​“They’re here, they’re here,” students at Gesner Street Elementary exclaimed.

It was March 21 and the school’s Healthy Heart Challenge was in full swing. Oromocto High School students were arriving for a day of fun-filled, wellness activities with the kids in kindergarten to Grade 2.

While physical education teacher Robin Buchannan lined up games for the children to play in the gym, the OHS students visited classrooms to talk about eating healthy foods, avoiding sugary drinks, unplugging from technology, and being kind to others. Throughout the day, the youngsters moved in 10 to 20-minute intervals throughout the school to participate in the various activities with their OHS leaders.

“It’s about providing students with an opportunity to learn from their peers which is very powerful,” said Principal Heather Cripps. “They are learning in a positive way about behaviours that will help them on their life path. Parents have been totally supportive and the kids have been busy counting in their lunch how many fruits and vegetables they have. If you set those practices early in life, they will carry it with them later on.”

The Healthy Heart Challenge, inspired by the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, promotes healthy behaviours for students by teaching them simple tips for making healthy choices at school and with their friends and family at home. Students are given four numbers “5-2-1-0” to use each day – 5 fruits and vegetables; 2 hours or less of screen time; 1 hour of physical activity; zero sugary drinks; sprinkled with plenty of kindness to go around.

Joanna Seeley and Julie Carr, healthy learners in school nurses for ASD-W, said three schools in the Oromocto area participated in the Healthy Heart Challenge during Nutrition Month in March.

Upon completion of the challenge at Gesner Elementary, all students will be rewarded with a fruit tray for each of their classrooms and the school will also qualify for a $750 grant from the Heart and Stroke Foundation to purchase a new water station for the school building.

“The behaviours the kids have been learning are amazing,” Julie Carr said. “The biggest challenge is reducing their screen time.”

Health information shared with the school noted reducing screen time can prevent sleep problems and improve academic performance. It can also result in kids sitting less and moving more.

“5-2-1-0 is all about preventing child obesity with the hope of preventing chronic illness,” added Joanna Seeley. “We’re working to influence healthy choices before they reach adulthood.”

Shown in the photo on the front page and in the first photo below is physical education teacher Robin Buchannan playing the train game with students and staff in the gym at Gesner Street Elementary during the school's Healthy Heart Challenge; (2) Grade 11 student Ben Tallmadge from OHS speaks with students about reducing their screen time by finding other fun things to do; (3) healthy learners nurse Joanna Seeley works with students on fun activities not related to technology.

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