Welcome to the Ever Active Schools Blog!
We are pleased to present healthy school community stories surrounding thought leadership, health champions and innovative ideas, all supporting healthy school communities through a Comprehensive School Health lens.
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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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Written by Chesa Peter and Kayli McClelland If you’ve lived in Alberta between October and May (okay, really, any time of year), you know that our winters here can be harsh! The cold weather isn’t going anywhere and neither are we, so it’s time to learn to get along. The Cold Weather Recess Planning Guide…
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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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“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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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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My mom’s birthday is September 3rd, and I remember how excited she would always get at this time of year. It was back to school, back to routine and schedules. As a child I never shared her optimism for summer’s end; but as the years go on I find myself with the same enjoyment of…
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Written by Tracey Coutts and Scott Bailey Looking for a versatile, cost-effective way to increase physical activity and improve literacy in your school community? Well, have we got a tale for you. Trail Tales was launched in Parkland School Division 70 as a means to promote physical activity and literacy, while enhancing the active travel…
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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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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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For the past 14 years, ParticipACTION has released report cards that grade Canadians on their physical activity behaviours. The report cards bring together data from a variety of sources to give evidence-based grades on a number of different indicators. Dr. John Spence is a Professor and Vice Dean at the University of Alberta within the…
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Written by Dana Fulwiler, Provincial Project Coordinator, Ever Active Schools “Building Resilience in Four Questions” is part 3 of 4 in a series on Teacher and Staff Well-being. “Like tiny seeds with potent power to push through tough ground and become mighty trees, we hold innate reserves of unimaginable strength. We are resilient.” ― Catherine…
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“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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Written by Dana Fulwiler, MEd, MAPP, Ever Active Schools “When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other.” – Margaret J. Wheatley This quote seems particularly relevant right now as we practice physical distancing to keep…
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Written by Dana Fulwiler, Ever Active Schools DEAR TEACHERS: WE SEE YOU. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE THANK YOU. The world today looks very different than it did just a few short months ago. Our homes have transformed into workplaces, schools, and places of rest and healing. While we may all be riding out the same…
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Written by Dayna Landry, Teacher at Aurora Elementary School, Wildrose School Division I want to start by saying how amazing my school is. I know that everyone says that, but it’s really true for mine. From the moment you walk in our front doors, you are greeted by and treated to the most welcoming, warm…
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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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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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Written by David Benay. Originally published at Active for Life PHYSICAL EDUCATION DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN IN A GYMNASIUM. I’m a big proponent of active free play outside during physical education (PE) class. In my PE classes, I plan for quite a lot of it when the weather allows. There are so many benefits of free play outside…
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DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS ESSENTIAL IN SCHOOLS FOR MANY REASONS. Sure, DPA is important (even critical!) to health and learning outcomes, but it is also a lot of fun! How great is it to see students smiling, working and problem solving with others? And hearing all the laughter? So much is being experienced in those moments…
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WE SAY IT EVERY YEAR, BUT THIS MAY VERY WELL HAVE BEEN THE BEST SHAPING THE FUTURE YET. All-day Wednesday and on Thursday morning, the most eager delegates attended pre-conference sessions. Some became certified Field Leaders with the Outdoor Council of Canada. Some learned inclusive teaching practices. Some contributed to re-defining recess to suit modern…
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