At St. Leonard Elementary School, environmental action was more than a lesson. It was a way of life. During the 2024–2025 school year, that commitment blossomed into something remarkable. With a record 70 students joining the Environment Club, it was clear that “going green” had become part of the school’s identity.
The enthusiasm was contagious. Weekly meetings grew so large that the club had to rotate between classrooms and the library just to fit everyone in. From curious Grade 1 students to passionate Grade 6 leaders, the club was alive with ideas, teamwork, and determination. These young changemakers planted, recycled, built, and brainstormed new ways to make their school and community more sustainable.
Taking Action: Hands-On Green Initiatives for Earth Month
Students at St. Leonard’s introduced a range of creative initiatives to make their school more environmentally friendly. Among the highlights were the introduction of green bins for composting, a light monitoring program, and even a worm composting box. Each project reflected the students’ growing awareness of how small actions can lead to lasting change.
The light monitoring initiative quickly became a school-wide habit. Environment Club members made their rounds through classrooms and offices, reminding staff and students to turn off lights when natural sunlight was available. Their gentle reminders helped everyone think twice about energy use and the simple ways to reduce waste.
The worm composting box became one of the most popular features of the school’s Earth Month activities. Students collected food scraps to feed the worms and observed the composting process as waste transformed into rich, reusable soil. This living experiment sparked classroom curiosity and gave students a fundamental understanding of how nature reuses and recycles.
These new projects were built on St. Leonard’s long-standing environmental initiatives, which included battery collection, community clean-ups, and black box recycling. Together, these efforts demonstrated the school’s on-going commitment to sustainability and responsible waste management.
Creativity Meets Conservation
To celebrate Earth Month, the Environment Club created a vibrant calendar of eco-friendly activities that encouraged everyone in the school to participate.
Some highlights included:
- Take Me Outside Day – Classes enjoyed learning outdoors and reconnecting with nature.
- Environment Club Read-Alouds – Club members read stories about the environment to younger students.
- Litterless Lunch Challenge – Students promoted zero-waste lunches using reusable containers.
In addition to these fun and educational activities, students participated in hands-on environmental projects. They built and installed bird nesting boxes, set up bee boxes to protect local pollinators, and maintained the school’s garden. The previous year, they had also planted seven new trees on school grounds, adding natural beauty and improving local biodiversity.
Students and staff also joined in national initiatives like WWF Sweater Day and Earth Hour, aligning their actions with broader efforts across Canada to promote energy conservation and climate awareness.
A Culture of Environmental Responsibility
What made these initiatives truly special was that they were student-led. From sorting recyclables to managing compost bins, the students of St. Leonard took ownership of their projects and inspired others to join them. Their creativity, teamwork, and leadership built a school culture rooted in environmental responsibility and care for creation.
While Earth Month provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase their work, the spirit of stewardship at St. Leonard lasted all year. With their hands in the soil and their hearts focused on the planet, these students became true leaders of a greener, more sustainable future, becoming leaders of a more sustainable future.
