DYER BROOK, Maine — Students from RSU 50 are participating in the WinterKids Winter Games, where students compete in a series of outdoor physical activity and nutrition challenges designed to help them be active in the winter and learn healthy habits. Opening ceremonies were held Jan. 14 and the four-week contest began the week of Jan. 17. Each school is encouraged to involve volunteers, parents, healthy eating and active living organizations in their community, and hold a winter carnival to close out the month’s events. This year’s WinterKids Winter Games theme is the Winter Olympic Games.
Schools applied for entry into the Winter Games, in hopes of earning the top prize — $10,000. All elementary schools in Maine’s 16 counties were eligible to participate. This year, 22 schools reaching 3,805 children and more than 900 teachers and staff will compete. RSU 50 is one of the Aroostook County schools for 2022.
Schools competing receive a toolkit full of resources and incentives to help students earn points, including the brand new WinterKids Learn Outside Guide, an easy-to-use resource to help kids move, learn and explore outdoors while meeting education standards.
The “lunch ladies” at Southern Aroostook Community School get in the WinterKids spirit on a bobsled. The school is competing in the 5th annual WinterKids Winter Games to try to win a monetary prize.
(Courtesy of Southern Aroostook Community School)
The opportunity is spearheaded by elementary gym teacher Ryan Pelletier with the support of the elementary principal, April Bates. Staff said WinterKids is an exciting opportunity to showcase healthy behaviors with students, and to work toward earning prizes for the school. A series of activities is planned this month, including tracking steps, good nutrition and winter carnival.
Participating schools accrue points for cash prize awards: $10,000, Gold Medal School; $7,500 – Silver Medal School; and $5,000, Bronze Medal School. The remaining 19 schools will also receive cash awards based on their place at the end of the competition. A total of $50,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded by WinterKids this year.
For more information about RSU 50’s involvement in the WinterKids Winter Games, contact Pelletier or Bates at 757-8206 or email ryanpelletier@rsu50.org or abates@rsu50.org. For a complete list of participating schools or questions regarding the WinterKids Winter Games, please visit www.winterkids.org.
WinterKids is a nonprofit organization that helps children develop healthy lifelong habits through education and fun, outdoor winter activity.
