The students and staff at St. David Catholic Elementary School hosted a full day Healthy Foods Summit at the beginning of April. The day consisted of guest speakers from the community facilitating “hands-on healthy foods” workshops. All classes, JK – grade 8, had the opportunity to visit three healthy foods workshops during the day. The topics ranged from: healthy choices using culturally based foods, healthy choices with after school snacks, how to pack a healthy lunch, Eat Local, and healthy desert choices. The school also partnered with the Sudbury Health Unit and offered workshops in proper handwashing techniques and student led leadership workshops.
The St. David School student leadership team co-planned the sessions with the mentorship of Janet Spergel, Community Health Care Nurse for the Sudbury Health Unit. Students were engaged in all sessions. Staff, students and families from St. David Catholic Elementary School all walked away with a better understanding of the importance of healthy food choices, their availability in the community and how to prepare them as meals and snacks.
St. David School Celebrates Earth Day!
On April 22, 2013 the students in Mrs. Cimino’s grade 1 class participated in hands on educational Earth Day activities. During the activity centres, the students made Earth Day necklaces as a reminder to keep our earth clean and healthy. They read the book “The Lorax” and discussed what can happen if we do not take responsibility for the care of our planet.
St. David Catholic Elementary School students participate in a school wide recycling program, composting program and vermi composting program.
Next Friday, the grade one students and their fellow St. David classmates will be participating in the community clean up along Jean Street, Frood Road and Dupont Street. “The students had a wonderful day learning about the importance of maintaining a healthy environment while having fun and participating in activities that engaged their minds and kept them physically active. As a class, we have really focused on healthy living and environmentally friendly actions. The students continue to be committed to caring for their environment and making choices that improve and support the positive development of their community”, states Maria Cimino, grade 1 teacher at St. David School.
St. David School is now Idle Free
On Earth Day 2013, the students and staff of St. David Catholic School launched an “Idle-Free Campaign” in partnership with the Earth Care Sudbury. An idle free school is one where all non-moving vehicles on school property do not have their engines running. Parents waiting for their children will keep their engines off. Studies by Health Canada and community health departments show a direct, significant link between air pollution and respiratory health. When a vehicle is idling it releases more carbon dioxide than when it is moving.
St. David School, with support from Jennifer Babin-Fenske, Earth Care Sudbury, thought it appropriate to launch the Idle -Free Campaign on April 22 – Earth Day. The school’s student led Green Team discussed the importance of having an idle free area by their school as well as other earth day campaigns active in the school community. According to grade 3 student, Alyssa Gasper, “the pollution from cars affect the plants and animals and our health in negative ways”.
Megan Murphy, school vice principal assisted the students in posting Idle-Free signs and banners throughout the school. “Our students are genuinely concerned and active in caring for our environment not only on Earth Day, but throughout the year. Our students are passionate about educating their peers and family members about the importance of being environmentally conscious.”