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Podclass logo with text that reads "Resources to support inclusion and diversity in school communities".

Have you Heard? The Ever Active Schools Podclass as a Resource to Support Inclusion and Diversity in School Communities

Written by: Katie Mahon, Ever Active Schools Have you heard? Ever Active Schools launched a podcast in late 2020 called The Podclass. Intended as an educational resource, our hosts chat with professionals in health, education, inclusion and diversity, and well-being to explore connections between the three.   The first series, Conversations on School Health, is…
A circle of adults during a basketball coaching clinic with a rolling whiteboard in the centre.

EVERYBODY PLAYS: LEAGUES OF PLAY

In the 2022/2023 school year, Ever Active Schools and Canadian Tire Jumpstart entered into a multi-year partnership centered around the dream that everybody plays. Through this work, we are providing: 100% opportunity to participate so that everybody plays. Focus on priority populations so that everybody plays. Capacity building through grassroots approaches so that everybody plays.…

HOSTING A HISTORIC ATHLETIC EVENT

In October 2022, Ever Active Schools had the opportunity to co-host the Alberta School Athletics Association (ASAA) Cross Country Running Provincial Championships with maskêkosihk, or Enoch Cree Nation. This was only the second time in ASAA history that a First Nation community was selected to host.  “It was so special because the Cultural Grounds [where…

HOW TO HOST A YOUTH FUN RUN OR WALK EVENT

Written by Hayley Degaust, Ever Active Schools The AMA Youth Run Club is a free, fun and flexible opportunity for schools and students to get active! Run, walk or roll your way to a healthier school community at any grade level. Hosting a fun run or walk event is a great way to either kick…

ACKNOWLEDGING THE PAST THAT ENSURED OUR FUTURE

Acknowledging the Past that Ensured Our Future Written by Apsipistoo (Evans Yellow Old Woman) Oki Niksokowa, nistoo’unohk Apsipistoo, nitohmto’to Siksikawa.  Hello my friends, my name is Apsipistoo, which is my Siksika name. It was gifted to me by my late great grandmother Koomakii, who hailed from the Blood Tribe. My name means White Owl.  My…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE JOY4ALL PROJECT

By the student team behind Joy4All It’s important to celebrate all things big and small as we move into another spring focussed on virtual learning and caring for the well-being of our families, friends, and communities. Here at Ever Active Schools, we recently celebrated the very first birthday of The Joy4All Project: a phone hotline…

SELF REGULATION THROUGH MINDFULNESS, MEDITATION AND BREATHWORK

Written by Shonna Lamb, E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP With vast access to unlimited content, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when you want to develop a deeper understanding and relationship with meditation and mindfulness practices. Ever Active Schools and I have partnered together to create videos to help you dip your…
Close up of green leaves from below with sunshine above and a sun spot creating an orange ring.

CRAFTING MEANINGFUL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Beginning in September 2020, Ever Active Schools began to question our practice of territory land acknowledgements. The tipping point for some staff could be expressed in the words of Kay Ho: “Oftentimes, when non-Indigenous organizers make a territory acknowledgement, it is done hastily, and then discarded.” (2014, An Introduction to Settler Colonialism: Part Three) This…

PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP!

Written by Megan Weiler, Krista Trim and Kayli McClelland The days are getting longer, the sun is shining warmer, and the people are coming out to play. It’s spring time, and we’re going to enjoy every minute of it. The easiest way to take advantage of the changing weather is to get out there and…
The EAS Box: Move Your Body, Grow Your Brain

MOVE YOUR BODY, GROW YOUR BRAIN

It’s no secret that physical activity boosts brain health: just read the 2018 ParticpACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth! While we all know that movement can help our children and youth learn better, oftentimes we find it hard to prioritize physical activity. Teachers might have curricular outcomes to focus on, out-of-school…

Canadian Outdoor Experience

A boy running in skates on ice with a support to lean on as part of the Canadian Outdoor Experience project

With an influx of over 7,000 newcomer students in Calgary in the fall of 2024, Ever Active Schools established a partnership with the LEAD program (Literacy, English, and Academic Development) out of the Calgary Board of Education to support the new students with physical activity opportunities. The Canadian Outdoor Experience program was created, supporting nearly 200 students with 3 different “Canadian” experiences. The program consisted of skating lessons for all students, an opportunity to learn and try out Indigenous games, as well as an outdoor trip to the mountains where the students could try out hiking for the first time. The program has been made accessible so students of all abilities have the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way.

"Our students had a wonderful time skating at the Oval! What an incredible experience for the youth who are brand new to Canada! We greatly appreciate the way that your organization funded our transportation, skate rentals, and ice time. We also love how this opportunity (with its challenges and victories) served as a very tangible lesson in effort, resilience, and courage. These are all important qualities for our refugee students. Please know that you made a huge impact on our students' learning and life outcomes"

LEAD Teacher

"I really want to say thank you for your kindness, goodness, and organizing this wonderful day for us. I know you worked hard to get this chance for us. You gave us many incredible words and you made out day. Becuase of you I will never forget this day."

Melat

LEAD Student

"This is like a dream and I never want to wake up"

LEAD Student

Designation

"Thank you for encouraging me to keep skating. Because of you, I like skating. Yesterday was fun and beautiful"

Leeh

LEAD Student

Project Partners

This work would not be possible without the partnership of the following organizations: