A Much Deserved ‘Eco-School’ Title - Elizabeth K. EJM has recently achieved the status of ‘Eco-School’. To find out more about this much sought-after certification, I paid a visit to Mrs. Elliot, head of the Eco-Committee. In order to become an Eco-School, one must be certified by Teragir, a non-profit organisation that aims to preserve the environment. A lot of work and effort is needed to achieve the title, and we have our Eco-Committee to thank for carrying out the sometimes unnoticed but necessary tasks. This might include notes of meetings (to make sure you are holding them regularly in a productive manner), photos of the steps you have taken, and a file regrouping all of your information, similar to a CV. This file is then sent to the organisation who will inform you if you have, essentially, passed the requirements. Ecole Jeannine Manuel first started being involved in this project through the EJM campus in Lille. Mr. Burford, a science teacher there, attended a conference about it in 2016 and decided that he would make École Jeannine Manuel Lille an Eco-School. He presented the idea to the forum pédagogique, and Mme. Zéboulon, our headteacher, decided that Paris would also be made an Eco-School. The relay was then taken by Mrs. Thorup, in charge of the Student Council, and in 2017 a group of parents and teachers also joined the initiative.
The Eco-School banner in the courtyard
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You might have noticed that in every classroom there is a green cardboard box with ‘Scrap Paper’ written in big on the front. Or maybe you haven’t noticed those, but you’ve noticed that plastic water bottles are no longer on sale in the cafeteria. Or maybe it’s the ‘turn off the lights’ campaign, a reminder to never leave the lights on in an empty classroom, that piqued your interest. Either way, there is no denying the fact that a lot has been achieved, and that our ‘Eco-School’ title is well deserved.
The ‘turn off the lights’ campaign - one of the many Eco-Committee initatives
Although for 2 years the tireless work carried out by the Eco-Committee was deemed unsatisfactory by Teragir, in 2019 the hard work paid off, as the EcoClub, taken over by Mrs. Elliot and Mme. Lemaire, finally managed to secure the Eco-Ecole accreditation. But we shouldn’t rejoice too soon, as the renewal is yearly, and we, as a school, have to make sure that we stay an ‘Eco-School’. A lot is in store this year, with a focus on biodiversity and food waste, notably in the canteen. The Eco-Committee is made up of students from all levels, ranging from 6eme to Terminale, a united group who cares about the consequences of your actions. So students, listen up! If you care about saving our planet and want to make sure that EJM keeps it’s much deserved ‘Eco School’ title, get to work! The Eco-Committee holds weekly meetings, and is run by students with a little help from adults.
