Two more schools awarded for their In-Motion activities

St. Joseph School in Fergus and Salem Public School received some equipment on Jan. 16 that will help keep students moving.

Centre Wellington Town­ship’s Andy Goldie and Public Health Nurse Joan Heath pre­sented officials at both schools with a bag full of play gear that included balls, frisbees, pedo­meters, and skipping ropes so students can get extra active outdoors - when the weather gets a little nicer.

The schools received the awards because they have reach­ed Level 3 of the In Mo­tion project for Wellington and Dufferin Counties and Guelph.

Belinda Reinhart, who co­ordi­nated activities at St. Joseph school told a school assembly that two out of three Canadian kids do not get enough exercise in a week to promote good health. She listed a number of activities that the school has undertaken to get In Motion.

Reinhart also noted that a dance program was starting at noon that day.

Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj congratulated the students on their achieve­ment, and said the program is important.

She urged students “to put physical activity into your day every day means you will be healthy.”

Ross-Zuj also noted that if the school reaches Level 6 in the program by the end of the year, the school will receive a plaque, and students will also earn free ice time for skating.

Centre Wellington Recre­ation Director Andy Goldie said the In Motion program for the schools is part of the Active Schools Program the province is promoting. He said the township presents the equip­ment as an incentive for schools who reach set levels of activity.

Goldie noted that the town­ship’s involvement seems to be encouraging.

“Centre Wellington schools are the best,” he said. “We’ve got more schools at Level 3 and Level 6 than any other muni­cipality in Wellington, Duffer­in, or Guelph.”

St. Mary School, in Elora, and James McQueen Public School, in Fergus, have each reached Level 6.