On the first Thursday of every month during the school year, the Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) community observes “Carpool, Bike and Walk Day.”
Students, parents, teachers and staff are encouraged to carpool, bike or walk to and from school in fulfillment of its Eco-Schools’ Healthy Living and Climate Change goals. Since 2012, LCIS students have been keeping their commitment to protecting the environment and their health through various initiatives in the Eco-Schools Bahamas Programme.
On Friday 15 March 2019, LCIS received its third globally recognized Eco-Schools Green Flag Award after successfully undergoing an onsite evaluation by the ESB assessment team.
The prestigious Green Flag Award is the highest award level that a school can achieve through the ESB programme and can be granted every two years. LCIS met all award criteria and accomplished over two-thirds of the objectives detailed in its environmental action plans.
LCIS Early Learning students busy taking care of their vegetable and fruit gardens. The school’s kitchen utilizes many of the donated produce their healthy menus for staff and students.
According to LCIS principal, Dr. Stacey Bobo, “The programme has raised awareness. Even I am taking Green factors in to account in my discussions. The Eco-Schools Programme has become a key part of how we plan as an institution.” LCIS also maintains a litter free campus in fulfillment of the most critical component of the ESB programme. LCIS’ eco-code acronym, GREEN LICS aptly summarizes their environmental stewardship goals:
Go outside
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Ensure lights are off
Eat from a litter free lunch
No disposable water bottles
Litter in the bins
Carpool, bike or walk
I will keep track of my things
Stay at 24 (°C) or more
The LCIS Cans For Kids team has set a new goal to increase their total programme contribution from 4% to 7% of the cans collected annually for recycling through Can For Kids programme "Attaining our third Eco-Schools Green Flag is a significant accomplishment that represents our Eco-Club’s commitment to improving the environment through ongoing environmental review which informs our decision-making towards the implementation of sustainable programs and initiatives. This award reinforces that positive steps towards environmental improvement are attainable if the entire school community buys into its importance and participates," said LCIS Eco-Schools’ coordinator Mrs. Ashish Bowen.
LCIS’ kitchen uses biodegradable wooden eating utensils with their healthy meals and snacks.
According to Mateo Lopez, LCIS Eco-club president, "It has been my pleasure to oversee the development of the Eco-Schools program over the past few years. As president this year, it makes me very happy as the work that we have done during our sessions has contributed to the school community and to the program as a whole. I am also very happy to see new initiatives develop throughout the course of my tenure."
The Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation (BREEF) runs Eco-Schools in The Bahamas and Eco-Schools Bahamas is part of an international award programme developed in 1994 by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Eco-Schools is based on the work of student-led teams and recognizes schools that make a commitment to continuously improve their environmental practice. There are currently 30 Eco-schools in The Bahamas and over 52,000 Eco-Schools in 68 countries. Through identifying and implementing solutions for environmental challenges in their schools, students drive a spillover effect into the surrounding communities.
BREEF is especially pleased with the unparalleled continuity of the ESB programme at LCIS is excited that LCIS has pledged to assist neighboring western New Providence schools in joining the programme.
BREEF’s Education Coordinator Kevin Glinton stated “We extend our sincere thanks to LCIS assessors, Sally Johnson, of the Ministry of Education, Te-Shalla Clarke, of Dolphin Encounters and Samantha Miller-Cartwright, from The Bahamas Environment, Science & Technology Commission (BEST). We are very grateful for their continued support of the Eco-Schools Bahamas Programme which encourages young people to engage in their environment by allowing them the opportunity to actively protect it. We also congratulate the Eco-Committees of LCIS and Eco-Schools coordinators Ashish Bowen and Viviane Proffitt and principal Dr. Stacey Bobo on their Green Flag Award renewal.”
Schools interested in joining the Eco-Schools Bahamas programme can contact BREEF at 327-9000 or email: ecoschoolsbahamas@breef.org
