TOP TEN TEACHER GIFTS

Online schooling. Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels

Teachers. They’re hard-working, selfless, dedicated, and a million other words for “awesome”. While this year has been hard on everyone in different ways, education professionals have pivoted with grace for the sake of our students’ health and well-being. Perhaps it’s time we turn the tables and send a little love and thank you back –…

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CELEBRATIONS MATTER: HALLOWEEN 2020

Written by Tracey Coutts, Ever Active Schools THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WHO COULD HAVE PREDICTED THE DIFFICULTY OF THE DECISIONS TO COME AROUD HALLOWEEN 2020? A Halloween night, with a full moon, falling on a Saturday for the first time in five years, should be a spooky season lover’s dream. And yet, here we are,…

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CULTIVATING STUDENTS AS CHANGE AGENTS

Written by Katelynn Theal, Ever Active Schools Through research led by Dr. Kate Storey and her team with the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta, it has been demonstrated that there are necessary conditions that need to be in place within a school setting for the Comprehensive School Health (CSH) to be…

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RUN, WALK AND ROLL WITH THE AMA YOUTH RUN CLUB

“It got me running too and connected to the kids on a different level.” – A 2019/2020 Run Club coach The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Youth Run Club has been supporting Alberta students with free, fun and flexible programming for 7 years, and while clubs may look a little different this year, all the great…

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DON’T WALK IN THE HALLWAY: ENERGIZER ACTIVITIES

Originally published in Healthy Schools Alberta Magazine Fall 2016 Edition Recognizing the importance of promoting healthy learning environments, floor decals offer a way to modify school spaces, helping to activate your students and enliven your lessons. Activities that range in intensity have demonstrated the ability to increase a student’s readiness to learn. The Don’t Walk…

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A TRADITIONAL FOODS CAMP IN ENOCH, ALBERTA

Written by Chelsea Cattroll, Ever Active Schools Once upon a time, in a not-so-distant past, Ever Active Schools and Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) launched a project called Miyomahchihowin (“In Good Health” in Cree). This project aimed to support pathways to employment and post-secondary education for Indigenous youth. Fast forward a few years and new…

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MY HEART IS FULL: COMBATING COVID-19 THROUGH TRADITIONAL SKILLS

Written by Chelsea Cattroll, Ever Active Schools, with support from Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis, kâniyâsihk Culture Camps We turn to the land when we are stressed to re-connect to ourselves and become grounded. During a time that can be perceived as stressful and turbulent, I have seen that many people are starting to return to…

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THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING TO NATURE

“The Importance of Connecting to Nature”, written by Tracey Gilmour for Ever Active Schools. Originally published in Healthy Schools Alberta Magazine Winter 2018 edition. This article has been modified from its original format. “IMAGINE A WORLD… in which all children grow up with a deep understanding of the world around them. Where [health concerns] are…

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WALKING YOUR WAY TO A MINDFUL STATE

walking/standing in leaves

Written by Chesa Peter, School Health Facilitator, Ever Active Schools. Originally published in Healthy Schools Alberta Magazine Special Edition: Active Transportation IN RECENT YEARS, THE NUMBER OF STUDIES ON MINDFULNESS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF EDUCATION HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. Many studies have demonstrated strong correlations between mindfulness practice and cognitive outcomes such as improved attention and…

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EXPLORING LOOSE PARTS PLAY AT HOME

Loose Parts Play in action.

WITH THE RECENT NEWS OF CLASSES BEING CANCELLED AND CHILDREN AND YOUTH SPENDING MORE TIME AT HOME OR AWAY FROM SCHOOL, LOOSE PARTS PLAY IS ONE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN A VARIETY OF PLAY EXPERIENCES! Loose parts play is an unstructured, free play opportunity for children, youth and adults. The play must be child-directed, freely-chosen…

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