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Climate Hope: Trailblazing PS David Williams is a Leader in Youth Environmental Action
Climate Hope: Trailblazing PS David Williams is a Leader in Youth Environmental Action
Story by Oakvillegreen's Environmental Program Coordinator, Lacey Swamy
Over recent years, the disconnect between nature and children has alarmingly grown. From playing outside every day, exploring forests, and getting their little hands dirty, to being told to stay only on the blacktop, and spending most of their time inside. It is so important to revert this phenomenon not only for their social, physical, and mental health but also for our planet’s health. After all, how can we expect future generations to protect our natural environment if they never learn to appreciate it?
Luckily, local school in Oakville, Dr. David R. Williams Public School is hopeful of reconnecting their students with nature. They have made climate action a priority, and have gotten their entire school community involved- teachers, principals, parent council, and of course, their students. In times like these, it’s important to highlight the great work they are doing as an inspiration to us all.
They have focused on promoting biodiversity and altering their school practices to be more sustainable. A team of grade 8 students presented to their parent council and received funding for many green initiatives. In the front of their school, they added 8 pollinator gardens, planted by members of the junior and senior eco-teams. As well, grades 5-8 were engaged in a tree planting day, where they added 80 trees to our urban forest canopy in Preserve Woods. Hundreds of students also participated in a tree care mulching day, learning how to protect their schoolyard trees and spreading woodchips to over 40 trees. Then, in terms of individual habits, their school completed a garbage audit with the town of Oakville, to reduce their overall waste and to determine what is not being disposed of properly. Lastly, each class engages in Walk or Wheel Wednesday, where they encourage alternate modes of transportation for points to win various prizes.
All of this progress isn’t possible without the amazing teachers and staff who work hard to support their students’ climate dreams. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes, and teachers are most definitely inspirations to their kids. To name a few- thank you to the eco-teachers, Meaghan Bisson, Samar Diab, and Linda Schofield, for their hard work and dedication, to Principal Janet Ricciardelli, for her support and motivation towards green efforts, to head caretaker, Adam Bearman, for his care and helpfulness, and to the parent council, for their encouragement and guidance along the way.
PS David Williams is an exceptional example of how youth can become educated, get involved, and make a difference in their community. Their students are future leaders, and their words are climate hope for us all.
“The environment is very important and plays a huge role in our future and it’s important to raise awareness as a lot of people take it for granted.” - Grade 8 Student.
“I want to save the environment. I love nature and being outside” - Grade 5 Student.
“Our planet is going through a crisis, we are all citizens so we have to do our part and help restore it”- Grade 7 Student.