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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…

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…

Recreation Leadership students pulling another student in a sit down bicycle

Recreation Leadership, developed by Ever Active Schools, is an off-campus program for high school students that runs the course of a school semester. Participants receive 10 hours a week of training and earn both high school credits (up to 15) and work experience through a certificated teacher who will support them in employment in the recreation and human services sector. Students leaving the program are certified in many courses such as Standard First Aid + CPR, High Five Principles of Healthy Child Development, Youth Wellness Leadership Certificate training, and the Inclusive Play certificate. Students have developed competencies in cultural thinking, Indigenous Traditional Games, adapted physical activity, and inclusive programming.

Based on Miyomahchihowin (In Good Health), the Recreation Leadership class aims to develop employability skills, offer unique credit-earning opportunities, and prepare youth for volunteer or job opportunities in recreation and human services.

2024 Results

A significant 94% (n=18) expressed feeling empowered to make a positive impact in their school or community.
Similarly, 94% (n=18) reported feeling significantly more prepared for their future careers as a direct result of their participation in Rec Leadership.
Additionally, 78% (n=18) credited Rec Leadership for contributing to their academic achievements, highlighting its role in enhancing their overall school performance.

These findings underscore the program's effectiveness in equipping students with both practical skills and a sense of purpose within their educational and career paths.

Check out the 2024 Annual Report for more information, reach, and impact related to Recreation Leadership

Project Partners

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