The success of the new Living Healthy Commotions indicates that students across the province are embracing a shift to healthier living. This fall, schools celebrated Living Healthy Commotions, a one-day, in-school event that highlighted creative ways to celebrate healthy living and being active. The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, reports that since that day, many schools have made living healthy activities regular events at their schools. In recognition of the tremendous response to this initiative, certificates of appreciation are being sent to all schools that participated.

"Clearly, our students, teachers and staff understand the importance of healthy living and are working to promote it in their schools. Nearly every school in the province participated in the Living Healthy Commotions. This is great news as it means the significant investments made in healthy eating and physical activity are contributing to the overall health of our students," said Minister Burke.

To promote the importance of healthy living, in the past two years government has produced new school food guidelines, introduced new physical education and health curriculum, and provided $2.4 million for the purchase of physical education equipment for intermediate and high schools. Government also invested an unprecedented $3.7 million over two years to support the Provincial Wellness Plan. To support activities of the Living Healthy Commotions, the departments of Education and Health and Community Services provided $50,000 to each participating school.

"The success of Living Healthy Commotions was due in no small part to the enthusiasm of the students," said Minister Burke. "In fact, the idea for the Commotions came from the Healthy Schools Student Summit in September 2005. Students suggested that all schools take one day to focus on the importance of physical activity and eating well. Fortunately, students had the full support of teachers and administrators for this initiative. Their collective dedication, creativity and hard work made it a huge success, and I thank everyone who worked with the students to celebrate the day."

The minister noted that some of the activities planned for the day included a town parade, a healthy community breakfast, a skipping competition, fruit and vegetable scavenger hunt, and a healthy menu contest. To keep the momentum going, students and teachers can share their ideas on living healthy and physical activity events through the Healthy Students Healthy Schools (www.livinghealthyschools.com) and Go Healthy (www.gohealthy.ca) web sites.

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Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

2006 12 29                                                  9:55 a.m.