Children, Seniors and Social Development
Education and Early Childhood Development
February 13, 2017
Encouraging Participation through Physical Activity
Dart Outdoors Day Encourages Schools to Participate in Winter Activity
Throughout this week, schools in the province are participating in Dart Outdoors events. Organized by School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador, Dart Outdoors Day is an outdoor activity day that allows students to enjoy the benefits of physical activity in winter.
“Physical activity is such an important part of our daily lives. Finding ways to increase activity levels is critical to building better physical health and creating a brighter future for children and youth throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Partnering with School Sports NL helps create supportive school environments to encourage increased activity levels. While challenges sometimes exist, even small, incremental changes in physical activity levels can make a difference.”
- The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
The event takes place during Education Week and is extended to all Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools throughout the province. Schools that registered receive surprise kits, to be used for prize draws, and those who post an event photo to School Sports NL social media pages are entered to with $1,000 worth of new equipment for their school.
“Physical outdoor play provides children with opportunities to exercise, expend energy, develop gross and fine motor skills, learn new things and socialize. Physical activity greatly benefits children’s health and is an important part of child development. The benefits of staying active are physical, emotional, social and cognitive; and keeping children active through play encourages them to implement healthy habits throughout their lives. We are pleased to see high levels of involvement in Dart Outdoors Day and encourage all schools and students to participate in winter activities.”
- The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
As part of The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government set a target to increase physical activity rates by seven per cent by the year 2025.
“Dart Outdoors Day encourages children to take part in outdoor winter activity. This year we have 93 schools and 14,500 students throughout the province participating. At School Sports NL we are dedicated to ensuring students develop healthy living habits and experience the life-long benefits of participation in physical activity and sport, even during the winter months.”
- Karen Richard, Executive Director, School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador
This initiative advances one of more than 50 outlined in The Way Forward, available online at www.gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf
. The vision guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province’s economic foundation, enhance services and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.
QUICK FACTS
- Schools throughout the province are participating in Dart Outdoors events, which encourage students to participate in outdoor winter activities.
- The events take place during Education Week and are organized by School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Encouraging participation in physical activity builds better physical and mental health and creates a brighter future for children and youth.
- To learn more about School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador, visit www.schoolsportsnl.ca
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Media contacts:
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Krista Dalton Media Relations Manger Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development 709-729-3768, 685-6492 kristadalton@gov.nl.ca |
Christopher Pickard Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 687-9903 christopherpickard@gov.nl.ca |
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Trisha Boyer Program Director School Sports NL 709 729-3684 tboyer@sportnl.ca |
2017 02 13 11:40 a.m.