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Media Releases 2008
ACTION SCHOOLS! BC WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FROM DIETITIANS OF CANADA AND KRAFT CANADA
Vancouver, B.C. (July 22, 2008): Action Schools! BC was named the national award winner of The Speaking of Food and Healthy Living Award in recognition of its influence on the B.C. school community. This annual award is sponsored by the Dietitians of Canada and Kraft Canada to honour communications initiatives providing clear and credible healthy living information to Canadians.
Action Schools! BC is an initiative of 2010 Legacies Now, supported by ActNow BC and the Minstry of Education. It is a best practices model promoting physical activity and healthy eating for students in elementary and middle schools. Action Schools! BC assists schools in creating individual action plans to promote healthy living using practical, easy-to-follow resources and workshops to support teachers. It began with a focus on physical activity, and then developed a healthy eating component aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.
Actions Schools! BC was recognized for its collaborative and integrated approach, innovation in delivering resources into schools and communities, credibility and effectiveness. Results from a 17-month physical activity pilot study of Grade 4 to 7 participants showed students were more active, contributing positively to their overall health, heart health and awareness of dietary requirements. In addition, pilot tests of the healthy eating model showed participants had increased their fruit and vegetable intake. Focus groups showed teachers, parents and students rated the model and its resources with a high level of satisfaction.
"Action Schools! BC is a model of success for the Province," said Shirley Bond, Minister of Education. "It helps teach school children to make healthy living choices that will stay with them for life and it helps us achieve our goal of becoming one of the healthiest jurisdictions to ever host an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."
Brenda LeClair, Executive Director of Community Engagement for 2010 Legacies Now added: "Our connection with teachers and administrators and our understanding of their challenges has made this model for physical activity and healthy eating a success in schools right across the province."
Carla Smith, principal of Westwind Elementary in Richmond, B.C. agreed: "I would never go back to being a non-Action School. This has changed so much in the youngsters. This is a lifelong skill that is absolutely vital in promoting better learning, better physical fitness and better health."
This is the tenth year the Dietitians of Canada and Kraft Canada have issued the Speaking of Food and Healthy Living Award for initiatives that positively impact eating habits and physical activity levels. Action Schools! BC represented B.C. and was one of four regional finalists from across Canada.
"Action Schools! BC promotes the creation of inclusive and diverse physical activity and healthy eating opportunities throughout the school day," said Bryna Kopelow, Action Schools! BC Support Team. "We support schools in making healthy choices the easy choices for students, teachers, administrators and other members of the school community."
For more information, visit www.ActionSchoolsBC.ca.
About 2010 Legacies Now
2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations, the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport and recreation, physical activity, arts, literacy, accessibility and volunteerism. 2010 Legacies Now actively assists communities discover and create inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to, and beyond, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information, please visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
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Media contacts:
Karen McDonald
Director, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
778-327-5180-Direct
778-840-8779-Cell.
kmcdonald(at)2010LegaciesNow.com
Karen Lee
Manager,Communications
2010 Legacies Now
778-331-8647-Direct
778-840-5080-Cell.
klee(at)2010LegaciesNow.com
