CRPS Pursues Healthy Schools Certification

Canadian Rockies Public Schools' (CRPS) commitment to student wellness is taking an exciting new direction as the school division embarks on the journey toward pursuing Healthy Schools Certification. The Healthy School Certification was developed by the Canadian Healthy Schools Alliance and uses the internationally recognized Comprehensive School Health framework to action school-based plans. Aligning seamlessly with CRPS' existing focus on wellness as defined by its current Four-Year Education Plan, this initiative aims to enhance the health and wellness of both students and staff.

At the heart of the certification process lies the involvement of students. Under the guidance of each school’s Wellness Champion, student teams from each school will work collaboratively to assess their school community's wellness needs.  Students will work to identify priorities and create action plans that focus primarily on physical health and wellness but also additional topics like mental health, healthy eating, or injury prevention.

Fostering a deep understanding of the importance of wellness that promise to extend beyond the school setting and into their future lives, Mike Shoemaker, CRPS’ director of learning services, said the initiative is not just about health; it’s about nurturing future leaders.

“Although our focus will be on wellness, students will take an active role in leading initiatives, making decisions, and collaborating with peers, staff, and parents,” said Shoemaker. “As students take ownership of their plans, they’ll build confidence and cultivate critical life skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork that will benefit them throughout their lives.”

Pursuit of certification will unfold through a structured process that allows students to earn points for a variety of initiatives, contributing to a collective goal of improving health and wellness within the school community. Through activities like hosting health workshops, students can earn points by organizing presentations on mental health, nutrition, or physical activity. They might invite guest speakers or create engaging, interactive lessons, such as demonstrations on healthy cooking or exercise routines.

In addition to workshops, students can collaborate with teachers to create health lesson plans around important topics like emotional regulation and stress management. This integration of health into the curriculum not only enriches their learning experience but also encourages their peers to prioritize wellness.

Another avenue for earning points includes producing educational videos that promote healthy behaviours. By creating short, engaging clips on topics like hand-washing, balanced diets, or physical fitness, students can effectively communicate important messages to their classmates and share these videos on school platforms, like See Saw, Google Classrooms or public websites.

As they plan and implement these initiatives, the points earned will be calculated through a dashboard that determines certification levels of Gold, Silver, or Bronze. Through the dashboard, they will gain insights into their accomplishments and learn from the challenges they face. Celebrating successes will be crucial, reinforcing the sense of community and encouraging ongoing engagement.

Throughout this process, both EverActive Schools and our Alberta Health Services Health Promotion Facilitator will offer essential guidance and support, assisting students teams as they navigate their journey toward Healthy Schools Certification. A significant milestone is the upcoming Student Wellness Symposium on Oct. 16, 2024, where student leaders from Gr. 7 to 12 will convene to identify their school’s key priorities and develop unique action plans to promote health and wellness. This event has been designed to inspire critical thinking and foster teamwork, allowing students to brainstorm innovative ways to positively impact their school communities. CRPS’ two elementary schools, Alpenglow and Elizabeth Rummel School, also will host school-based symposiums tailored to engage younger students in the wellness initiative.

According to Shoemaker, reflection will play a crucial role. Throughout the year, Wellness Champions will lead efforts to recognize achievements and evaluate the effectiveness of student-led activities. “As a division, we also intend to amplify our students' efforts and voices by shining a spotlight on their hard work and dedication,” he explains. “Through a dedicated section on our division website, we plan to share students’ progress and inspiring stories, highlighting the meaningful contributions of students in promoting wellness within the school community.”

As CRPS embarks on this journey toward Healthy Schools Certification, the commitment to student wellness is not just a goal; it’s a transformative experience that will resonate throughout the school division. By prioritizing student involvement and fostering a culture of health and wellness, CRPS is shaping a brighter future for its students—one that emphasizes the importance of well-being and community engagement, ensuring that the benefits extend well beyond the classroom.