Building a Movement
Another exciting school year is upon us!
How can we lead our school communities with hope, joy, and renewed commitment to a beautiful, thriving future?
Intentionally, with as many others as you can gather. Rockway Mennonite Collegiate in Kitchener Ontario (above) is a wonderful example. They have a new solar installation, and THEY ARE EXCITED. Take 3 minutes to watch their epic presentation of hope, joy, and solar power (below) and you’ll be excited too 🙂
Theirs is a strategic, whole-school example of integrating school culture, learning, their buildings and grounds, community partnerships, and demonstrating intentional, hope-filled leadership across their community. Leadership like this is contagious, and likely to ripple out in ways they will never fully know.
If you are looking for some support and networking to take your sustainability work to the next level, consider joining our fifth cohort in the Climate Action Accelerator Program – a 3-year path for student and adult learning, leadership and action. Read more below.
Finally, check out the many ways you can come together with colleagues and students in person this fall to share, learn and take action.
I am sure you will find some inspiration in this newsletter to help lead your school community with hope, joy and purpose, building a movement too powerful to ignore. Reach out if you have a story to share! Wishing you a wonderful beginning to your school year.
Michèle Andrews, Co-Founder & Executive Director
Climate Action Accelerator Program – Cohorts Starting in October & January
DoorNumberOne.org is registering our fifth cohort in the Climate Action Accelerator Program (CAAP)! CAAP is designed for student & adult learning, leadership and action. School teams participate over 3 years to build and begin to implement a bold, whole-school climate and nature action plan. School teams include at a minimum: Faculty, Operations & Facilities Staff, Senior Administrators, and at least 2 Student Leaders. The program includes workshops led by experts in school sustainability, student engagement, regenerative practices, nature and biomimicry and more, as well as special guest speakers, purpose-built resources for schools, and connections to leading practices across the world. Deadline to register for the October cohort: September 12th. Learn more here.
Leadership & Inspiration from Rockway Mennonite Collegiate
Enjoy this joy-filled celebration of their solar installation by the students and staff at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate in Kitchener, Ontario.
What can you do to share your accomplishments, create excitement, and build a movement in your community?
More Opportunities for Collaboration, Learning & Action!
Global Climate Summit @ Appleby College
Our partners at the Institute for Global Learning (formerly the Global Education Benchmark Group/GEBG) are hosting their 3rd annual Global Climate Summit October 23 – 25 at Appleby College – one of our pilot CAAP schools and a fantastic example of embodying bold, aspirational climate and nature action. We are excited to be collaborating and contributing to this event, and hope to see many of you there!
We encourage you to submit a presentation proposal – DEADLINE September 5th. Share the highs and lows of your own climate & nature initiatives. Learning from each other is essential to our collective impact. More information is here.
Regenerative Futures Conference @ Shawnigan Lake School
September 25 – 27 on the beautiful campus of Shawnigan Lake School, this will be a great intergenerational opportunity for students and staff, co-hosted by Cambridge University, University of British Columbia and Shawnigan Lake School. Three days of learning and collaboration for school teams to give you a jump start on your work for this year and beyond.
Our Executive Director, Michèle Andrews, will be on a panel of Leaders in Regenerative Practice.
More information is here.
Youth Action Summit @TFS – Canada’s International School
The second annual Youth Action Summit will be hosted by TFS – Canada’s International School on Saturday, November 22nd in Toronto. Led by students, for students and their adult allies wanting to catalyze bold climate and nature action towards a thriving future for all.
Registration will open in September. We are looking for students to contribute in many ways so please share this opportunity with your students! A call for student proposals will be out shortly with a September 26th deadline.Â
Deepen Your Indigenous Learning
Our partners at The Outdoor Learning School and Store have an incredible array of online learning options and resources. We encourage you to check them out! Use the code CERT20 to receive a discount on their courses.
Of special note is the 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning program. These online learning modules are self-guided, and released in sections. Each is intended to support participants in deepening their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. The dynamic program serves to strengthen connections with the Land and promotes more respectful, reciprocal relationships. Some of the areas covered in the courses include: Colonialism, Racism, History, Treaties, Residential Schools, Terminology, Relationships, Reconciliation, and Restitution. Speakers and presenters include author and broadcaster – Jesse Wente, musician and author Dr. Lyla June, Dr. Gregory Cajete, and Minister Debra Fisher, among others!
Please share this newsletter with your students, friends and colleagues looking for practical inspiration for taking climate and nature action in schools and communities, and join us in building a movement too exciting to resist, and too powerful to ignore!
Connect with us!
DoorNumberOne.org is a Canadian charity proudly catalyzing bold climate and nature action in and through schools.
DoorNumberOne.org is a Canadian charity proudly catalyzing bold climate and nature action in and through schools. Read our new Strategic Plan here.
Climate Action Accelerator Program costs are covered by participating schools, but there is so much else we are doing to share our resources and learning for all. If you want to support this work, please donate here, with our sincere thanks.