Eco Schools USVI
Eco-Schools
Eco-Schools Progress Report 2022-2023 (download)
Eco-Schools is the world’s largest international environmental education program engaging Pre K‐12 school students, faculty, administrators and community volunteers in a comprehensive, environment‐based program to improve student environmental literacy and skills. In addition to direct environmental benefits, the program helps to dramatically improve student skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM). It is also a proven framework for promoting youth leadership and community service.
Eco Schools offers hands‐on learning opportunities and support inquiry‐based education, critical thinking, use of technology and problem solving. The Eco-Schools model enhances the content and teaching methods while engaging the students in a positive transformation of their physical, social, and mental learning environments, while also providing financial savings and improved aesthetics to schools and school campuses.
What is Eco-Schools
Most young people care about environmental issues, and wish to make a positive change in the environment around them. The Eco-Schools program provides an ideal way for fostering environmental awareness in the entire school in a way that links to many curriculum subjects. The program is based on Eco-Management and Auditing System approach and encompasses four principle aspects:
Long Term
Eco-Schools is a long-term program. The Eco-Schools highest award takes the form of a Green Flag. This can be flown outside school or displayed in the foyer. However, it is important to remember that the program is one of continual reduction of the school’s environmental impact. Therefore, the Green Flag award requires renewal every two years.
International
Eco-Schools is an international environmental education program, offering a well-defined, controllable way for schools to take environmental issues from the curriculum and apply them to the day-to-day running of your school. The Eco-Schools program is run by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education). Eco-Schools operates in over 60 countries world-wide sharing the same methodology and concept, and are identified by the Eco-Schools logo and Green Flag.
Programs & Awards
Eco-Schools is both a program and an award system. Any school using the guidelines can adapt the program to their needs. The Eco-Schools Green Flag, awarded to schools with high achievement in their program, is an internationally recognized and respected eco-label for environmental education and performance. While the Green Flag award will be given to schools that complete all the essential elements of the Eco-Schools program, it should be remembered that the program is flexible, and that different schools will find different routes to achieving Eco-Schools status. Implementation of The Consumption and Waste (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Theme is a mandatory topic for Green Flag certification.
Holistic
Eco-Schools is holistic. It aims to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of a school. This should include the students, teachers, non-teaching staff and parents, as well as the local authority, the media and local businesses. Eco-Schools endeavors to extend learning beyond the classroom and develop responsible attitudes and commitment, both at home and in the wider community. Its participatory approach and combination of learning and action make it an ideal way for schools to embark on a meaningful path to improving the environments of schools and their local communities, and of influencing the lives of young people, school staff, families, local authorities, NGOs, and all other bodies involved in this vitally important area of work.
International and National Aspects of Eco-Schools
Eco-Schools began in 1994 and is now the world largest and only pupil-led environmental education program. The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is the international umbrella organization, which coordinates the international management of the Eco-Schools program. It delegates authority to nominated national organizations, such as Virgin Islands Conservation Society, who run their own individualized Eco-Schools Programs within their designated area and who report back to FEE. More details can be found on the International Eco-Schools website.
Eco-Schools is operated in over 64 countries worldwide engaging around 20 million pupils. Eco-Schools is referred to by a number of different names in member countries e.g. ‘Eco-Scholen’ in Belgium, Eco-Schools in the UK and USA and ‘Umweltshule’ in Germany. Green-Schools is the name used in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Republic of Ireland.
One of the most exciting aspects of Eco-Schools that is currently being developed is its potential to generate national and international links between schools via international Eco-Schools Connect Websites. School linking is an ideal way to broaden children’s appreciation of other countries and different lifestyles.
Benefits and Requirements of the Eco-Schools Program
Eco-Schools offers your school opportunities:
- Raise achievement and enhance learning styles and thinking skills
- Encourage active citizenship
- Gain access to a network of local delivery partners
- Gain a prestigious award at Bronze, Silver or the internationally recognized Green Flag
- Gain local and national publicity
- Make financial savings
- Reduce waste and litter
- Improve the school environment
- Reduce energy and water consumption levels
- Promote healthy lifestyles
- Involve the local community
- Develop national and global links
It requires:
- The support of the Principal and Governors.
- The willingness to involve children in decision-making and action at every stage.
- Active involvement of staff and support from parents and the local community.
- The willingness to take action to instigate long-term change.
IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM: ‘THE SEVEN STEPS’
1. Eco-Schools Committee
The committee directs the school’s involvement in the project. Ideally the committee includes pupils, teachers, non-teaching staff, management and parents.
Aim: The Eco-Schools committee aims to direct and address all phases of the Eco-Schools program. It is the driving force of the program and should ensure that the other elements are carried out.
2. Environmental Review
A process of examining the school’s environmental Impacts in order to identify targets for action and Improvement.
Aim: The aim of the review is to identify the initial situation within the school regarding the environmental theme under investigation (e.g. litter, waste, energy etc.).
3. Action Plan
This gives specific and achievable targets with proposed completion dates that will show real success.
Aim: The Action Plan aims to identify goals and provide a structured timetable for the reduction of the environmental impacts identified in the review.
This will ensure that progress towards targets is checked, amendments made and where necessary success celebrated.
Aim: Monitoring and evaluation aims to check your progress and indicates areas for change if necessary.
5. Curriculum Work
Curriculum materials are provided that give ideas on how to integrate environmental issues into lessons.
Aim: To integrate the Eco-Schools program with the curriculum work of the school when and where possible
6. Informing and Involving
A publicity program keeps the school and wider community involved and informed through displays,assemblies and press coverage.
Aim: To spread the Eco-Schools message throughout the whole school and the wider community through ongoing publicity and a ‘Day of Action’.
7. Eco Code
States the objectives that demonstrate the school’s commitment to environmentally friendly actions.
Aim: To state the objectives that demonstrate the school’s commitment to environmentally friendly actions.
Check out the Eco-Schools brochure
For more information contact Pamela New at [email protected]