Chemainus Secondary School (CSS) is extending its Earth Day celebrations for a whole week to raise awareness of the importance of taking little steps to become greener every day.
The Green Team has a full week of events planned in and around the school.
“The reason why we decided to do an Earth week is because over the last several years, we’ve been trying to become a greener school ... and rather than celebrating one day and then it’s over, it brings that awareness that it’s not just a day and it’s not just one week — every day, you should take steps to be greener,” said Green Team sponsor Nancy Henry. “It’s raising kids’ awareness.”
On Tuesday, April 22, which is Earth Day, CSS students will take part in a community cleanup around the school neighborhood, followed by a barbecue lunch. The cleanup, which will take place from 10:20-11:30 a.m., is sponsored by Tim Hortons. Canadian Tire is also supporting the cleanup.
The entire Cowichan Valley School District will be doing a Lights Out campaign for the day, where school buildings will rely on natural light. CSS student Gwynne Parry created a poster for the campaign, which has been distributed to all schools in the district.
On Wednesday, April 23, Green Team students will go around to each class at Chemainus Secondary between 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. and discuss what can be composted, recycled, refunded and placed in the garbage can.
The school will hold a Power Hour Thursday, April 24, when all power will be turned off in classrooms from 12:45-1:45 p.m.
On Friday, April 25, the school is holding a Green and Clean day. Students are encouraged to wear the colour green and celebrate by eating a chocolate chip mint ice cream cone at lunch.
CSS students will also be participating in the Chemainus community cleanup Saturday, April 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kin Beach.