A lucky Grade 1 classroom at École Barrie Wilson Elementary School helped launch the Canada Games Activity Challenge on Monday.
About 18 students from the French immersion classroom led by teacher Keli Chick took part in a balloon relay against organizers of the 2019 Canada Winter Games to be held in Red Deer.
The class was also randomly selected to win a pizza party for lunch on Monday from more than 100 classrooms and schools in Central Alberta that have so far registered for the Canada Games Activity Challenge.
The free, inclusive and interactive challenge officially begins in schools across the country on Tuesday and runs until mid-June to build active, daily habits among students.
Teachers receive information on daily activities for students to do to accumulate points for prizes.
“The purpose of the program is to promote activity, but also to share the great impact the Canada Games is having across the country,” said Scott Robinson, 2019 Games CEO.
“It’s a classroom-based program where teachers get involved and do things with the kids. But there’s also an online program for the kids to participate at home and keep track of how they’re doing.”
The online component will allow students to customize their own avatar as they earn points.
The challenge recognizes Canada’s 150th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games. Since 1967, the games have been held every two years, alternating between winter and summer games.
Eleven classrooms at Barrie Wilson school are registered in challenge.
Principal Chris Good said the challenge is a helpful way to encourage students to be more active.
“Student wellness is something that we really try to promote. We really want to focus on building a healthy school community whether it’s at school during the day or at night at home with families,” Good said.
“We know a healthy student is probably a more successful student.”
There is no deadline for schools and classes to sign up for the challenge. Teachers and principals can register at https://activitychallenge.canadagames.ca.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com