| 30 April 2007, Belleville, Ontario—This Wednesday, May 2, more than 5,400 children will converge on the Belleville Fairgrounds for the 16th annual Celebration of Dance. Students from Kindergarten to
Grade 8 will move, groove and jive to 12 traditional and upbeat dances.
Celebration of Dance has become a traditional part of spring for HPEDSB students. It is a great way for children to get active. Not only does this event build healthy bodies, it also supports the physical education, and drama and dance curriculum in schools.
“Celebration of Dance continues to be a way of promoting a healthy, active lifestyle through daily physical activity. The premise that health and learning are interconnected, combined with an increasing focus on health, especially physical activity, is very important to enhance the conditions for learning,” remarks the event’s co-ordinator, Nancy Popovich. “It is another way to reinforce the link between physical activity and character development,” she adds.
Each year, schools are invited to submit songs and dances to a planning committee. This approach involves students from the creation of the program through to rehearsals and participation on event day. In some schools, dances are rehearsed as part of the health and physical education curriculum or drama and dance programs. In others, dances are learned through extra-curricular programs offered during lunch or after school.
The song list includes a mix of country, funk and dance music such as: Move It, Upside Down, We Like to Party, YMCA and Funky Matador with dances ranging from the cha-cha to the hokey-pokey. These dances accommodate all ages and ability levels.
“It’s pretty awesome to watch a sea of 5,000-plus children dancing in unison,” says Popovich.
This event has been recognized by OPHEA (Ontario Physical & Health Education Association) as a fun way to promote physical activity during Education Week.
MEDIA representatives, family, friends and community members are invited participate.
Date: Wednesday, May 2nd
Location: Belleville Fairgrounds
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 46 elementary and eight secondary schools serving 18,700 students, employing 1,067 teachers and 775 support staff. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.
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For more information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, ext. 2354
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