Raft River Elementary School: Leading the Way in Sustainability

Story provided by Jayanthi Saravanan, Raft River Elementary School Teacher

Raft River Elementary School in Clearwater, BC is taking some exciting steps toward sustainability and environmental excellence. This year, with the support of Principal Carmella Mathieu, Raft River staff and students launched an Eco Club. Under the leadership of Ms. Elizabeth Shook and a dedicated team of teachers, including Ms. Victoria Cooke, Ms. Christina Scrivner, and Ms. Jayanthi Saravanan, the school is working toward achieving Platinum Certification from Eco Schools Canada.

One of Raft River’s standout initiatives is the Goose Paper Drive, an innovative project that encourages the reuse of partially used paper. This simple yet impactful project has received overwhelming support from both students and staff, significantly reducing waste while promoting sustainable, eco-friendly habits. The participation of everyone in this initiative exemplifies the school community’s commitment to making a positive difference in the environment.

In addition to the Goose Paper Drive, Raft River Elementary also has several other sustainability initiatives, including school gardens, composting systems, and energy-saving programs, which have been in place for years. These efforts not only align with their sustainability goals but also provide invaluable hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Students and staff are also excited about upcoming projects planned for the next few months, which will further foster environmental awareness and responsibility within the school community. These initiatives are a testament to the enthusiasm and dedication of Raft River students and staff. The Raft River school community is proud to be working together toward a greener, more sustainable future.

The Kamloops-Thompson School Districts is excited to celebrate this story on Earth Day, an annual global event on April 22 where people all over the world demonstrate their support for environmental protection. Sustainability is one of the core values in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan – as a District we are committed to embracing our responsibility to contribute to a sustainable environment. Thank you to the staff and students at Raft River Elementary School, and all schools across the District, for the work you are doing to ensure sustainability remains at the forefront of your schools and communities.