EcoJustice
Classroom Without Borders!
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
Saint Edward School
ECSE: Environmental, Cultural, and Spiritual Education
Peace be with God the Creator, Peace be with all of Creation.
EcoJustice: Who We Are
In 1990, Pope John Paul II issued his World Day of Peace Message,
Peace with God - Peace with all of Creation, in which the Holy
Father announced, "There is a growing awareness that world peace is
threatened not only by the arms race, regional conflicts, and
continued injustice among peoples and nations, but also by a lack of
due respect for nature... Moreover, a new ecological awareness is
beginning to emerge which, rather than being downplayed, ought to
be encouraged to develop into concrete programs and initiatives."
EcoJustice’s foundations are based on St. Francis of Assisi’s beliefs
of simplicity, poverty and his reliance on God's providence rather
than worldly goods. Amidst a sense of time, urgency and global
awareness our program, through real life connections with the
community and environment will develop students intellectually,
socially, physically and spiritually while also enhancing their selfesteem and citizenship skills as Canadians and Catholics.
EcoJustice: What We Do
EcoJustice is a grade 8 experiential and inquiry-based
outdoor education program that presents integrated,
thematic units through an ecological and social justice
lens.
We strive to increase environmental awareness and social
justice, improve school environment, increase
involvement in the local community, promote pupil
empowerment, and develop a spiritual connection with
the diverse landscape of Saskatchewan’s land and culture,
and moreover the world.
Accomplishments
Selection Process
 We selected a cross-section of students (gender, socioeconomic, special needs)
 Accurate reflection of society
 True educational justice
Faith Dimension
 Attend weekly masses at St. Paul’s Cathedral
 First Nations & Métis Education
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Larry McCallum presented a student-based version of the
Belonging Series
Promote Gospel values in our daily teachings
Servant leaders within the community
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Mennonite Central Committee, CHEP, Affinity Credit Union
(20th Street West Campaign)
Accomplishments
Academics
 Completed over 85% of curriculum’s student outcomes
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Completed through combination of excursions, field study and
classroom analysis and synthesis.
Presented unit at board office: Optics & Vision (Physical
Science)
 All science outcomes completed by end of April
Presented environmental projects to Ward 6 Councillor,
Charlie Clarke
All but three students are at reading level Z
Maintained a successful Math Makes Sense program
Contributing leaders to learning communities (late May)
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Blackstrap Environmental Centre
Accomplishments
Physical
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Maintained a higher standard for physical fitness: 90 minutes/day
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Trekked over 100km, Cycled over 220 km, Public Transit: over 90km
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First Aid & CPR training to all students
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Advanced canoe training for students
Environment & Community
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Participated in launch of Peggy McKercher Conservation Area
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Environmental Standards: Virtually paperless classroom through use
of netbooks
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Assisting in the preservation of a section of natural Saskatchewan
grass lands and flora (with Beverly Ann Bazowski)
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Hosted, in partnership with Meewasin and Affinity Credit Union,
Saskatoon’s send-off of this year’s Earth Day
Accomplishments
Making a Difference
 EcoJustice students finished first in regional, academic-based
“Caring for Watersheds” Competition ($2100 in earnings)
 Implementing of project slated for May-June
 Awarded $1500 from Teacher’s Without Borders to help
actualize experiential learning excursions
 Have spread environmental and social justice message through
the following media:
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StarPhoenix, Global, CTV, Shaw and 30 minute show on
CFCR’s environmental Pocket Mulch
Helped develop and presently utilize our division’s first
Sharepoint site
Reaching Out to the Community
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Doug Porteous – Meewasin Valley Authority
Charlie Clarke – City Councilor
Peggy Mckercher – Peggy Mckercher Conservation Area, former Meewasin chair
Janet McVitte – Professor, Curriculum Studies, (Science) University of Saskatchewan
Larry Mccallum – First Nation Educator, GSCS Board Office
Delvin Kanewiyakiho – First Nation Educatory, GSCS Board Office
Gord Androsoff – Road Map 2010, Meewasin
Brenda Peace – Librarian, Francis Morrison Library.
Saskatoon Zoo Society
Stan Duedek – Blue Mountain Adventure Centre
Amy Jo Ehman – Columnist, Saskatchewan Nutrition Expert
Chet Neufeld – President, Saskatoon Native Plant Society
Beverly Ann Bazowski – Sask. Conversation Land Owner
Tracey Verishine – Interpretation & Outreach Officer Sask, Parks Canada
Paulette Farbacher-Decloedt – BioResource Management Teacher, E.D. Feehan
High School
Brenda Peace – Librarian, Francis Morrison Library
Regina Science Centre
Chantell Grattan – Child Find Saskatchewan
Reaching Out to the Community
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Dorthy Bartel – MCCS Saskatchewan
Kateri Hellman Pino – Teacher/Coordinator Blackstrap Environmental Center, GSCS
Chandra Pederson – Program Coordinator CHEP Good Food Box
Escape Sporting Goods
Sheelah Mclean – Teacher U of S and Aden Bowman High School
Ruth McCuaig – U of S Diefenbaker Center
Marita – World Gym Fitness Director
Ali Golfetto – Dignitas Youth Coordinator
Cory Zettestrom – Owner Bruce’s Cycle Works
Carmen Adams – Teachers Without Borders
Johnny Marciniuk – Coordinator, GSCS Board Office
Darren Prefontaine – Curriculum Development Officer, Gabriel Dumont Institute
Cheryl Dauvin – E.D. Feehan High School, Teacher
Sheila Chad – E.D. Feehan High School, Principal
Roy Sonderhousen – E.D. Feehan High School, Assistant Principal
Glenda Meldrum – Lululemon
Adrianne Begg – School Gardens Coordinator
Shelly Splysiuk-Neufeld – Teacher/Coordinator Blackstrap Environmental Center, GSCS
EcoJustice
Classroom Without Borders!