Congratulations to Crestview Public School, winners of the 2010 Turn Off The Screens School Challenge!

Thank you to all of our event partners: Gammondale Farms, Superior Bowladrome, Canada Games Complex, MNR, Boys and Girls Club, Volunteer and Churchill Pools, and Maverick Entertainment for helping to make Turn Off The Screens and Get Active 2010 a great success!

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit wants to get the message out to parents that they play an important role in their child’s motivation to live healthy. Kids need help to stay focused and on track. Research shows that parents who set a healthy and active example tend to have healthy and active kids.

The benefits of regular physical activity and a healthy diet include lowering the risk of becoming overweight, maintaining healthy muscles and bones, increasing energy levels and decreasing risks of health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Did you ‘Pause to Play’ today?

Did you know that Canadian children spend more than 35 hours in front of a screen every week, and that more than 90% began watching TV before their 2^nd birthday? The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time per day for school age children, and children under 2 should have none at all.

Here are some helpful ways to curb your family’s screen time and encourage family fun activity instead:

Make up a family screen time schedule with your children.

 Let them have a say and post it where everyone can see.

• Be a good role model.

Set a good example by limiting your own screen time.  You are the most important role model in your child’s life. 

• Create screen-free bedrooms.

Put TVs and computers in a common area in your home so you can keep an eye on your child’s screen time and the content of their favourite shows, video games, and websites.

• Get active as a family.

Go for a family bike ride, plant a garden, or stay inside and have a family games night with an active game like Twister.

Downloadable Resources

• Printable tracking sheet
• Printable calendar of events
• Healthy Schools Recognition Program
• Certificate of Participation

French Resources

Printable Certificate of Participation
Registration Form for Schools
50 facons de quitter ton canape
Avant, pendant, et apres debranchons-nous

Click here to see photos from last year's events!

Turn Off the Screens and Get Active Challenge 2010 - in the District

For information on how to participate in the Challenge in your community, contact your local Public Health Nurse. 

·  Geraldton - (807) 854-0454

·  Manitouwadge - (807) 826-4061

·  Marathon - (807) 229-1820

·  Nipigon - (807) 887-3031

·  Schreiber - (807) 824-2413

Thank you to all our sponsors!