How Shawna-Kay Lawrence is redefining school wellness
Shawna-Kay Lawrence and Myles with students at Riverside Education Centre
At Riverside Education Centre, movement is not an occasional extra. It’s a celebrated, essential part of school culture.
“Our school community truly embraces the joy of movement in ways that feel fun, natural and inclusive,” says Shawna-Kay Lawrence, one of two vice principals at the middle school in Milford, N.S.
“We help students see that movement is already part of their lives. It doesn’t have to be complicated or competitive. It can simply be fun, energizing and community building.”
The school encourages this mindset through its “Gotcha “cards. Similar to initiatives that recognize when students demonstrate kindness, these cards are handed out when Riverside students are “caught” being active. Students can record their movement on their cards and enter them in monthly draws for prizes. Teachers also use the cards as a tool to integrate movement into their classrooms.
“We’re recognizing activities that they were already engaging in and helping them realize, hey, this is a movement activity,” says Shawna-Kay, who also sits on the Healthy Tomorrow Foundation Board of Directors. “Then we’re saying, yes, continue to do those things!”
What she finds especially encouraging is how students have started asking themselves how they can make their move.
“That question shows ownership. Movement is becoming part of how the students think about their own well-being. For me, that cultural shift is what it’s all about: creating habits and attitudes that support a healthier tomorrow.”
Throughout each school day, she has observed how even small bursts of physical activity can improve a student’s focus, mood and readiness to learn.
“When students move, they release stress, increase their energy, and return to class more regulated and engaged,” she says.
Riverside also holds at least one school-wide movement opportunity each month. These movement activities are selected and planned by the school’s student leadership group.
“It’s important that students have a voice and a choice,” says Shawna-Kay. In February, for example, Riverside students could join in a sledding break or attend a school dance. Last fall, the gym was filled with laughter and wild cheering as the students took on the teachers in an epic game of dodgeball.
“It was amazing to see how the teachers let their guard down and were ready to participate. That created a chance for students to see their teachers being active and enjoying themselves right alongside them.”
When teachers join these movement opportunities, they become active role models. Studies show their participation can have positive and long-lasting effects on how their students view physical activity. To Shawna-Kay, an administrator committed to creating equitable opportunities for movement, it also matters that these events are held during school hours.
“Those positive experiences contribute to stronger peer relationships and a healthier school climate overall,” she says. “When movement becomes something we look forward to as a school, it strengthens both our wellness and our sense of belonging.”
Shawna-Kay Lawrence on a walk
Is your school looking for a fun way to help students embrace active, healthy living? Our Kids Run Club, now in its 22nd year, is an award-winning and accessible school-based recreational program. Designed to give students a chance to see how good they feel being active and to develop healthy habits for life, Kids Run Club is available to schools across Nova Scotia at no cost.