St. Anthony’s School is being honoured by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) for its work to create a healthy atmosphere in the school.
The school is the recipient of the Creating Supportive Environments Award by the Association. Two of their teacher-leaders will be receiving the award at the ChooseWell Awards Reception/ ARPA Conference in Lake Louise come October.
Connie Duggan is the team leader. She stresses the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle to students.
“The healthier our society, the better we are,” she said. “It is good for students wellbeing and they actually learn better when they are fed well and have the right nutrients in their body. They grow properly. The initiative itself makes students feel like they are cared for.”
To that end, her team and staff have implemented a number of initiatives, some dealing with food choices, others with physical activity.
One initiative is the growing tower. This teaches students about the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables, by growing them year round indoors with a hydroponic tower using grow lights.
The school has also partnered with Extra Foods to bring in fresh fruits and vegetables for students.
“They have been providing our school, free of charge, every week with fresh fruits and veggies. Our foods classes prepare them and they distribute them to all the classes,” said Duggan. “Once a week we are ensuring that students are getting a healthy snack or for some, a healthy breakfast.”
Another food-based initiative is cooking club. Last spring Division 2 students in elementary could join an afternoon school club where they learned to prepare snacks and meals.
The have also created a running club to promote physical activity, something that is lacking in many students’ lives.
“The obesity rate is getting worse, especially with all the technology now, kids aren’t moving as much,” she said. “Just for their well being, socially, physiologically and psychologically, it is a win–win situation for everybody.”
Duggan stresses that it is a holistic school effort. Teachers Kayla Angeltvedt and Gail Smith have been working with the elementary school students, while Duggan and Paula Schuck have been facilitating in the junior high and high school.
The Creating Supportive Environments Award recognizes efforts that have made Alberta communities more conducive to healthy living through enhancing the physical and/or social, environment.
