Research pays off for area school - Brockville Recorder
April, 19 2009
Elementary students here used diabetes prevention knowledge to bring a big show to their school.
Meadowview Public School students entered a national educational challenge where they had to showcase what they learned about preventing diabetes through an in-classroom program. As winners, the school took in an "Everyone Jump Celebration" concert this week, part of a 35-school, five province tour.
"It was a great success. It was quite a good group," said Meadowview Grade 5 teacher Gina Purcell.
"It was a show where the kids could get up and do a dance. They really enjoyed it, particularly the younger kids," added Purcell. It was a good finish to a program that taught students more about diabetes and how lifelong physical fitness and attention to diet can help prevent the disease.
"We learned a lot about prevention and who are at risk," said Purcell.
Students had to complete a research project and then groups created posters. A poster by Emily Coote, Cassidy Gavin, Brooke Cassidy and Vanessa Major earned Meadowview the prize of the concert. The four girls received plaques for their poster design.
Everyone Jump is a partnership between Ophea (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) and Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. to teach Grade 5 students about preventing type 2 diabetes through regular physical activity and healthy eating.
The Celebration Concerts are now taking place at winning schools in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Alberta and British Columbia, and wrap up on April 28.
The Everyone Jump Celebration Concerts are produced by Children's Hour Productions. They are designed to be educational, interactive, and high energy shows performed to the songs from the Everyone Jump CD.
The Everyone Jump program was launched in 2005 to build awareness of the importance of regular physical activity and healthy eating as a way to prevent type 2 diabetes. The resource is available to all public and Catholic elementary schools in Ontario.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most pressing health crises facing young Canadians today.
To view the winning submissions and for a full list of winning schools, visit www.opheaprograms.net/EJ.
Ophea is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping schools and communities through program supports, partnerships and advocacy. Novo Nordisk is a health-care company and a world leader in diabetes care and biopharmaceuticals.