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September 9, 2009

Safe, Healthy Schools a Priority as New School Year Begins

In celebration of the beginning of the new school year, the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, joined students and staff at Mary Queen of the World to highlight the importance of healthy living, physical activity, living smoke free and maintaining healthy learning environments.

"In schools across the province, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, steps are being taken to create school environments that support healthy living for children, youth, teachers and staff," said Minister King. "For example, under the Healthy Students, Healthy Schools initiative, approximately $6 million has been invested to support healthy food choices and enhanced physical education programming. This includes $3.2 million for fun, new physical education equipment such as commercial rowers and cross country skis. Our schools are places that teach more than the three Rs � they also teach the importance of leading healthy, active lives."

Every year since 2006, schools across the province have celebrated Living Healthy Commotions � one day dedicated to school-based events promoting healthy living. In addition to the annual fall event, special commotions will be held this year in celebration of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. The commotions will embrace the values of the Olympics and will provide schools with the opportunity to showcase their activities to the audience and visitors to the games.

"This event will highlight Newfoundland and Labrador�s Olympic spirit, as well as reinforce this province�s commitment to building a strong, healthier population," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "These Healthy Living Commotions support the goals of the province�s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador which aims to improve involvement in recreation activities across the province."

The Provincial Government invests $3.7 million annually to promote wellness through a number of initiatives under the Provincial Wellness Plan including Healthy Students, Healthy Schools; the new School Food Guidelines; Tobacco Free Recreation and Sports and the Provincial Wellness Grants Program, which has provided nearly $2 million in grants to community groups to support healthy living.

"It is imperative that we encourage our young people to make physical activity and healthy food choices a part of their everyday lives," said the Honourable Paul Oram, Minister of Health and Community Services. "Healthy Students, Healthy Schools is a joint initiative under the Provincial Wellness Plan that helps us in supporting youth to live healthy lifestyles. We are working together to encourage young people to develop positive behaviours and practices today that will serve them well throughout their lives."

Also this fall, given the presence of the H1N1 influenza virus in the province, students are being encouraged to pay special attention to basic infection control and additional measures are being taken to promote proper hygiene and prevention.

"As students head back to school, it is important we all work together to ensure a healthy learning environment," said Minister King. "Students and teachers are reminded to take precautions around general hygiene and public health. Prevention is the best approach against the H1N1 influenza virus."

Members of school communities are encouraged to practice the three Cs:

  • Clean: wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and water or hand sanitizer
  • Cover: cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or arm as opposed to the hands which frequently touch other surfaces and people
  • Contain: if you are sick, you should stay home so the illness is not spread to others
  • Several resource materials are being provided to school administrators including frequently asked questions to allow principals, teachers and staff to become knowledgeable about the topic; information brochures to be distributed to parents and health information posters to be placed throughout schools to remind students about the importance of the three Cs.

    In support of ensuring healthy learning environments, the Provincial Government is also making unprecedented investments in school infrastructure. This summer alone has been extremely busy with tenders being called and awarded for everything from window and roof replacements to electrical upgrades and extensions. Since May 2009, over 55 projects have gone to tender. This is in addition to the 21 school maintenance projects, valued at nearly $6 million, announced this past spring.

    "This year, our government is investing over $120 million in repairs and maintenance, extensions and new school construction," said Minister King. "This is resulting in real progress. For example, there have been over 400 air quality related projects completed since 2004. These investments and improvements are an example of the many advancements happening in all areas of the K-12 school system. As a new school year begins, I wish all students, teachers and staff a healthy and happy school year and one that is filled with every success."

    - 30 -

    Media contacts:

    Jacquelyn Howard
    Director of Communications
    Department of Education
    709-729-0048, 689-2624
    jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
    Heather May
    Director of Communications
    Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
    709-729-0928, 697-5061
    heathermay@gov.nl.ca
    Ronalda Walsh
    Director of Communications
    Department of Health and Community Services
    709-729-1377, 685-1741
    ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca
     

    2009 09 09                                                     10:10 a.m.
     


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