This award is designed to reward and celebrate individuals and partners who work together to achieve positive health outcomes for children and youth.  The award categories are Individual Champions who have made outstanding contributions to improve the health of children and youth in the school community.  Champion Groups of parents, teachers, and/or students within a school environment that have made an outstanding collaborative contribution to improving the health of children and youth in the school community.  And Champion Partnerships that demonstrate collaboration between members from the education and/or health sectors as well as other local/municipal businesses, associations and/or organizations that have made tremendous commitments in support of healthy school communities.

Individual Recipients

Grace Robertson, Teacher, St. Joseph School, Spruce Grove

Grace Robertson involved staff and parents in her goal of improving the health of the children, families and staff in the Spruce Grove district. She began by co-coordinating a month of health activities that became known as the February Health Blitz.  School monthly activities now include an after-school workout routine, a “No Tube” (TV) Tuesday challenge and a health club that promotes healthy living in both school and home environments.

Susan Martin, Principal/Teacher Jenner Colony School, Jenner

Susan Martin has helped to promote healthy eating and active living during the last seven years of her 27-year teaching career in the Jenner Hutterite colony. She set out to influence a community that loved to indulge in candy, was inactive and faced other health issues. With the full support of the Jenner colony, she established daily walks around the colony, daily exercise programs, a healthy snacks program and a regime for brushing teeth after lunch.

Wanda Christensen, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Wolf Creek School Division

Wanda Christiansen aimed to strengthen the links between health and student success for schools in her division. With the support of the Alberta Healthy School Community Wellness fund, Wanda has engaged 28 schools with dedicated health champions to create professional development opportunities and in-school time to implement the project.

Karie Ackerman, parent, Ponoka Elementary School, Ponoka

As an active parent in the Ponoka area, Kari Ackerman took action to improve children’s health in her community.  With the support of the Alberta Healthy School Community Wellness Fund, she established the Ponoka Elementary School – Growing Healthy Albertans project. Under this project, students receive nutritious snacks and are encouraged to be physically active each day. Known as the “smoothie lady,” Kari takes time to make fruit smoothies for students, staff and friends and has recruited the support of local food vendors to provide other nutritional items.

Group Recipients

Poplar Ridge School, Red Deer

Poplar Ridge School staff addressed nutrition through healthy snacks, a healthy hot lunch program and Club Moo - a club where milk, not pop, is the drink of choice.  A positive social environment was encouraged by having all students and families sign a “Bully Prevention Oath.” A friendship garden was created to allow a quiet space for children experiencing loss. The school has increased participation in its noon hour sports program and basketball practices. Poplar Ridge School also includes local seniors and charities in a variety of projects to build a healthier school community.

Woodbine School, Calgary

Woodbine School has actively addressed healthy eating, active living and mental health resiliency since 2005. The school reviewed and updated their school motto, policy and infrastructure to support health promotion, and created a Health Action Committee. Woodbine School’s accomplishments include Fitness Fridays, Fresh Fruit Fridays, Jump Rope for Heart and discontinuing candy as a reward in programs.  Parents now report their children are encouraging healthier food choices at home.

Teaming Up 4 Healthy Learners’ Committee, Tuscany School, Calgary

Tuscany School recognizes the importance of establishing healthy habits early. The school program features Fruity Fridays, monthly recognition of student leaders, runs and walks at recess or at lunch time, and “Support Your Sport” day. Junk food is now absent from traditional celebrations like Halloween and birthdays. Tuscany School notes a decrease in bullying incidents and an increase in healthy living awareness and learning measured through surveys.

Partnerships

Board of Trustees, Red Deer Public Schools, Red Deer

Red Deer Public Schools promotes healthy eating through a policy that sets standards for the sale and distribution of food and beverages within the school district. The Board of Trustees took this trend-setting course of action after consulting with parents, teachers, students and community members in a town hall meeting in 2007. Positive changes toward nutrition have been seen in the business community that serves the schools as well as with parents in their homes.

Creating Sustainable Active Leadership Project, Olds

The Creating Sustainable Active Leadership Project is a collaborative effort between five partners:  Olds College, Chinook’s Edge School Division, Alberta Health Services, the Community Learning Campus and the Town of Olds. Under the project, Grades 6 to12 students in six schools in the Chinook’s Edge School Division have been involved in making healthy changes in their schools through student led initiatives. Results of the project show 95 per cent of student participation in special physical activity days, 90 per cent student participation in intramural programs and 85
per cent of student leaders indicating their desire to continue with the project.

École Our Lady of the Rosary School, Sylvan Lake

Visitors to the École Our Lady of the Rosary School will observe no vending machines, a milk program and healthy lunches provided by parents. The school has worked in partnership with many agencies in the Town of Sylvan Lake to create a schoolyard that encourages learning in the outdoors and hands-on experiences. Students grow fruits and vegetables and share their harvest with community organizations. Involving local seniors in the school’s gardening program has helped to bridge generations and has created a positive effect on the school community.