Gertrude M. Parker Elementary School is putting a $2,000 Health Promoting School grant to good use. The welcome grant money, from the Our Healthy School Steering Committee, is being used to increase after-school physical activities. 

Principal Lynne Crews says the school launched a Kilometre Club, a Skipping Club, and a Fun and Fitness club in the fall.  Skipping and Kilometre Clubs take place on alternate weeks. On Friday, February 2^nd Principal Crews started the Skipping Club for grades P-2 from 12:15 until 12:45. 

HRSB Sport Animator and the Our Healthy School Leader Catherine Cole visited Gertrude Parker School in time for the Skipping Club for grades 3 through 6 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the gym. Principal Crews, grade 4 teacher Tracey Young and Primary French teacher Margaret Anne Ferreira go through a number of skill developing exercises during each session – including working in pairs. 
 
 
On Thursdays, the Kilometre Club meets from 3 to 4 p.m. in the gym. Students have been working hard to accumulate steps for their walk across .  Last fall, coordinators Stephanie Hawkins, Miguelle Legere and Jennifer Simonsen got a little help from Pete’s Frootique to include a healthy snack. 
 
Principal Crews says the Health Promoting School Grant funds have allowed the school to purchase a megaphone (especially useful for outdoor activities), pedometers, stop watches, and water bottles. 

The Our Healthy School Steering Committee is pleased to support Gertrude M. Parker Elementary School’s Clubs as one way of bringing students, parents/guardians and community members together to help increase physical activities in a healthy school environment. 

For more information about Health Promoting Schools, please contact Catherine Cole, Our Health School Leader, Halifax Regional School Board, at ccole@hrsb.ns.ca and 464-2000 ext.4419.