| 3. Care for and Create Vibrant Schools Grounds | Top |
| Tool | Description | Download |
| Vibrant School Grounds EcoReview | A series of questions to help schools assess their current level of achievement. (This list is identical to the questions in the online certification application.) | Click Here |
| Road Map: An Overview of the School Ground Greening Process | Greening project skeleton checklist that takes schools through the basic steps from getting started to maintenance and evaluation. New this year are suggestions for meaningful student involvement. | Click Here |
| Window of School Ground Wishes | Graphic that invites elementary students to draw a picture of "the best school ground ever." | Click Here |
| Student Survey (elementary) | Allows students a means to thoughtfully voice their own ideas about how they use the school ground and what they feel about it. | Click Here |
| Student Survey (secondary) | A tool for a greening club or EcoTeam to generate interest in, and learn others' ideas about, what they like and don't like in their school ground, and what they'd change or add. | Click Here |
| Sample Letter to Announce Your Project: General Letter for all Greening Projects | Suggestions about the basic information that should be included in a sample letter announcing the school's greening project to the community. | Click Here |
| Helpful How-to Guides | Guides to provide greater depth, whether it's getting started, planning and design, funding, or recommended tree and shrub species. | Click Here |
| Board Support for School Ground Greening | Information about kinds of support available for greening projects, an outline of work that must be done by Board staff, and information about trees and tree replacement. | Click Here |
| Design Consultation Process | Consultation and approvals process information to help schools make the most of the Board's professional horticulture and landscape architect expertise. | Click Here |
| Guidelines for Tree and Shrub Planting Projects | A concise 2-page summary of important distinctions between small and large tree planting processes; where to locate native species' lists and prices; minimum tree size; importance of choosing tree locations for maximum benefits; and tree care. | Click Here |
| School Food Gardens | Expert advice in an easy-to-digest 2-page chart on “basics” and “care/plant selection/resources.” | Click Here |
| Vegetable Seed Planting Table | Basic information about which vegetables are best for school gardens, when to start indoors, and how to plant outside. | Click Here |
| Fundraising Tips | Expert advice on how to write a grant application that will succeed. | Click Here |
| Sample Budget: Native Plants and Other Resources | Specific examples of the kinds of materials, in addition to plants, that should be in the greening project's budget. | Click Here |
| Preparing for Planting Day | A checklist to remind schools of the many things to attend to in advance of planting trees. | Click Here |
| Planting Day Tips—Small Trees | Suggestions for a successful planting day, including tools needed, and managing private suppliers. | Click Here |
| Nature Study Areas | Definition and basic information about how find out if your school ground is suitable and how to begin the process of establishing a Nature Study Area. | Click Here |
| Mulch Is Magic: Spread It! | A clear list of why to mulch, how to mulch, and what to order. | Click Here |
| The Bucket Watering Method for Trees in a Grove | Step-by-step instructions for following this ingenious method for watering that allows you to know that you have given trees sufficient water. | Click Here |
| Invasive Plant Species: Stop the Spread! | Information about invasive species commonly found on TDSB school grounds and what schools can do to help protect biodiversity in Toronto. Also includes links to teacher resources! | Click Here |