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Earth Week: Hands-On Learning, Community Impact, and Environmental Leadership

4/25/2025

Earth Week at SMLS was full of the kind of energy and initiative that shows what students can do when they’re given the chance to lead, learn, and get their hands dirty (literally!). With activities happening all week across Middle School, students stepped up in big ways to give back to their community and environment.

One of the week’s standouts was our Grade 7 tree planting at Beechnut Woods, in partnership with Oakvillegreen and the Town of Oakville. It’s a tradition we’ve kept going for 14 years now, and this time, 70 trees were planted. The weather couldn’t have been better, and the students were all in—shovels, mud, laughter and all.

Additionally, our Grade 6 Millies made native seed bombs that Oakvillegreen will eventually spread across local parks. Grade 8s decorated garden rocks to brighten up our campus. The whole school got involved in a garbage pick-up during recess, and we ran a student-led Eco Upcycle Sale where families donated gently used books, clothes, and toys. Anything unsold will be passed along to community organizations like SafetyNet and Kerr Street Mission.

We wrapped up with our Social Documentary afternoon and a concession stand run by the Middle School Eco Club—no single-use plastics in sight, and students brought their own bowls for snacks.

These activities are part of a larger effort by the SMLS Eco Club, which has been tracking initiatives all year toward achieving EcoSchools certification. With the momentum from Earth Week, the school is hopeful to achieve Gold status!

Earth Week at SMLS is a reflection of our commitment to future-ready education rooted in stewardship, leadership, and action.

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