NEWS: News Release
May 4, 2007
Ottawa Area Schools Recognized For Creating Healthy Learning Environments
Local Schools Receive Pennants For Meeting The McGuinty Government’s Healthy Schools Challenge
OTTAWA — Parkwood Hills Public School was presented with a healthy schools pennant to recognize its success in meeting the McGuinty government’s Healthy Schools Challenge, Jim Watson, Minister of Health Promotion and MPP, Ottawa-West Nepean announced today.
“Through the Ontario government’s Healthy Schools Recognition Program, schools in Ottawa have once again demonstrated their commitment to creating a healthy environment for their students,” said Watson. “I am honoured to recognize their efforts and to showcase their examples as healthy schools.”
The Parkwood Hills Public School Health and Wellness Team created several initiatives, including the"Fruits en Folie!" (Crazy for fruit) program and the TV Turnoff Challenge, in response to the Healthy Schools challenge.
Other local schools that responded to the challenge and received pennants include:
- Woodroffe Avenue Public School pledged to encourage its students to participate in extra-curricular physical activities, to eat healthier snacks, and to develop a bullying prevention program called Peacemakers.
- Frank Ryan Catholic Senior Elementary school pledged to implement an anti-bullying initiative called “Creating A Culture of Respect.”
- St. Paul Catholic High School pledged to establish an area for play during lunch break and Physical Education class and to purchase and install outdoor basketball nets.
The Healthy Schools Recognition Program was developed in partnership by the Ministries of Education and Health Promotion and launched in December 2006. To receive recognition, schools were asked to commit to becoming healthier and identify at least one new healthy activity or program this school year and submit a pledge signed by the school principal, school council chair and student representative. More than 1200 schools across Ontario have taken up the challenge to become healthier. You can learn more at www.edu.gov.on.ca.
In total, 57 Ottawa area schools have taken up the challenge to work together to make their schools healthier places to learn.
“We are very pleased to be part of the Healthy Schools family - it isn’t just about physical health, it’s about feeling good inside and out,” said Diane Powell, Princial, Parkwood Hills Public School. “A healthy school involves the whole school community – from parents to school staff. The Healthy Schools program is helping our students to reach their full potential by building on a solid foundation of health that enables them to do better in learning and in life."
“We know that schools play an important role in promoting the health of students,” said Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson. “Our government recognizes the importance of supporting programs that improve health in each school community and we applaud every school that took up the challenge to promote better health for its students through this program.”
“I’d like to congratulate all schools that have accepted our government’s Healthy Schools Challenge,” said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne. “Many of our schools are already leading the way. By working with students, parents and community members, I’m confident that Ontario’s schools can improve student health and student achievement even more.”
To support schools in their efforts, the Ministry of Education developed 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, www.edu.gov.on.ca. Tools, tips and best practices are also posted to help schools plan their activities.
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Contacts:
Adam Grachnik
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497
Julie Rosenberg
Communications Branch
416-326-4833
