The Council of Canadians
A Season of Action for Water
Spring brings renewed energy to the Blue Community Schools movement. From World Water Day activities to inspiring educator leadership and the growing impact of our Ambassadors, this month’s updates highlight how schools and students are taking meaningful action to protect water and advance water justice.
World Water Day: March 22nd
Celebrate World Water Day on March 22nd and keep the learning going all year long. Through our Water Drop initiative, young people have sent heartfelt, handwritten messages to the Prime Minister, urging the federal government to finally resolve the drinking water crisis in First Nation communities.
The BCS lesson plan includes an engaging Teacher’s Kit designed to inspire action and deepen understanding of water justice. The kit also includes dynamic, age-appropriate slideshows exploring the Human Right to Water, as well as the powerful presentation Would You Drink This Water? for students of all ages.
Celebrating Blue Community Schools ~ Global Ambassadors
Blue Community Schools Ambassadors are recognized for their leadership and for the powerful example they set within our growing global network of schools and changemakers. Through their commitment to water education and action, they inspire students, colleagues, and communities alike.
We’re excited to share that we will soon be featuring our Global Ambassadors on the Blue Community Schools website, highlighting the incredible work they do to protect water and advance water justice.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all educators for their dedication to protecting water, uplifting their students, and sparking meaningful change in their classrooms and beyond.
Ambassador Spotlight – Celebrating BCS Leadership:
Cynthia Gilmore
Teacher
Montague Public School, Smith Falls, ON
We are proud to recognize Cynthia Gilmore, a passionate educator in Smiths Falls, Ontario, for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the Blue Community Schools movement.
Cynthia led the way in guiding Montague Public School to become the first certified Blue Community School in Ontario, and she continues to inspire and support other educators as they work toward certification. She has recently initiated a class project to spread the word about BCS within the Upper Canada District School Board.
A strong champion of World Water Day (March 22), Cynthia uses this global moment to engage students, spark meaningful conversations, and mobilize school communities around water protection.
Her enthusiasm, generosity in sharing resources, and dedication to empowering others, embody the spirit of the BCS movement, and we are grateful for the ripple effect she is creating across Ontario schools and beyond.
Learn about how Montague Public School achieved their certification and how they’re encouraging other schools to participate!
Explore the Resource Hub
Discover a growing collection of classroom-ready tools and educational resources on the Blue Community Schools website. From water protection and sustainability to community action, these materials are designed to support and inspire schools at every stage of their journey. If it’s been a while since your last visit, now is the perfect time to explore what’s new!
Movement Milestones
We’re thrilled to celebrate another exciting step forward in the Blue Community Schools movement!
Please join us in welcoming Redcliffe Middle School in Valley, Nova Scotia, which officially became a certified Blue Community School in February 2026. Their commitment to water protection and sustainability strengthens our growing network of schools taking meaningful action for water justice.
Congratulations to the students, educators, and wider school community at Redcliffe Middle School for this important achievement, and for helping to build momentum for clean water and environmental leadership across Canada.
UCDSB Earth Day Challenge
Earth Day is just around the corner on April 22, 2026, and the Grade 1 and 2 students at Montague Public School are leading the charge!
With incredible enthusiasm and heart, these young water champions have reached out across the Upper Canada District School Board to inspire other schools to become Blue Community Schools and/or to take part in the Earth Day Challenge. They’re inviting students board-wide to create and submit their own water droplets for the Council’s 2026 March on Parliament Hill, adding their voices to a powerful call for water protection.
Be sure to watch the linked video to see these inspiring students share what they’ve learned and to hear their heartfelt invitation for schools across the board to get involved!
