Harrison Public School dives into exercising
March 11, 2010
By Jason Misner
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, HDSB STAFF
Harrison Public School principal Anna Drummond felt she had to find a way to get her students physically moving.
In the age of popular video-game play, rising exercise expenses and increased childhood obesity rates, she wanted to give her young pupils an opportunity to be more fit and learn a healthy lifestyle at an affordable price while having fun at the same time.
Also, the five-year Harrison principal was hoping the program would fit the target of the required amount of minutes of weekly physical activity mandated under the province’s education curriculum.
Goal accomplished.
And for good measure, she has been recognized with a provincial innovation award for the program’s inception.
“(This program) is a real community builder,” Drummond proudly said.
With the support and trust of her “fantastic” staff, Drummond took the lead and started in September an Electives Program centred around five sporting activities – swimming, skating, martial arts, dance and basketball. The 200 Kindergarten-Grade 5 students choose to participate in three of the activities, occurring every Wednesday afternoon between 1:35-3:15 p.m.
The total cost for each student for the 27 weeks of activity participation is $120 but they have had to only pay $60; the other half has been covered by grants Drummond was able to secure.
Swimming operates out of the Town’s Gellert Community Centre; skating out of Mold-Masters Sportsplex; martial arts at a private facility; dance at the school library; and basketball at the school gymnasium.
Skate Canada, Red Cross and Ontario Basketball are some groups who have helped out with the programs.
Swimming and skating, for example, were chosen as activities given their universal appeal, among other factors.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for many, many years,” Drummond said of starting the Electives Program. “The bottom line is we have a lot of heavier children who are not active so we want to get them active…
“I feel kids are happier, healthier and will do better in school if they are fit; it’s a big push all over the world.”
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, a quarter – 25 per cent – of Canadians are considered obese. In the 12 to 17-year-old group, obesity rates are 9.4 per cent.
“Childhood obesity is of concern because it not only increases the risk of obesity in adulthood but can contribute to the early development of serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure,” the agency states on its website
Drummond has been thrilled with the response to the program. She said attendance on Electives day is “almost perfect”.
She noted she would be assessing whether her students’ academic performance has improved through the program.
Talking to the students, you quickly find out they sure love the exercise program..
Eight-year-old Nathan, in Grade 3, has already finished taking skating and swimming and is now taking martial arts.
“You get exercise and it can keep you active so you don’t get sick or anything,” he said.
Lexie, in Grade 4, like her schoolmate, is also enrolled in martial arts and has learned a number of skills.
“I’ve learned a lot of things in martial arts, “ the 10 year old said with a smile. “They tell you how to focus. I feel like I get a lot of exercise; it’s pretty fun.”
Learning a new skill is a great benefit to taking these kinds of exercise classes, said Grade 5’s Ryan.
The 10 year old, who has taken swimming and now skating, said “it’s a good way to keep fit” and, just as importantly, prevent illness.
“If you’re not healthy, you can get sick and you won’t be well.”
Abigail, in Grade 2, loves the fact she can play with her friends while enrolled in the classes. She has taken swimming and is enrolled in skating – for the second time because she loves it so much.
“It’s fun,” the eight year old replied.
What makes the program even more exciting and relevant for Harrison PS is that it fits the Ontario Ministry of Education’s physical activity goals.
The province’s health and physical education curriculum helps students develop an understanding of what they need in order to make a commitment to lifelong healthy, active living and to live satisfying, productive lives.
It also states a supportive “social environment” or “school climate” has a positive impact on students’ learning. Students are more able and more motivated to do well and achieve their full potential in schools that have a positive school climate and in which they feel safe and supported.
“Healthy, active living benefits both individuals and society in many ways – for example, by increasing productivity and readiness for learning, improving morale, decreasing absenteeism, reducing health-care costs, decreasing anti-social behaviour such as bullying and violence, promoting safe and healthy relationships, and heightening personal satisfaction,” according to the revised Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1–8: Health and Physical Education. “Research has shown a connection between increased levels of physical activity and better academic achievement, better concentration, better classroom behaviour, and more focused learning.”
Other benefits include improvements in psychological well-being, physical capacity, self-concept, and the ability to cope with stress. Students, the province states, will learn the skills needed to be successful in life as active, socially responsible citizens.
Drummond said her goal is to offer the electives program next school year, perhaps including curling as an activity option. In fact, a number of schools have already contacted her, wanting to know how successful it’s been and how to get it started in their buildings.
Drummond said she would try to coordinate all the schools interested in starting the same program to help maximize the total cost for things like programming and bussing expenses.
Meanwhile, Drummond was informed earlier in March she is a recipient of the 2010 Parks and Recreation Ontario Innovation Award for the Harrison program.