Students Leading the Way Toward Healthy School Certification

Over the past month, Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) students have been hard at work bringing their wellness goals to life as part of the Ever Active Schools’ Healthy School Certification process. Following the momentum from the inaugural Student Wellness Symposium held in Banff on Oct. 16, 2024, students across CRPS are stepping up as leaders in shaping healthier, more supportive school environments.

The symposium laid the groundwork for action, with students analyzing data on wellness topics such as mental health, physical activity, and anxiety. Since then, each school has been turning those initial plans into tangible steps toward improving their school communities.

Banff Community High School (BCHS)

Students at BCHS have launched initiatives to promote mental health awareness and foster a sense of safety within their school. Working closely with their staff wellness champion, they are developing programs to provide easier access to mental health resources and create safe spaces for peer-to-peer support. 

Banff Elementary School (BES)

At BES, the student wellness team meets weekly at lunchtime, fostering collaboration and creativity as students work through roadblocks and refine their ideas. They’ve connected with BCHS to share and expand on concepts, sparking new possibilities for wellness initiatives. Students are set to meet with administration to propose their plans, demonstrating their commitment to problem-solving and bringing positive change to their school community.

Canmore Collegiate High School (CCHS)

At CCHS, the emphasis has been on bolstering school spirit and participation in extracurricular activities. Students recently met with administration to present their plans, receiving enthusiastic support. They’ve already implemented hallway pep rallies, learning from their first event and involving the school band to create a lively atmosphere. The team has also connected with a wellness expert who will attend a December staff meeting to provide further guidance. Excitement is building as they prepare for their next initiative: launching intramurals to promote physical activity and school spirit.

Elizabeth Rummel School (ERS)

ERS students have embraced the Healthy School Certification journey with a focus on character strengths and building a positive school culture. Grade 4 students participated in a Changemaker Workshop, where they explored their unique superpowers like gratitude, perseverance, and hope. Through activities such as scavenger hunts and the co-creation of community agreements, they developed a deeper understanding of respect, openness, and kindness. These workshops directly align with the wellness curriculum, providing students with the tools to support themselves and their peers.

Exshaw School

Exshaw students have prioritized creating a strong sense of community and connection. Their efforts have focused on supporting mental health and wellness, including activities that address social-emotional learning and provide peer-to-peer encouragement. With help from their wellness champions, they are planning new initiatives to strengthen their community agreements and ensure every student feels safe and supported.

Lawrence Grassi Middle School (LGMS)

LGMS students are taking proactive steps to enhance safety, inclusion, and wellness within their school. They have introduced an anonymous reporting box, allowing students to voice concerns discreetly. To promote movement and mindfulness,  plans are in the works to develop classroom body break resources for teachers, which will provide practical strategies to integrate movement and mindfulness into daily routines, empowering teachers to model wellness practices for their classes. Students are also planning a House Olympics event for March, designed to boost school spirit and inclusivity, with plans to feature adaptive sports to ensure participation for everyone. 

Director of Learning Services Mike Shoemakers said since the symposium students have continued refining their action plans with the support of Ever Active Schools and Alberta Health Services’ Healthy Schools Team. Monthly check-ins with wellness champions are helping them track their progress and identify areas for improvement. Collaborative sessions between schools have also sparked new ideas, such as hosting inter-school events to share successes and build community connections.

“Alpenglow School is eager to embark on its wellness journey as part of the Healthy School Certification process,” said Shoemaker. “As a K to Grade 6 school, they were not in attendance at our Student Wellness Symposium but will be meeting with the Ever Active Schools team before the winter break to develop a tailored wellness plan that reflects the unique needs and strengths of their students and staff. We’re excited to see how their initiatives will complement the incredible work happening across the division.”

As CRPS moves closer to earning Healthy School Certification, students are not only meeting certification milestones but also creating meaningful change in their schools. Their initiatives are fostering collaboration, kindness, and a stronger sense of belonging. Each step forward emphasizes the core message of the certification program: wellness is a collective effort, and students have the power to lead it. CRPS is proud of the passion, creativity, and leadership demonstrated by its students and looks forward to sharing more updates as their journey progresses.

Stay tuned to our Healthy Schools Certification webpage for regular highlights on how CRPS students are transforming their schools through wellness initiatives. Be sure to check out the new Student Wellness Symposium in Pictures Gallery!