Boost Excitement With Wellness Challenges

A detailed description of the practice

Host wellness challenges and campaigns or share announcements that promote active living and wellness.

This practice:

is easy and quick to implement

is cost-efficient to put in place

is effective in promoting health and wellness among students

is well received by most students

is well received by teachers and school staff

is helping build and maintain a healthy school culture

will be used for years to come

reaches most students and families within a school

is sustainable over time given staff turnover, costs, training, etc.

is easily integrated into the curriculum (Program of Studies)

But this practice:

does not reach the students and families who need it most

requires extensive planning

requires additional staff time

requires support or partnerships from outside the school

Examples of specific activities

Post pictures of pets on social media

Involve students in Hats On! for Mental Health day activites

Create positive messaging with students

Virtual feel-good art days

Create a Mental Health Week or virtual spirit week video campaign

Host healthy eating challenges

Engage students in APPLE Schools’ healthy eating campaigns

Engage students in APPLE Schools’ physical activity campaigns

Share videos and pictures of active students on social media

Enjoy wellness challenges that enhance physical activity

More from the stakeholders from the education and health sectors about this practice

Most kids love a good selfie or photo they are a part of.

Teachers would need training and professional development to craft wellbeing invitations that aren’t competitive in nature as this is a risk for eating disorders and this [practice] is a potentially health-demoting activity [if implemented] without nuanced and thoughtful training and planning.