This special interest program will welcome its first cohort of East York CI students in September 2024. Students in the program will develop their leadership skills through the lens of environmental sustainability. GELS students will take some of their core courses together to allow for deep and meaningful collaboration around their shared interest in the environment. The GELS program will include a variety of experiential learning and co-curricular opportunities so students can take action.
This is a local special interest program. This means that it is open to students who live in East York’s catchment area or who have been accepted to East York CI through the Out-of-Area Admissions procedure. The program is intended for all incoming East York CI students with an interest in environmental sustainability. GELS courses are inclusive for students on a variety of academic pathways. Students will graduate with a certificate of achievement for completing the program.
Students can only select one of the specialised programs offered at East York CI (GELS OR French Immersion OR SHSM)
Students will be grouped into a cohort* for 2 courses in each of grades 9 and 10. The cohort will continue into one course in grade 11. In grade 12 students will have the option of furthering their learning in a variety of suggested elective courses:
Grade 9
CGC1DP - Issues in Canadian Geography
SNC1WP - Science
Grade 10
HFN2OP - Food and Nutrition
SNC2DP - Science
Grade 11
SVN3MP - Environmental Science
Grade 12 suggested electives
CGR4M - Environmental Resource Management
HFA4U/C - Nutrition and Health
HNB4M - The World of Fashion
*cohorting is dependent on the number of students who select the program.
Grade 9 overnight retreat to a TDSB Outdoor Education Centre
Cross Curricular science, geography and food and nutrition projects such as making bioplastics and building solar ovens
EcoSchools leadership opportunities: environmental audits, Earth hour, sustainability activities
Participation in pollinator garden development and maintenance, courtyard planting opportunities
Tree planting excursions
Excursions to learn about local ecology
Farm to table nutrition and visits to the local farmers market