Connection: Information for Teachers (October 2008)

Wellness

Revision of K–12 Wellness Programs of Study
To achieve improved learning and wellness outcomes, a review of the current wellness-related programs of study (K–9 Health and Life Skills, Career and Life Management, and K–12 Physical Education) has been initiated.  A comprehensive literature review and stakeholder consultations were completed between November 2007 and March 2008 and indicated a need for a moderate to major change to the current wellness-related programs of study.

Key findings from the literature review include the following:

  • Current health and physical education programs are not aligned with the factors identified by the World Health Organization as important to successful health and wellness promotion in schools.
  • Drawing upon innovative strategies for curriculum design and implementation developed in Alberta and around the world will provide schools with the opportunity to affect the health of students in profound and long-lasting ways. 

Key themes that emerged from the stakeholder consultations include the following:

  • Although much of the content from the current programs of study would be appropriate for a new wellness program, some changes could be made to better meet the needs of students.
  • Wellness is multidimensional in nature and includes elements such as physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health.   
  • Significant overlap between the current programs of study and opportunities for integrating outcomes into other subject areas should be addressed. 
  • Implementation of a revised wellness program needs to be supported in a variety of ways to ensure the successful delivery of a quality program.

Results from the K–12 Wellness literature review and stakeholder consultations are available through the Health/Career and Life Management section of the Alberta Education Web site.  A draft K–12 Wellness Framework is currently being developed in French and English and is anticipated to be released by January 2009 for consultation.  Education stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide feedback through a variety of methods, including face-to-face meetings and online interactive feedback forums throughout the 2008–2009 school year. 

Daily Physical Activity (DPA)
The Daily Physical Activity Survey Report recommendations included creating a series of topic-specific booklets in French and English to complement the DPA Handbook.  Alberta Education has provided a grant to Ever Active Schools to develop, print and distribute these booklets.  The first issue is scheduled to be ready for distribution in November 2008.  Copies of the Daily Physical Activity Survey Report can be found online through the DPA Web page.

To assist you in promoting DPA in your school, Alberta Education has developed DPA brochures.  These brochures can be used to communicate the benefits of DPA to parents and community partners.  A sample brochure will be sent to all grades 1 to 9 schools in November, with details for ordering additional copies. 

Nutrition Guidelines
The Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth, released in June 2008, have been developed to assist organizations in providing young people with healthy food choices from the time they enter daycare right through to senior high school.  The Guidelines will be sent to school authority central offices, and two copies will be sent to each school later in the fall of 2008. 

The Guidelines have divided foods into three categories:  Choose Most Often, Choose Sometimes, and Choose Least Often.  Categorizing foods will allow schools to make nutritious foods more accessible and limit the availability of foods that are less nutritious in the school environment.  The Guidelines also include information to help school boards develop nutrition policies.  Nutrition policies that include eliminating the sale of junk food should use the Choose Least Often category to define junk food.

For additional information about the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth, contact Gail Diachuk at 780–644–5274 or Patricia Martz at 780–427–5249.  To be connected toll-free inside Alberta to either of these contacts, dial 310–0000.

Physical Education
Recently Authorized Resources:  Review new resources authorized between May 7, 2008, and October 2, 2008:
Kindergarten–Grade 3
Grade 4–Grade 6
Grade 7–Grade 9
Grade 10–Grade 12

HPEC Journal:  View details regarding the HPEC Journal Runner.

Health and Life Skills
Recently Authorized Resources:  Review new resources authorized between May 7, 2008, and October 2, 2008:
Kindergarten–Grade 3
Grade 7–Grade 9

New Digital Resources on LearnAlberta.ca: New digital resources for health and life skills are available on LearnAlberta.ca. View details regarding these resources.

Teaching Sexual Health Web Site:  View details regarding this resource.

HPEC Journal:  View details regarding the HPEC Journal Runner.

Career and Life Management (CALM)
Alberta Consumer Champion Awards—Youth Consumer Poster Competition:  The Alberta Consumer Champion Awards was introduced by the Alberta government to honour Albertans who go above and beyond to contribute to a fair and balanced Alberta marketplace by promoting consumer protection and education.  This year a new award has been added—the Youth Consumer Poster Competition.  This competition is open to youth aged 15–18 and encourages them to gain a better understanding of how to protect themselves from the risks of identity theft, renting a place of their own, consumer contracts, Internet shopping and buying a car.  Entrants must design an original poster and complete a research questionnaire to become eligible for awards of $1000, $500 or $250.  Submissions must be received by November 28, 2008.  For more information, contact Service Alberta’s Consumer Services Branch at 1–877–427–4088 or visit the Alberta Consumer Champion Awards Web page.  

Learning Clicks 2008–2009:  View details regarding the redesign of the Learning Clicks program for 2008–2009.  This program is designed to help Albertans get ready for education and training beyond senior high school.

Recently Authorized Resources:  Review new resources authorized between May 7, 2008, and October 2, 2008.

Teaching Sexual Health Web Site:  View details regarding this resource.

K–12 Wellness Team
The following individuals are part of Alberta Education's K–12 Wellness Team:

  • Michelle Kilborn, K–12 Wellness Program Manager, Curriculum Branch
  • Lori Olson-Johns, K–12 Wellness Program Consultant, Curriculum Branch
  • Gail Diachuk, School Health and Wellness Manager, Alberta Education and Alberta Health and Wellness
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  • Alan Chouinard, K–12 Wellness Program Manager, French Language Services Branch
  • Lin Irvine, K–12 Wellness Resource Manager, Learning Technologies Branch
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  • Jeff Bath, K–12 Wellness Resource Manager, Learning and Teaching Resources Branch
  • Candace Long, Project Management Coordinator, Distributed Learning Resources Branch

Note:  Links to other sites are provided as sources of information to users on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind.  Alberta Education is not responsible for maintaining these external sites.

Search for authorized physical education, health and life skills, and CALM resources.