Earth Week in the Junior School: A Week of Action and Awareness
Last week, our Junior School students embraced Earth Week with enthusiasm and purpose, setting the stage for Earth Day celebrations this week. While Outdoor Education is already a cornerstone of our curriculum, Earth Week gave us a special opportunity to deepen our connection to the natural world—and we’re fortunate to be able to do that right here on our beautiful campus.
The week featured environmental challenges, including a Lights Out challenge on Monday and House Food Waste Challenge Wednesday where students sat with their Houses in the Dining Hall and with their peers from other classes in the primary grades to track food waste as a House competition.
The week featured environmental challenges, including a Lights Out challenge on Monday and House Food Waste Challenge Wednesday where students sat with their Houses in the Dining Hall and with their peers from other classes in the primary grades to track food waste as a House competition.
On Environmental Stewardship Tuesday, students across the grades rolled up their sleeves for hands-on activities:
- JKs and Grade 2s cleaned up litter around the schoolyard—recovering over 40 recess balls in the process!
- SKs and Grade 3s hung bird feeders they crafted from pine cones found on campus.
- Grade 1 and Grade 6 created “No Idling” posters and took on the role of environmental ambassadors, reminding parents to turn off car engines at pickup.
- Grade 4 and 5 students made and scattered wildflower seed bombs to support pollinators.
- Class 6W tackled invasive phragmites in the Back 40, helping restore biodiversity to that space.
Throughout the week, it was inspiring to see students engaged in meaningful work, collaborating with peers, and taking pride in making a tangible difference, with all of it culminating in Celebrate the Earth Thursday, where we discussed how our efforts made a difference and how that felt. Students participated in a variety of fun activities which allowed them to develop connections with the environment and each other in unique ways. These activities reminded us that while perfection isn’t required, participation is. Every effort counts, and if we don’t spend time in these awesome spaces, we forget why they are worth protecting.
This week, the Earth Day spirit has continued with a little extra time spent outdoors appreciating our natural surroundings. Let’s carry the energy of Earth Week forward and strive to make every day Earth Day at CDS!
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Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
