With the provincial government placing a greater emphasis on increasing physical activity for students in Manitoba, Premier Wab Kinew and Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt are inviting schools across the province to participate in the Premier’s Fitness Challenge, a new goal-setting program that encourages students to develop healthy, lifelong habits and be active every day.
“Every child in Manitoba deserves to grow up happy and healthy, and our schools should be places where kids learn the skills and habits they need to be happy and healthy as they learn and grow,” said Kinew. “This challenge is for every student. It’s all about inspiring kids in Manitoba to set goals, build confidence and develop healthy lifelong habits of movement that will lead to good physical health and mental health.”
According to a release from the province, challenge encourages students, with the support of their teachers, to set personal physical activity goals and track their progress throughout the school year. Goals could include increasing daily steps, trying a new sport or physical activity, spending more time outdoors, improving fitness levels or building healthy, active habits.
The province is encouraging school divisions to find ways to incorporate the challenge into daily classroom schedules. At the end of the school year, students who demonstrate improvement will receive recognition from the Manitoba government. Schools will also have the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 to support physical activity initiatives and help students stay active.
