Comité environnemental révolutionnaire et formidable (CERF)
Externat Sacré-Coeur

May the most die-hard environmentalists be forewarned, the Comité environnemental révolutionnaire et formidable (CERF), an environmental committee at the Externat Sacré-Cœur in Rosemère, has plenty of ideas for persuading everybody to do their part for our planet. From salvaging cellular phones, ink cartridges and batteries, to recycling second-hand toys and replacing disposable dishes with reusable ones, the student members of CERF have an unending list of ways to reduce their school’s ecological footprint. And the best part is, everyone is involved.

When Nicole Marcouiller, the science and technology teacher, asked her students to prepare a presentation on cellular phones and their impact on the environment, she didn’t expect to see a few of her students come up with the suggestion to set up a project for salvaging cellular phones. One thing led to another, the project was endorsed by the school and took shape, and more importantly, since its official launch in February 2007, CERF has boosted volunteerism among students, whose commitment and the magnitude of their actions is amazing. “We really wanted to get this project off the ground. We believed in it and knew it would work,” recalls one of the founders Janie Mayeu, who is now in Secondary 4.

The project snowballed. Because of the organization’s efficiency in regard to recycling phones, ink cartridges, batteries and aluminium containers, the students decided to take on the recycling of compact discs and to salvage school supplies so as to give them a second life and then send everything to the Dominican Republic. But this was still not enough! CERF, the core of which is made up of fifteen or so members, for the most part students, then resolved to aim very high by changing the practices of their school cafeteria. “Replacing disposable dishes with reusable ones was our biggest project,” confides Secondary 4 student Guillaume Couture. “At first, several volunteer students were responsible for making sure the project worked properly but now it is well established. Everybody does their share.”

This year, CERF hasn’t broken its stride. A project launched last November to collect second-hand toys has enabled the students to donate close to 600 toys and games to the Joujou Récup “R” organization. And the committee will again be reintroducing its campaign for distributing indigenous species of trees as part of the trees and forests month. More than 150 people have already shown their interest by formally committing in writing to plant a tree and thus make a concrete gesture for the environment.

“Our actions have become contagious. Students and staff members alike are now asking what they can do to play an active role in our projects,” the teacher remarks.

“Our projects are not dictated by a trend but aim instead to truly improve the situation. And first and foremost, the example set at school then influences what people do at home. Every gesture counts. At school, waste has been reduced by almost two thirds. Isn’t that amazing!” points out Assistant Director of Student Services Ann Webber.

The success of CERF is so inspiring that it led to a partnership with Rosemère’s horticultural and ecological society in a project for developing discovery areas and rest areas along the banks of the Rivière aux Chiens, located near the Externat Sacré-Cœur.

Striving as much as possible to preach by example, even for their fund-raising activities - as all projects of course require a certain amount of funding -, the students created and sold over 800 bracelets made from 100% natural materials. Another project for greeting cards for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is also in the making. “There are a lot of students who help us with these fund-raising projects. They want to lend a hand and it’s motivating. With the committee, we have in a way become the voice for other students in all matters relating to the environment at school. Everyone can contribute ideas and we ensure that they are heard. It’s great to be able to be involved like this,” concludes Secondary 5 student Chloé Lavoie.

Comité environnemental révolutionnaire et formidable (CERF)
Externat Sacré-Coeur