Promoting healthy active living has always been a significant focus for Red Deer Public Schools. On November 4, 2009, at the District’s Annual Recognition Dinner, Steve Davison, Parks Amenities Supervisor with the City of Red Deer, and Jennifer Sundberg, Registered Dietician with Alberta Health Services, received the “Friends of Education Award,” in recognition of their significant contributions that result in healthy active learning for all students in Red Deer Public Schools.
Steve Davison
If you ask almost any child what their favourite part of the school day is, chances are many would say recess. And recess wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for the dedication and efforts of Steve. Without a doubt, Steve is Red Deer’s “Mr. Playground.” He has been involved in playground construction projects, completing approximately 60 public school playgrounds since he began over 20 years ago.
From start to finish, Steve oversaw each project, from assisting in acquiring grant funding to the final reporting stage. He has worked with every school in our District, creating relationships along the way with volunteers, students, parents and staff. The final reward for the countless hours of labour that go into each project, is the moment the fences come down and the kids have their turn trying out the amazing new playground structures that Steve has played a major role in.
Jennifer Sundberg
Parents can rest assured knowing that their kids aren’t surviving on sugar and junk food while at school and that’s thanks in part to Jennifer Sundberg, Red Deer Public’s cheerleader for healthy eating.
In 2007, the Red Deer Public School District Board of Trustees adopted the nutrition policy. This was the first of its kind in the province of Alberta, and has resulted in wide acclaim from champions for healthy active living. Throughout the entire process, Jennifer has been central to its success. As a Registered Dietician with Alberta Health Services, Jennifer has been the school district’s primary resource in the health sector for the implementation of the policy.
“Working on this project has been the highlight of my career because it is so meaningful,” Jennifer commented. “This policy is having such a positive effect on children, and to be a part of that is amazing.”
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