Envirathon Servathon
BACK IN
2022
Say it ain’t so! Due to current restrictions, Rockway’s Envirathon Servathon will return in 2022.
For 2021, Rockway students, faculty and staff, and Alumni and friends at Kindred Credit Union had looked forward to ‘Taking GOOD Care’ of our school, neighbourhood and community on THURSDAY, MAY 27 (this was a revised date in light of a provincial announcement that saw students return to e-Learning. Students continue to learn remotely, precluding any hopes of hosting Envirathon Servathon this spring).
What is Envirathon Servathon?
A student focus on philanthropy and good works is core to Rockway’s values and traditions. In keeping with this, on the first Monday in May, rain or shine, our entire school fan out to local organizations during Envirathon Seravathon.
Envirathon Servathon (ES) is a one-day event where Rockway students spend a full day doing GOOD WORK – either environmentally-helpful jobs (e.g. planting trees) or community service jobs (e.g. sorting clothes at a thrift store). Our school community – students and teachers alike – head into the fields, forests, rivers, soup kitchens and thrift stores to spend a day working together for good!
- Our earth and community benefit from a full-day of ‘green’ labour and support for local organizations.
- Students experience a day of hands-on volunteerism that teaches them the importance and joy of contributing to their community.
- The day builds community, connecting students, faculty and staff with numerous community organizations.
THANK YOU FOR ENJOYING ‘A TASTE OF SPRING…TO GO!’ AND SUPPORTING ROCKWAY
Back by popular demand was Rockway’s community building ‘To Go’ curb-side pick up meals. This time, we brought back an old favourite from the school cafeteria and updated it: Sweet & Sour Chicken with rice, lots of vegetables, a side spring salad, and a sweet meringue treat for dessert.
All proceeds supported outdoor learning areas at Rockway; donations received over and above the cost of your meal(s)were eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
Support Outdoor Campus Improvements at Rockway
For many years, students collected pledges in support of their participation in Envirathon Servathon and selected how proceeds were used to benefit the school. In more recent years, we now ask students to focus on volunteering.
Families and friends can still support students by donating to Envirathon Servathon and improvements to Rockway’s outdoor campus spaces. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all eligible donations of $10 or more.
Because we are an independent school, we must fund any capital improvements by donations. Campus improvements were completed to the track and gardens (with an emphasis on bee-friendly pollinator plants), and work is almost complete to install an outdoor art sculpture in the Alumni Courtyard, at the heart of our school. Watch for more updates this fall, as our students continue to rediscover and en
DONATE ONLINE TODAY or send your e-transfer to accountant@rockway.ca. 100% of your donations will help improve Rockway’s outdoor spaces for students.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING GOOD CARE AND SUPPORTING OUR ONGOING ENVIRATHON SERVATHON EFFORTS.
Thank you Envirathon Servathon site partners. We miss you and can’t wait to see you again:
- Trees for Guelph
- Dyck Steinmann Farm
- Marillac Place
- rare Charitable Research Reserve
- Sunnyside Home
- Hidden Acres Camp
- KW Habilitiation
- Worth a Second Look, The Working Centre
- St. John’s Kitchen, The Working Centre
- The Coping Centre – Blair Rd
- Growing Hope Farms
- House of Friendship – Kingsdale Community Centre
- MCC Ontario @ 50 Kent Ave
- Rockway Campus
- Thrift on Kent, MCC Thrift store
- Hacienda Sarria Garden, The Working Centre
Watch our highlight video from 2018:
Envirathon-Servathon is coming!
Envirathon-Servathon is happening on April 25th! Read on to learn more about this important day in the life of our school.
What is Envirathon-Servathon?
Envirathon-Servathon (E/S) is a fundraising event where Rockway students are sponsored to spend a full day doing GOOD WORK – either environmentally-helpful jobs (e.g. planting trees) or community service jobs (e.g. sorting clothes at a thrift store).
The entire school community, students & teachers alike, head into the fields, forests, rivers, soup kitchens and thrift stores to spend a day working together for a good cause!
How does the fundraising part work?
Each student solicits their own sponsors for the event. The money collected from sponsors goes toward purchasing items to enhance Rockway’s programs. Sometimes items are for academic-specific purposes (e.g. the zero emissions electric truck in our Design & Tech department), and sometimes they are to enhance the school-at-large (solar panels for our roof).
Watch this highlight video from our 2012 Envirathon/Servathon:
Why is E/S important?
E/S is a win-win for students, Rockway, and our surrounding community:
- Students experience a day of hands-on, community-building work that teaches the importance of volunteering. They also are automatically credited with 6 hours of community service towards their diploma.
- Rockway benefits from being able to purchase updated equipment to enhance our educational program.
- Our community benefits from a full-day of free “green” labour! Since E/S started, our students have planted thousands of trees in our region – not to mention all the garbage they’ve collected, and food they’ve sorted.
How can I sponsor a student?
Students received their green sponsor sheets on April 2nd. To sponsor a Rockway student, simply tell the student the amount you wish to donate, along with your contact information. As a sponsor, you have the choice of either paying the student up front, or being invoiced later by the school. Donations of $20 or more will be issued tax receipts.
Know of any “green” jobs or local service opportunities that our students could help with? We’re always looking for new opportunities. Contact Dennis Wikerd, our E/S job coodinator.
Information for Parents & Students
Who participates in E/S?
All students (grades 7 – 12) participate in this event. The day runs on regular school hours (8:20 am – 3:30 pm). There are no classes held that day – students should go to their homerooms and they will be directed to their job from there.
Is there a rain date for E/S?
No! The day will happen rain or shine – so please dress in layers, and come prepared to spend the day outside.
Who gets to decide what the money is spent on?
Rockway’s student council works for with faculty & administration on deciding how the money is distributed each year. This allows students to have a say in our spending priorities and invests them in the outcome.
Do students collect the money themselves?
Students offer each sponsor the choice of either paying upfront or having the school invoice them by mail later. The school will issue tax receipts to each sponsor for donations of $20 or more, regardless of payment type.
What types of jobs will students do?
Jobs have included tree planting, trail and river clean-up, working in food banks, soup kitchens, thrift shops and supporting related community service agencies in the region.
Know of any “green” jobs or local service opportunities that our students could help with? We’re always on the look out for new opportunities – contact Dennis Wikerd, our E/S job coodinator.
Here’s a quick breakdown of who’s doing what:
|
Rockway will:
|
|
Students will:
|
