Healthy Schools Initiative As a Healthy Schools Community Partner, the Recreation & Culture Department is committed to working with schools to ensure students are provided equal access to physical activity opportunities. By creating a healthy environment through physical activities students will have: increased confidence and self-esteem improved concentration better academic performance The Vaughan Healthy Schools Newsletter highlights recreational opportunities available to Vaughan students, including specialized programs that City recreation staff can help incorporate into everyday curriculum, and annual events which schools are invited to take part in. How to get started: Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Contact Heather McLean or your local community centre s Active Living Coordinator Set up a meeting with your school s Healthy School Committee, and your community centre s Active Living Coordinator to develop a plan Get Moving!
2011/2012 Vaughan Healthy Schools Newsletter vaughan.ca Get Your School Moving! As a Healthy Schools Community Partner, the Recreation and Culture Department is committed to working with schools to ensure students are provided equal access to physical activity opportunities. By creating a healthy environment through physical activities, students will have: Increased confidence and self-esteem Improved concentration Better academic performance The City of Vaughan provides recreational opportunities to all students, including specialized programs that our recreation staff can help incorporate into your school s everyday curriculum and events. We encourage you to speak to your schools administration about participation in the active programs featured in this newsletter. visit us online at vaughan.ca
Walking to School is Cool! The City of Vaughan, in partnership with York Regional Police, York Region Community and Health Services, York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board are piloting the walk to school project at various Vaughan Schools. It is a comprehensive community-based initiative that taps into the increasingly urgent demand for safe, walkable neighbourhoods. Walking to school promotes the use of active and efficient transportation for the daily trip to school, addressing health and traffic safety issues while taking action on air pollution and climate change. Benefits of Walking to School Walking is great exercise. If done regularly, even for 10 to 15 minutes, it can improve health, circulation and mental concentration. It s better for the environment since walking doesn t release pollutants into the air. Pedestrians breathe cleaner air than drivers who end up inhaling emissions in their car for hours. A daily walk is a good time to talk and get to know each other better. Students can also meet other kids and parents walking to school. By walking, children will learn about safety in the street and how to navigate traffic. Students will get to know the surroundings and the neighborhood better. Save money on gas, as well as avoiding headaches with traffic and parking. Have your school take the Walk to School Challenge! Want to get involved? Contact Heather McLean, Active Living Coordinator 905.832.2281 ext 7438 or heather.mclean@vaughan.ca The City of Vaughan has pledged to lose 100,000 pounds by December 2011, in a collective effort to Live Right Now! Take the Challenge! Visit vaughan.ca for Active Together tool kits and ways to get fit today. Make your pledge today! Sign up today at LiveRightNow.ca Add your pledge to the City of Vaughan - Active Together, under groups. Your pledge will go towards the Million Pound Challenge, and be part of helping Canada shed an incredible total of one million pounds.
Active Together was developed to increase awareness of rising inactivity and obesity levels across Vaughan, and encourage involvement in physical activity among residents by removing barriers to participation. Our Active Together webpage features fun, age appropriate toolkits that provide inspirational tips on incorporating regular physical activity into daily life, and up to date listings of recreational programs and events across Vaughan. vaughan.ca Active Together Special Events for 2011 & 2012 International Walk to School Month October 2011 Gives children, parents, school teachers and community leaders an opportunity to be part of a global event as they celebrate the many benefits of walking. Children and youth in Vaughan will walk to school to promote a healthy, environmentally friendly and safe community. Diabetes Awareness Month November 2011 Diabetes is an epidemic that affects approximately 2 million Canadians and more than 180 million people worldwide. Community centres across Vaughan will feature workshops and activities that promote physical activity and nutrition in order to prevent type 2 diabetes. International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 3, 2011 Vaughan Accessibility Advisory Committee invites you to join us as we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities! Join us for a variety of FREE activities, seminars, and demonstrations. Family Day February 20, 2012 Families can get active together participating in community centre drop-in leisure activities on this statutory holiday. Special fitness, sports, creative and visual arts programs are free of charge. Skating, swimming and aquafitness are available for a nominal fee. World Physical Activity Day April 6, 2012 In celebration of World Physical Activity Day, special programs will be offered at Vaughan Fitness Centres. Pause to Play April 15-21, 2012 Families can enjoy a week of fun physical activities, which encourage individuals to put their sedentary activities on pause and play. Passports to track your activities will be available at schools, community centres and libraries. Passports may be redeemed for entry into a prize draw. Youth Week May 1-8, 2012 Youth ages 10-17 can participate in a week of upbeat activities during this annual initiative, which celebrates and advocates youth empowerment, achievement and involvement. National Access Awareness Week June 3-9, 2012 The Vaughan Accessibility Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the City of Vaughan Recreation and Culture Department, hosts free leisure activities at recreation facilities across Vaughan. The various activities showcase the City s partnerships and special needs programs that help people with disabilities become an integrated part of the community. Recreation and Parks Month June 2012 Celebrate the value and benefit of recreation and parks with free dropin leisure activities throughout June. Community centres offer a diverse line up of indoor and outdoor sports and fitness programs for all ages as well as a variety of parent and child options and inclusive programs for persons with disabilities.
Have an Idea for Your Healthy School? The City of Vaughan has great ideas to get your school ACTIVE! Recreational opportunities are available to Vaughan students, including programs that Recreation staff can incorporate into everyday curriculum, and special events. Activities to get you started: After School Drop-In: Located on school grounds and feature a new physical activity each week. Year round indoor and outdoor sports schedule! Play Day: An all day circuit of physical activity, cooperative games and fun competition to shake up the daily academic routine. Staff will assist in organizing students into groups and create a rotating schedule of activities. Recess Runners: Staff will assist Km Leaders with mapping an all season running route on the school grounds, and establishing running groups of varying distances/ levels of intensity. Lunch Leagues: A 6-8 week lunch-hour house league program featuring one sport, or a rotating schedule of several sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, ball hockey, badminton. Staff will provide support equipment and materials. Aquatics for Youth: Supervised length swim that provides students with a lowimpact, total body work-out that will build a strong swimming foundation while increasing endurance, speed, and distance. How to get started: Step 1: Contact Heather McLean or the Active Living Coordinator at your local community centre. Step 2: Set up a meeting with your Healthy School Committee and the Active Living Coordinator. Step 3: Get Moving! Our Lady of Fatima: Fun, Food & Faith Day 2011 On June 24, 2011 Al Palladini Community Centre staff provided the fitness and fun component at Our Lady of Fatima s Fun, Food & Faith day. The event included cooperative games, obstacle courses, relay races, zumba and kick boxing for 700 students and teachers! visit us online at vaughan.ca