type

  • Feature Article
  • Podcast
  • Research

theme

  • Instant Activity
  • Food Literacy
  • Outdoor Learning
  • Physically Active Learning
  • Social Emotional Learning
  • Cross-Curricular Learning
  • Models-Based Approach
  • PHE Community
  • Healthy School Communities
  • Fundamental Movement Skills
  • Dance Education
  • Digital Literacy
  • Health Education
  • Financial Literacy
  • Physical Education
  • Sex Education
  • Educational Leadership
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Teacher Education
  • Mental Health
  • Substance Use
  • Truth & Reconciliation

Search Results

SORT BY:

Connecting Communities Through Movement: There’s Strength in Numbers

February 21, 2025
children playing soccer outdoors

The year 2020 is one that no one will forget. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to an unimaginable halt. As a physical education teacher, I was suddenly tasked with encouraging students to stay active at a time when everyone was being urged to stay home. In a world that had come to a standstill, I came up with one simple idea that changed the way we thought about physical activity; that idea has now become a lasting tradition. 

During the early days of the pandemic, I pitched my idea to the administration at Larkhall Academy: an initiative designed to keep our school community engaged in movement. This initiative would be simple enough for anyone—students, staff, or community members—to participate in, and it would take very little time to complete. I named it Time to Move. 

To make it easy for people to track their progress, we created a Google Form where participants could log their exercise minutes. I added this up daily and provided the total on the website so everyone could track the progress. 

computer screen displaying Time to Move website

That first year after the onset of COVID-19, Time to Move at Larkhall Academy officially surpassed 1 MILLION minutes—an incredible achievement and a testament to the power of community. In fact, the success of this initiative was so remarkable that we decided to continue it every year thereafter, using it as a tool to keep people physically active. Since the launch of Time to Move, our school community has collectively logged a total of 4.6 MILLION minutes of exercise. Last year alone, we recorded 1,100 individual entries. To put that into perspective, our school community has exercised for the equivalent of 8.75 years in just 4 years. 

The momentum continues to grow. So far this school year, we have already clocked nearly 500,000 minutes, with the total number increasing each day. 

Even though the global pandemic has ended, the impact of Time to Move remains strong. At Larkhall Academy, we have managed to engage our community in prioritizing physical activity, both at school and at home. Individuals, families, and neighbors continue to track their minutes, watching the collective total grow. But the question arises: why continue this initiative now that the pandemic is behind us? 

The answer is simple: physical activity is more important than ever. Schools are recognizing its value not just as part of a structured sport program, but as an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. What started as a response to a global crisis has evolved into a long-lasting tradition, showing that movement is a key part of daily life, no matter the circumstances. And, as the numbers show, this initiative has had a tangible impact on the well-being of our school community. 

There’s strength in numbers. 

Key Takeaways from Community Engagement Initiatives 

  1. Constant Connection: Finding ways to keep connected with students, staff, guardians, and the wider community. 
  2. Building Trust: Fostering trust and strengthening community bonds is paramount. 
  3. Capacity Building: Ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to participate and be included. 
  4. Identifying Needs and Solutions: Understanding where gaps exist and finding creative ways to meet those needs. 
  5. Thinking Outside the Box: Realizing the best solutions come from unconventional ideas. 
  6. Collaboration: Engaging with others helps to gain different perspectives and enriches the initiative. 

Time to Move has proven that a small idea, when backed by community spirit, can make a lasting impact. And it is clear that the commitment to movement is not something that will end anytime soon. As the collective minutes continue to climb, so does our dedication to making physical activity a priority for everyone. 

Recent Posts

wooden blocks with faces drawn on them
Creating a Mindful Community: How Parents, Teachers, and Students Can Work Together to Promote Mental Health
[ Feature Article ] Mental health is a critical aspect of a student’s overall well-being, and emphasizing the importance of mental health aligns with the “Living Well” facet of the Canadian Physical and Health Education Competencies (Davis et al., 2023). Creating a supportive, mindful environment that engages teachers, parents, and students can make a world of difference.
Authored by: Brenna Wyman
child catching a balloon
Balloons: Adding Accomplishment, Joy, and Challenge for Physical Education Students
[ Feature Article ] Balloons are an often-overlooked gem in the world of Physical Education (PE). Not only are they inexpensive, but they stay afloat for much longer than most balls, giving students ample time to strike, catch, and improve their coordination. Balloons are also versatile and offer a fun way to develop physical literacy while playing games that are engaging for students of all ages.
Authored by: Dr. John Byl
A woman engages with a group of individuals in a library setting, fostering discussion and collaboration among them.
Emerging Scholars – Where are they now?
[ Feature Article ] Since 2015, PHE Canada’s Research Council has honored graduate students with the Emerging Scholar Award for excellence in teaching, research, and leadership. As the 2025 Research Forum approaches, past recipients shared how the award shaped their careers, their proudest recent work, the value of staying connected to the Council, and advice for future scholars.
Authored by: Martha Gumprich
children playing soccer outdoors
Connecting Communities Through Movement: There’s Strength in Numbers
[ Feature Article ] During the early days of the pandemic, I pitched my idea to the administration at Larkhall Academy: an initiative designed to keep our school community engaged in movement. This initiative would be simple enough for anyone—students, staff, or community members—to participate in, and it would take very little time to complete. I named it Time to Move.
Authored by: Jody Worthman
1 teacher and 8 students behind her
The True Sport Experience: A values-based tool for educators
[ Feature Article ] Can you tell us a little about The True Sport Experience and what inspired the development of this resource? The True Sport Experience is a three-volume resource designed for educators working with...
Authored by: Sarah Bennett
Several people in canoes are positioned on the shore, engaging in recreational activities by the water's edge.
Sharing Teaching Experiences (Part Three): Logistics of Studying PHE Abroad
[ Feature Article ] This is the third and final article in a series about two teacher education programs, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) in Norway and Mount Royal University (MRU) in Calgary, collaboration in the field of Physical and Outdoor Education in teacher education. Written by three teacher educators, these articles are useful to those in the PHE field(s) in schools and in higher education. They demonstrate how there is much to learn from looking beyond our own borders through international partnerships engagement which can support everyone’s professional development, practice and pedagogy, philosophies of learning and teaching, and friendships.
Authored by: Dr. Shannon Kell