In this Issue

        

GRANT CALLS

The RBC Learn to Play Project will provide grants to will be awarded to local organizations that teach new skills or sports to kids, and/or expose them to a multiple sports or multiple skills such as swimming or skating lessons. Apply by May 16, 2014. Read more.

ParticipACTION Teen Challenge is a program created for one reason: to help youth challenge themselves and their friends to get moving. 

 

Grants are distributed to any event/challenge/activity that gets teens between the ages of 13-19 physically active. Click for more info.

EVENTS & SURVEYS

On May 1, 2014 the Alberta Teachers' Association, in partnership with the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research, is pleased to invite Dr. Michael Rich and Dr. Valerie Steeves to Edmonton for a discussion on how technology is impacting children, youth and society. This is a continuation of our series of evening public lectures with world renowned and distinguished speakers that has included Sir Ken Robinson, Sherry Turkle, Yong Zhao, Jean Twenge, and Carl Honore.

Get Up, Stand Up: A public health perspective on sedentary behaviour is being offered by the Alberta Centre for Active Living in Edmonton on May 6 and Calgary on May 7.

Register by April 11 to get early bird pricing. 

Assist UBC researchers Dr. Mariana Brussoni and Susan Herrington in better understanding what makes a memorable play space by completing this minute-long survey. It will ask about your favourite outdoor play space as a child and your opinion about typical playgrounds found today. They will be posting survey results on the Play Worth Remembering Facebook page.

April Newsletter

Healthy After School Snack Idea - Yogurt Parfait

Although we no longer sell the School's Out, Let's Move calendar, we have adapted a three-page handout with all of the recipes and photos! Download it here. Thanks to Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services and Alberta Milk for the great recipes! 

We asked Edmonton-area teacher Tricia Giles-Wang how her school supports Comprehensive School Health (CSH), advice she would give schools new to CSH and how the CSH approach aligns with the Ministerial Order on Student Learning. 

"As you walk through the front door of Michael Strembitsky School the first thing you see is an acrylic display depicting our school themes, which are integral to our school vision and building a culture of well-being through a CSH or holistic approach..."

Save this PDF to have a large

positive mental health resource list at your fingertips. Some of the resources include online tools, assessments, key practices, website links, document links and books, all compiled by our CSH expert Kim Hlewka and Edmonton teacher Tricia Giles-Wang. If you attended Kim and Tricia's Shaping the Future session, it may look familiar.

"Alberta Get Outdoors (GO!) Weekend happens each year on the second weekend of April. No rules, no fuss. It's just about getting outdoors and having fun after a long winter. Why? Because an active outdoor lifestyle is a great thing for our bodies and minds," says Associate Minister of Wellness, Dave Rodney.

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Find an event in your community
• Go on a GO Weekend Geocaching adventure near you
• Geocaching is a sport used to find hidden gems in the outdoors using GPS coordinates with a free application on your phone or a GPS device 
• Join the Alberta Get Outdoors two-day UWALK Challenge by registering with UWALK and get walking! 
• The five lucky registrants will win 20 free pedometers for use in their community! 
• Visit one of Alberta's 480 parks and go for a walk! 
• Grab some friends and play a game: soccer, frisbee, football, street hockey, whatever you like! 
• Explore your backyard and get in the spring spirit by taking out all your lawn furniture. 

To learn more about the UWALK challenge or geocaching adventures for the Get Outdoors Weekend, or for ideas about how your family can enjoy a great outdoor experience, click here.

What are you waiting for? Mark April 11-13, 2014 in your calendar and GO get outdoors! 

ParticipACTION is on a mission to get Canadians up and moving. Unfortunately, most of our days are spent sitting at our desks or sitting in our cars, resulting in abysmally low physical activity levels. Research has revealed that this sedentary behaviour is harmful to our health and lowers our productivity.

 

Thank you for your continued dedication to the health and wellness of our children and youth.

Sincerely,