Huron and Perth Counties - Convincing 400 elementary students to take a day off classes to learn how to be playground leaders shouldn’t be too hard. Grade 5, 6 and 7 students from Huron and Perth Counties are being invited to a workshop to learn how to be leaders in creating healthy schools.

The one day student leadership workshop is called Young Active and Healthy! (YAH!). It’s put together by the Huron County Health Unit and Perth District Health Unit. It’s also supported by Huron-Perth in motion – a group of health and recreation partners that support physical activity.

Schools have been invited to send ten students, as well as at least one teacher and one parent to the training. The purpose of the day is to support ways to help students be more physically active and learn how to be leaders in creating a healthy school. Research shows that many young people are not physically active enough for health benefits.

Public Health Promoter Angela Ritchie says it’s important to equip students with the skills and know-how to be active leaders. “We’ll give students practical ideas that they can share back at their schools to make positive changes. In the workshop they’ll be talking about healthy schools in terms of physical activity, injury prevention, playground safety, substance misuse, and nutrition.”

The students will work with the adults on a Healthy School plan, including ways to get their friends and peers involved in healthy activities.

Adults who attend will also have a full day. Thrive Canada, a leading student engagement organization, will be offering information for the adults. They’ll learn about practical ways to get students involved in healthy living activities.

Participants can attend the one-day workshop either Tuesday, January 19th or Wednesday, January 20th, 2010. Both days are being held at the REACH Centre in Clinton.

All elementary schools within Huron County have been invited. The workshop is funded by the Government of Ontario.

For more information call the Huron County Health Unit at 519-482-3416.

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Creating Healthy Communities Together

TO FIND OUT MORE...
Our media contact is: Barbara Leavitt, Communications Co-ordinator, 519-482-3416 ext. 2289

Our spokesperson is: Angela Ritchie, Public Health Promoter