Education
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Health and Community Services
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."
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