Getting Ready for Your Certification Audit: The Look-fors

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How to become a certified EcoSchool

STEP 1: Establish your EcoTeam. STEP 2: Register your school for certification on ecoschools.ca by November 30, 2013. Don’t forget to record your password or share it with your team so you won’t forget it! STEP 3: Work on the EcoReviews and Portfolio requirements (see Portfolio Binder inserts) throughout the year and collect them in your EcoSchools Portfolio. STEP 4: Complete and submit the online application form by April 26, 2013. *Early bird applications are due April 5, 2013. STEP 5: Prepare for the certification audit in May or June.

If you are intending to apply for platinum certification and for more details on how to

become certified at the platinum level, which involves different deadlines and additional re-

quirements, contact Lisa Fisk at lisa.fisk@tdsb.on.ca.

At the end of each EcoReview (except Section 5) are look-fors that your auditor will be checking. Use this picture guide as a quick reminder and to get a glimpse of what some other

schools have done. For additional support, we’ve highlighted helpful tools in the 2012/2013 Certification Toolkit.

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When will our annual certification audit be?

Audits take place in May and June (with early bird audits happening in April). You will be

contacted by EcoSchools with the date and time approximately two weeks prior to your audit.

Who should attend?

If at all possible, it is important to have the principal, head caretaker, and main EcoSchools

contact person present for at least part of the audit. Involvement of these key leaders can

make EcoSchools a school-wide success. Please encourage student EcoTeam representatives to

be present as well (this is particularly important in secondary schools). Other EcoTeam

members are also welcome.

An EcoSchools audit quick overview

How to get ready? Complete the EcoReviews.

Gather the required materials for the Portfolio Binder (see Portfolio Requirements guide or Portfolio Binder inserts).

Look-fors are often overlooked. This guide will give you clear ideas about how to meet these requirements.

Write down any questions you may have for your auditor.

How long is the audit?

1 hour for elementary and 1 ½ hours for secondary

What do auditors do during the audit? The EcoSchools auditor will: Take at least a partial walk-through of the

school with key team members, keeping an eye out for the 12 look-fors

Sit with the team for a short discussion and follow-up questions

Review the Portfolio Binder

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1.7 To what extent is your environmental program evident throughout the school (e.g., EcoSchools plaques, environmental awards, bulletin boards, a recycling centre, signs for garden areas, displays in classrooms and in the halls)? 1.8 All Portfolio Binder requirements have been completed in an online or print copy of the Portfolio Binder. (See Portfolio Binder inserts.)

Helpful tools:

Team Structure pp.10-11

EcoTeam Timeline p.23

Students, Have Your Say! p.12

Designing a Campaign p.21

Section 1 Leadership and Teamwork: look-fors worth 25%

EcoTeam displays help to share key messages and encourage action

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Section 1 Leadership and Teamwork: look-fors worth 25%

Recognition for exceptional student work helps build school spirit.

Clear communication about a whole-school initiative is part of Leadership and Teamwork. This anti-idling campaign builds support for a community initiative (section 5).

The new Portfolio Requirements guide provides a framework for documenting eco-activities in your Portfolio Binder. You can download a copy at ecoschools.ca.

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Exemplary energy conservation: lights, computers, Smart Board off; blinds down

Posters communicate results of energy monitoring over time to the whole school.

2.1.8 Lights off in all unoccupied rooms

2.1.9 Evidence of how lights are monitored regularly and how your team communicates results to the school

2.1.10 Evidence of how vents are monitored seasonally and how your team communicates results to the school

2.1.11 Evidence of how blinds are monitored regularly during the winter and how your team communicates results to the school

Helpful tools - monitoring charts: Let the Sunlight In p.149 Let the Air Flow p.149 Keep the Heat In p.149 3-in-1 chart p.149 Lights-off sticker*

(Order Form p.4)

Section 2.1 Energy Conservation: look-fors worth 50%

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This sticker invites students to decide with their teacher when the lights should be turned off.

Student-made signs provide energy saving tips and help promote energy conservation initiatives to the whole school.

Highly visible photocopier sign makes it hard not to do the right thing!

Section 2.1 Communicating about energy look-fors

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Engaging signs provide clear labels for garbage and recycling containers and side by side placement makes it easier to put things in the right place!

2.2.12 All garbage cans and recycling bins paired and labelled

2.2.13 Waste audit results and Waste Reduction Work Plan posted

2.2.14 No recyclables in bulk garbage bins/toters

Helpful tools: The Waste Audit: A “how-

to” tip sheet pp.42-43 Waste Audit Results p. 44 Waste Reduction Work

Plan p.45 Save our Resources

Monitoring Chart p.149

Section 2.2 Waste Minimization: look-fors worth 40%

These recyclables were found in the bulk garbage bin!

This clearly titled display board with graphs and photos attracts keen student interest through communicating the waste audit results.

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Golden recycling bin sparks friendly class-to-class competition to be the best recycler.

Section 2.2 Communicating about action on waste

This playful waste-free lunch poster depends on clear images to educate while giving this campaign an alluring personality.

Colourful posters help to raise awareness and organize team initiatives.

Clear signage helps remind students and teachers that disposable coffee cups go in the garbage and not in the recycling bin.

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This tree is well-mulched. The doughnut shape prevents mulch from being pushed against the tree trunk itself; ideally the mulch extends to the drip line.

Avoid mulching trees in concrete. Mulch should never touch the trunk’s bark. (See doughnut illustration to the left.)

This older tree’s exposed roots need mulch to protect them, to help the soil retain moisture, avoid compaction, and remain cool in summer.

3.5 Trees mulched, grounds free of litter, and gardens tended

Helpful tools: Mulch Is Magic p.97 Design Consultation

Process p.83 Request for Design Consultation

p.84 Seasonal Stewardship Plan p.165 Invasive plant species list p.101

These school grounds are well maintained and litter free.

Section 3 Vibrant School Grounds: look-fors worth 15%

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Clear signage and well maintained grounds contribute to excellent learning spaces

Section 3 Signs of thriving gardens

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4.8 A brief outline of the ways in which your school is planning collaboratively with a reflection on how well it worked and next steps 4.9 5-10 samples of student work and lesson summaries (see Certification Toolkit p.111 for

Summary of Lessons/Unit form) in your Portfolio Binder showing evidence of teaching and learning that makes a connection to the environment

Learning FOR the environment

Monitoring charts p.149 (Keep the Heat In, Let the Sunlight In, Let the Air Flow, Save our Resources, Energy Monitoring Chart)

Are You an Environmental Citizen? p.148

Writing Letters p.150

Learning IN the environment

Tips for Teaching Outdoors pp.113-114

Interpretive Hikes pp.115-116 Learning Trails tools pp.117-118 Create a Tree Tour in Google Maps

pp.119-120

Learning ABOUT the environment

Scenario Mapping pp.127-129 Dependency Webs pp.130-133 Consequence Mapping pp.134-140 Concept Mapping pp.141-145

MAKE CONNECTIONS THROUGH:

Section 4 Ecological Literacy: look-fors worth 30%

Not sure where to get started? Check out the new Unpacking Ecological Literacy tool in the Certification Toolkit on p. 108.

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We know that this is a challenge for everyone! Here’s what some schools have done.

Collection of materials

Ask colleagues to bring to your next staff meeting: one copy of student work with

summary form that includes learning in, about, or for the environment

one example of collaborative planning with one or more colleagues

A few examples of material to include: lessons on human-nature interaction, ecosystems study, reflection on a field trip, campaign material

Assembly of materials Consider having students organize the material into the Portfolio Binder sections. It spreads the workload and gives them work with an important purpose.

Section 4 Strategies for completing the Portfolio Binder

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Teaching students cycling safety and skills helps to promote sustainable transportation at the school and in the community.

This section has no look-fors. However, it is where auditors will want to learn about the ways you have been building community within your school, in your Family of Schools, with parents, and how you take part in local and global initiatives as you share ideas and promote positive action.

Tools and examples Healthy cleaning products p.154 Sun protection p.157 Bike racks pp.155-156 Fun fair, video night, garage sale, environmental performance p.168 Walk-to-school days No-idling policy Mentoring other schools Participating in initiatives of local and global environmental groups

The golden shoe award recognizes walk-to-school champions!

Section 5 Healthy, Safe, and Caring School Communities

Photo credit:Jamie Stuckless

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For these and other EcoSchools resources, visit: