Students Choose to Be Active

Students at J.L. Ilsley High School are playing a key role in their school community's plan to get young people and their families more physically active.

Two of the school's students joined staff and recreation, health and community volunteers to develop the plan as part of the provincial Active School Communities pilot project. They'll also help implement the plan, called Just Live It -- be active!

The goal of the pilot project is for families, schools and community organizations to work together to increase opportunities for young people to be physically active.

"Through this school and community partnership, we're taking steps to make regular physical activity a societal norm in Nova Scotia just like recycling and wearing seat belts," said Halifax- Bedford Basin MLA Mary Ann McGrath, speaking on behalf of Education Minister Angus MacIsaac and Rodney MacDonald, Minister of the Office of Health Promotion. "In this case, students selected activities they liked, and removed some of the barriers preventing them from being active on a regular basis. This is what Active Kids, Healthy Kids is about."

J.L. Ilsley's plan features opportunities both in and outside the classroom to help get students moving. They include an outdoor ball hockey league, weekly classes in dance, pilates and tai chi, and new outdoor basketball hoops and bike racks.

"This project is giving us the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of physical activities that will improve not only our physical health, but also our emotional and mental health," said Ashley Evans, a Grade 12 student member of the steering committee.

The plan also focuses on leadership development, facilities, and student and family awareness of the health benefits of physical activity.

Students and staff at J.L. Ilsley will implement the plan with community volunteers and representatives from the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Capital District Health Authority.

"Active School Communities offers an opportunity to improve the health and well-being of our students and their families," said J.L. Ilsley principal Michael Nee. "We're happy to offer these activities and hope people take full advantage."

At the launch, feeder schools and community groups in the Chebucto West Peninsula were encouraged to take part in the initiative and ask the steering committee for supporting resource materials.

J.L. Ilsley is one of 11 pilot sites launching its Active School Communities project this spring. The Office of Health Promotion and the Department of Education are investing a total of $160,000 -- $80,000 each -- in eight public school sites this year. In addition, there are three First Nations pilot projects being funded by the Office of Health Promotion and the federal government.

The Active School Communities project is a component of the Active Kids, Healthy Kids strategy launched by Premier John Hamm in October 2002, and the province's Learning for Life plan announced in September 2002.

For the Active Kids, Healthy Kids strategy progress report, visit www.gov.ns.ca/src/activekidshealthykids .