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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 25, 2011 · 18 Morden students give an eco-education lesson By Nathan Howes OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF W. H. Morden Public School showed just how green the Halton community is at its annual Eco Night Wednesday. The Oakville school's event is to educate and showcase alternative greening options available within Halton. It is also a way to highlight the school's eco activities as part of its involvement with Ontario EcoSchools, says kindergarten teacher Alison Wojkowski. "As part of that program, we decided to do sort of an outreach and information night for the community about green services and products that are available in the Oakville and Burlington area," said Wojkowski. The school partnered with the Town to feature various local vendors to display environmentally-friendly products and services. Organizations such as Whole Foods Markets, Conservation Halton (CH), Bullfrog Power and Totem Bags, were represented. CH brought out local artifacts as part of its presentation on the programs it offers, Wojkowski said. "The kids really take charge in running the event. They are stationed throughout the school to greet people, direct them to the gymnasium, maintaining the raffle booths. They're with their families making baked goods for a bake sale," said Wojkowski. "One of the prizes was a totem bag worth $100 to raise money for the eco team "It's a pretty neat night," said Wojkowski. W. H. Morden was certified gold last month for the second year in a row as part of Ontario's EcoSchools program that identifies doable environmental actions by promoting regional resources and programs. Schools are awarded certifications based on its degree of participation. The school has been eco-friendly since 2008, when Wojkowski first arrived and started the eco club. This year's eco team has 30 students from Grades 4 to 8, she said. "Every week the kids are involved in coming out to monitor and pick up the Green Carts and recycling in our school, and promoting the recycling and composting program," said Wojkowski. "We're running a contest at the school called Gage Your Garbage, challenging students and staff at the school to reduce the number of items they throw out in the garbage ­ either by finding other ways to use it before it gets thrown out to encourage them to recycle more and bring a litterless lunch." "We're just trying to make it conscious to them how much we throw away in a day, " she added. W. H. Morden participates in Earth Hour and Earth Day, and initiates school-wide clean ups. The eco team organizes students to hand out recycling and garbage bags in the schoolyard, keeping people involved, Wojkowski said. See Eco page 23 STEVEN DER-GARABEDIAN / OAKVILLE BEAVER GREEN CHALLENGE: Daniel Leonard plays an eco game Wednesday evening at W. H. Morden Public School's second annual Eco Night. The event provided information and alternative green options to the school and the Oakville community. and green initiatives that are carried out at the school." Wojkowski said the event gives people an opportunity to see the latest in green products and services and a night out to enjoy themselves. The second half of the night was a showing of Disneynature: Oceans s documentary. "It showcases the wildlife living endangered in the ocean and kind of how we can help protect that. Oakville D E R N O M Organic Farm Store ' S ORDER NOW! FRESH CHRISTMAS TURKEYS Raised Organically · Free Range No Hormones or Antibiotics 905.627.4774 www.mordensorganicfarmstore.com 801 Collinson Road, Dundas/West Flamborough ALSO AVAILABLE: BEEF , PORK, CHICKEN, LAMB, FISH, BISON, ELK, EMU,VENISON, OSTRICH & WILD BOAR ONLY 25 MINUTES FROM OAKVILLE