May 4, 2007

More Than 1,200 Schools Rise To The Healthy Schools Challenge

Schools Have Pledged To Do More Than 2,000 New Healthy Activities

TORONTO — More than 1,200 schools have accepted the McGuinty government’s challenge and brought together students, parents and community partners to find ways of making schools healthier in this school year, Education Minister Kathleen Wynne and Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson announced today.

“I’m delighted by the huge response to our challenge and by the variety of great initiatives that schools have pledged to do,” said Wynne.  “I applaud all of the staff and students at these schools for their leadership and commitment to making their school a healthier environment.”

Pennants are being distributed to more than 1,200 schools over the next few weeks to recognize their acceptance of the government’s challenge to be a part of its Healthy Schools Recognition Program, launched in December 2006.  To accept the challenge and receive recognition, schools had to pledge to do at least one more healthy activity this school year.

“This challenge was simple, achievable and in the best interests of healthy young minds and bodies,” said Watson.  “I’m thrilled with how many schools have stepped up to the plate to help make their students, staff and principals healthier.” 

Some of the thousands of activities that schools have pledged to do include:

• Holding a health fair
• Planting a vegetable garden on school grounds
• Adding healthier food choices to the cafeteria menu
• Forming a weekly walking program
• Partnering with a community sports group to increase participation
• Adopting a school-wide bullying-prevention program
• Creating a diversity club to discuss ways of making all students feel welcome
• Offering free healthy snacks, such as a fruit basket outside the main office
• Engaging student leaders to conduct school-wide physical activity.

Schools were encouraged to consult with staff, students, parents and the community to choose their activities.  The Ministry of Education also provided a broad framework for healthy schools in consultation with experts from the education and health sectors.  The framework outlines components of a healthy school and is posted on the ministry’s website.  Tools, tips and best practices are also posted to help schools plan their activities and measure success. 

The McGuinty government has a variety of initiatives at work in Ontario’s schools to make them healthier places to learn, including:

• Asking elementary schools to remove junk food from vending machines
• Requiring 20 minutes of daily physical activity
• Encouraging secondary students to take a leadership role in healthy schools initiatives
• Introducing a comprehensive bullying prevention strategy
• Requiring every school board to have an anaphylactic policy in place (per Sabrina’s Law)
• Implementing the Northern Fruit and Vegetable pilot program
• Support for safer schools through new programs and by amending legislation.

“We know that students learn better when they’re in a healthier environment,” said Wynne.  “That’s why I’m encouraged by the great work that has been done by so many schools to find ways of becoming healthier.”

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www.ontario.ca/progress

Contacts:

Ministry of Education
Michelle Despault
Minister’s Office
416-212-3747

Patricia MacNeil
Communications Branch
416-325-2676

Public Inquiries:
416-325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514
TTY: 1-800-263-2892

Ministry of Health Promotion
Adam Grachnik
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497

Julie Rosenberg
Communications Branch
416-326-4833

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