More than 7,500 Students get Top Marks for Green Fundraising Efforts

Students and teacher who took part in Green School Funraiser

For years, many schools had been searching for a healthier alternative to traditional fundraising products such as chocolate bars. Conserve Nova Scotia's "It Starts with Me" school fundraising program proved to be a successful alternative - one that was better for the environment, too.

The program allowed students to learn about climate change, the benefits of the products sold, and different ways to save energy at home. The energy-saving products sold included compact fluorescent bulbs, LED nightlights, and low-flow showerheads. Participating schools were able to keep half of the sales revenue to help pay for school activities and programs.

Over the life of the program, more than 7,500 students from 55 schools provincewide participated in the program and raised more than $60,000. Having sold just under 25,000 CFLs, about 10,000 LED night lights and more than 2,000 water conservation kits, the participating students distributed enough energy-saving products to reduce greenhouse gases in Nova Scotia by more than 30,000 tonnes.

The fundraising program was launched at Ecole Grosvenor-Wentworth School in Halifax in the spring of 2007.

Grosvenor-Wenworth Principal Alyson Hillier was pleased to be involved in promoting and selling the different energy efficient products.

"Our students are learning first-hand that it begins with us," said Hillier.

The green efforts of the staff and students of Grosvenor-Wentworth didn't stop there.

In the spring of 2008, Reel Student Productions, a student-based film production group, overseen by grade five teacher Andrew Stickings, produced an award-winning film about recycling that received international recognition.

The film Into the Blue won the people's choice award at the Atlantic Film Festival's Green Screen Challenge and was featured at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival.

Congratulations to all schools for participating in our fundraising program and to Grosvenor-Wentworth for demonstrating true leadership and innovation in the areas of energy efficiency and the environment.