MHS Receives Grant From TBDHU
MHS Students with Principal John Mutch (back) accept the $1000 check from PHN Shirley Saasto-Stopyra (right). (Photo courtesy of MHS)
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Thursday, January 13th Manitouwadge High School Principal John Mutch accepted a $1000 cheque from Northwest Tobacco Control Area Network (TCAN presented by Public Health Nurse Shirley Saasto-Stopyra on behalf of the Thunder Bay and Northwest District Health Units. Mutch and Saasto-Stopyra collaborated to submit an application (made available in October 2010) for the grant; this is the 6th consecutive year that MHS has received the annual grant.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is pleased to be able to offer high schools across the district opportunities to apply for grants assisting them in the design and implementation of activities which promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness about dangers of substance abuse, dieting and legal substances which can still be dangerous (like energy drinks).
Mutch explained to OntarioNewsNorth.com that healthy living awareness projects had been in progress for sometime at MHS, in anticipation of the grant approval; he gave us a tour of the school’s lobby, where students study, socialize and eat , this is also where awareness displays, created by students, provided information for the student body as a whole. Mutch explained the importance of this program at MHS “We want to raise awareness and provide our students with as much information as possible that they may make informed decisions in regards to what they consume and the lifestyle choices they make” said Mutch, he seemed very proud of the hard work that students had put into making the displays and with good reason, they were clear, informative and attractive, made by students they were laid out in a way that would, no doubt, draw in their peers to take a closer look and perhaps a second read.
Mutch explained that the grant would help ensure the awareness programs already under way could continue “We will be emphasizing these messages on sports days with healthy choices available for those eating at school” adding that “Our sports days also provide the opportunity to re-inforce tobacco-free sports that we have been promoting.” Applications for the grants were shared with high schools in October, and each school could design activities and projects that would encourage their students to address several key health issues facing youth – tobacco use, nutrition, physical activity, substance misuse and mental well being. The grants – $1,000 per school – are being provided through the Northwest Tobacco Control Area Network (TCAN).
This money will be used to “Raise the Awareness Among our students of the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles”, encourage physical activity, healthy eating, proper nutrition for expectant mothers & their children & continue the “tobacco free,” sports message in the year book.
A number of events will be planned with the above messages. Some of the proposed strategies will include the following: Sports uniforms and the Year book will continue to carry the “ Tobacco Free Logo” and message. Sports days will continue to be “Tobacco Free”. Healthy Nutritious food/snacks will be provided for the students on Sports Days. Students will develop and deliver power point presentations, posters and bulletin board messages that promote Healthy Lifestyle Choices. All students will be encouraged to participate fully in each of the activities. The completion date for this above project is April 30th, with the final report due in by May 31, 2011.
Congradulations once again, Manitouwadge High for another successful year in receiving this funding. We look forward to the long lasting effect these”Healthy Lifestyle” messages will have on our youth.
The pressure to diet is very real in high school to the teens constantly bombarded with media images of 'perfect' models, tv/movie stars and other public figures, at MHS students are provided with information to help them understand the dangers associated with dieting.
Energy drinks have become increasingly popular with teenagers - for whom these toxic mixes can be very dangerous, this billboard illustrates very clearly the positives of sports drinks (used in moderation to re-hydrate during sports) vs. the dangers of energy drinks.
Parents can sometimes be naive to the very real dangers of drug use in a small town like Manitouwadge, thankfully Principal, Staff & Students of MHS are raising awareness.
Interesting facts about Energy Drinks help students make informed choices.
Still more information about the dangers of Energy Drinks to dispell popular myths about their intended uses and dangers.
Facts about sports drinks and how they work to re-hydrate during physical activity.
