Canadian Environmental Stewardship Conference in Vancouver) and provided us with a $700 grant to put towards our environmental initiatives. Additionally, the school community earned Bronze EcoSchool status. The following year, we were able to send another student - all expenses paid - to the European Youth Parliament in Prague.
Since then we have continued to work on a variety of initiatives. We hold regular events throughout the school year. These events are designed to raise awareness and to raise funds for our projects. We have established a small arboretum (all native species) at the back of the school. Two years ago we completed a total renovation to the front gardens at ESA. We are always looking for volunteers to help us with garden maintenance, during the spring, summer and fall.
We welcome new members - students and parents. If you would like more information, or to be added to our e-mail list, please send an e-mail to [email protected].
Presently we are a Silver EcoSchool. We look forward to continued success.
Me to We
ESA's Me to We group started up in September 2007 after attending the Take Civic Action Conference at OISE. This event was jointly sponsored by the TDSB Social Studies Department and Free the Children.
Our group works on a variety of initiatives aimed at raising awareness about Social Justice issues locally and globally. Over the years we have worked with the Daily Bread Food Bank, Second Harvest, Raise the Roof, Canadian Aid for Children, World Vision (30-Hour Famine) and a number of other organisations. After the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti in 2010, we raised more than $800 for relief work in Haiti over the course of two days.
As of June 2012, we completed our fundraising to build a Clean Water Project in India. Next year we will choose a new project to sponsor.
We also look forward to continued success.
We Day: Oct 4th, 2014
This is an important announcement for all students who wish to attend We Day, at the Air Canada Centre, on Thursday October 2nd, 2014.
Permission forms will be available from Ms. Wray, in the Library, as of Thursday September 4th, 2014.
If you wish to be considered for participation, you must:
- be a member of SEEDS Me to We (fill out this Google Form)
- complete the online application form by no later than Thursday September 18th.
- return your signed permission form to Ms. Wray by no later than Thursday September 18th.
If you have any questions about We Day, please see Ms. Wray in the Library, once classes have begun in September.