December 17, 2009
Burnaby School Shows Olympic Spirit

BURNABY – John Knox Christian Primary School is one of six schools in the province to win an ActNow BC 2010 Winter GamesKids Prize Package.

“The students of John Knox Christian have shown great enthusiasm for the Olympics,” says Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Harry Bloy. “The teachers are also using Olympic-themed lessons to help engage students in their lessons. This recognition will help to make the kids even more enthusiastic.”

John Knox Christian Primary School is taking the opportunity presented by the 2010 Winter Games to have students participate in various Olympic and Paralympic Games activities. Many students are designing card covers in art classes for athletes.

A number of classes are also following the route of the Olympic Torch Relay. Students and teachers will be researching events, athletes, values and issues surrounding the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. In February, students will be participating in the Crazy Olympics, in which students will compete in various Olympic events with a “silly” twist.

“The 2010 Winter Games are a once in a lifetime event,” says Bloy. “It’s great to see the hardworking teachers of John Knox Christian doing so much to make the Olympics come alive for the kids.”

To become a 2010 Spirit School, schools have taken the World Healthy Living Pledge, which encourages healthy eating and physical activity. They have also participated in a number of 2010 Winter Games educational programs and initiatives and have shared their stories on the GamesTown2010 website. Ten schools from communities ranging from Terrace to Nanaimo will be celebrating the Olympic spirit first-hand as a result of a random draw involving all registered 2010 Spirit Schools.

Schools in any of 124 active GamesTown 2010 communities can still sign up to be a 2010 Spirit School. Qualifying schools will be awarded their 2010 Spirit School designations on Jan. 15, 2010. A grand prize draw will treat one lucky school to a 2010 Winter Games-themed event day, featuring ActNow BC Athlete Ambassadors, Vancouver 2010 mascots, interactive games and other 2010 Winter Games-related activities.

To view 2010 Spirit School submissions that include photos, stories and videos, visit www.gamestown2010.ca/2010_spirit_schools. More information about the 2010 Spirit School program and all other education programs can be found at www.sharingthedream.gov.bc.ca.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (?) school year features a number of Winter Games-themed education programs and opportunities, which span the curriculum from language arts to science, physical education to mathematics, social studies to fine arts and healthy living. These include Adopt a Country, the Pan-Canadian Paralympic School Week (Nov. 2-5), 2010 Legacies Now programs, Sharing the Dream lesson starters, 2010 Spirit Schools, the Student Reporter program and Student Welcome Cards.

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