Healthy Schools Leadership Symposium 2010
April 9, 2010 Vancouver BC

“Meeting the Challenge: Ensuring Healthy Students in Healthy Schools Learn Better”

DASH BC hosted its annual Healthy Schools Leadership Symposium on Friday April 9th 2010 at the Pacific Palisades Hotel in Vancouver. The day brought together education and health promotion specialists working within the field of school health to inform and engage participants in dialogue around school health topics relevant to our students and practitioners today.

Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl opened the session with a powerful keynote address entitled: “Addressing the Implications and Strategies for building Social and Emotional Health within our schools”. Following her address were a series of engaging presentations. Lynn Brown, a Master Education Student and Teacher from Naniamo, presented a unique school project she directed which answered an inquiry question about student attitudes towards physical activity. Arthur Orsini, a School Travel Planner, shared his “ view from the sidewalk” – a look at the “walkability” of schools today. To close the morning session, Tanya Grand of the Ministry of Education’s Cross Sector Strategic Initiatives Branch (formally Healthy Schools Branch) shared valuable news from the Ministry.

The afternoon included group discussion focused on building the Healthy Schools Network to address future success for students. A series of round circle sessions followed, enabling participants to present topics of interest to them, and in small groups, share learning and exchange best practices. Throughout the day, participants were kept active with breaks lead by the Action Schools! BC team.

Parting comments from participants included:

“Thoughtful deep conversations with a variety of amazing thinkers!”
“I really enjoyed Kim’s presentation and the variety of presentations.”
“It was great to have dialogue with professionals from both health and education…connecting to improve student health towards improved lifestyles”
“Valuable” “Thoughtful” “Inspiring” “Informative” “Motivating”
“I can’t wait to work on Healthy Schools in our school District in a more integrated and concerted way!”

To view the Symposium Agenda, Symposium Keynote Speaker and Presenter Biographies, please click here.

To view the presentations made during the Symposium, click on the links below.

• “Addressing Implications and Strategies for Building Social and Emotional Learning Within our Schools”
  Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl (PDF format) 
• “Connecting Purposefully with Peers Promoting Physical Activity as a Part of Healthy Living”
  Lynn Brown, Masters Ed Student and Teacher, SD #68 (PowerPoint format)
• “View from the Sidewalk: Assessing the Safety and Comfort of Walking to School“ (PDF format)
  Arthur Orsini, M.A. School Travel Planner
• “Neighbourhood Learning Centres and Other News from the Ministry of Education” (PowerPoint included in MS Office 2007 is required to view this format)
  Tanya Grand, Manager, Cross Sector Strategic Initiatives Branch (formerly Healthy Schools Branch)
• “Action Schools! BC – Promoting Healthy Living” (PowerPoint format)
  Jennifer Fenton, Active Schools! BC

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