Students at East Saint Margaret’s Elementary School have embarked on a coast to coast trek.

The 84 students are walking across Canada as part of a Health Promoting School initiative. Using pedometers and notebooks the students log the number of steps they take at lunch time, after school and on the weekends.

 “The walk is a great way to build school spirit, encourage exercise, and a learn more about our country in the process,” said event organizer and parent volunteer Diane Buckle.

 Principal Brendon MacGillivray said the Walk Across Canada project not only gets students moving, it ties in with the school curriculum.

“Every time our students calculate their steps into kilometres, they are putting their math schools into practice,” he said. “And every time they enter a new province they learn something new about geography and the diversity that makes Canada so special.”

Funding for the East Saint Margaret’s Walk Across Canada comes from a Health Promoting School grant. It is but one example of how these grants are being used in Halifax Regional School Board schools to help kids lead active, healthy lives.

The Our Healthy School Partners include:
Addiction Prevention And Treatment Services, Capital Health
Clean Nova Scotia
Community Health, Capital Health
Halifax Regional School Board
Heart And Stroke Foundation Of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Health Promotion And Protection
Public Health Services, Capital Health

Additional support for the Walk Across Canada comes from East Saint Margaret’s School Community Association, the Sou’wester, Oceanstone Inn and Cottages, the Rhubarb Grill and Healthyself.

Schools interested in applying for a Health Promoting School grant next year, are encouraged to begin by forming a Health Promoting School Committee (including representation from administration, teachers, staff, students and parents) to discuss a potential project.

For more information regarding grant writing assistance, please contact Catherine Cole, Our Health School Leader, Halifax Regional School Board at (902) 464-2000 ext.4419.