Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1506618
ENTRE NOUS 20 BETTER TOGETHER Right now, TFS' biggest climate challenge is how to move forward so that we can have the greatest impact. The answer is as a community, together. A significant number of students and staff stepped forward to become part of our Green Committee, TFS' own small army of eco-solvers.* At the same time, Dr. Smith, Ms. Woolard, Ms. He, Sarah Endsley, a Senior School biology and chemistry teacher, and Ben Blakey, the new environmental education teacher for the younger grades at the Toronto campus, were looking into forming a smaller team to join the Climate Action Accelerator Program (CAAP), run by doornumberone.org. Becoming part of CAAP has allowed us to start developing a multi-year, school-wide climate action plan, with defined objectives, actions and measurable results. It also connects us with other independent schools from across the country, so that we are learning together and from each other. TFS' CAAP team has now become a reality and has brought together our Head of School, teachers, parents, and Foundation board members, a member of our communications department, and importantly our students, including a group of passionate Grade 4s from the Junior School. These multigenerational collectives have no intention of waiting for someone else to tackle our climate change problem. Says Dr. Smith, "We need to drive this forward. CAAP has compelled us to do this with more amplification." Once the TFS plan is finished and actionable, the Green Committee will be brought together to help make it happen. Danae d.B., a Level V CAAP student leader, sums it up this way: "In the direction we are going now, in 2030 I would definitely see a forward-thinking, environmentally friendly school. Knowing the steps we are taking already, TFS is on the right track to becoming carbon neutral and making a change for the better." * This writer would be remiss without also mentioning the invaluable contributions of Anne Companie, the long-time Eco- Leader at the West Campus, and retired teachers and foundational Eco-Leaders Régis Boucher and Josette Bouchard. Mille mercis !