B.C proclaims Paralympic school week

Nov 3, 2008

Richmond – Education Minister Shirley Bond and VANOC executive vice president of celebrations and partnerships, David Guscott, and Canadian Paralympic Committee Board President, Carla Qualtrough, joined gold-medallist Paralympic athlete Todd Nicholson, Vancouver 2010 Paralympic mascot, Sumi and students and staff at James McKinney Elementary to officially launch the first Pan-Canadian Paralympic School Week today.

Paralympic School Week, Nov. 3-9, is a new and innovative program that will bring the spirit and the values of the Paralympic Movement to classrooms across Canada. The Vancouver 2010 Education Program aims to unite all 365 school districts across the country in this unique opportunity for K-12 students to learn about the Paralympic Movement which explores the significance of human interdependence, equity and fairness. The week also provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate wide-ranging examples of the achievements and successes of people with disabilities engaged in sport, culture or sustainability.

"This week provides opportunities for teachers and students to learn, share, contribute and participate in educational activities that raise awareness about the Olympic and Paralympic Movements and the upcoming 2010 Winter Games," said Minister Bond. "We are encouraging teachers across Canada to work with their students to create Paralympic-style events in their classrooms or gymnasiums and discuss the values imbedded in the Paralympic Games, so every student can understand and learn more about interdependence, equity and fairness."

The Paralympic School Week Program is flexible and designed to fit the curriculum in any school. An online educator guide offers ideas for school-wide activities, including:

• Inviting a Paralympian or person with a disability to visit the school and speak to the students;

• Adopting a school-wide theme for the week;

• Running a Mini-Paralympic Games;

• Engaging students in creative projects as individuals or in groups;

• Having daily announcements that complement the Paralympic focus.

“This program is an opportunity for schools across Canada to engage and inspire students and teachers alike through activities that celebrate extraordinary human achievements,” said David Guscott, VANOC executive vice president, celebrations and partnerships. “Not only will this initiative enrich an already comprehensive Vancouver 2010 Education Program, it will deepen the knowledge and understanding of the sport heroes from around the world who will be showcased at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.”

The Paralympic School Week program is endorsed by the International Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The second Pan-Canadian Paralympic School Week is set for Nov. 2-8, 2009.

“That schools across the country have this interactive program as an additional educational resource is a great boost to the Paralympic movement in Canada,” said Todd Nicholson. “By sharing the unique stories of Paralympic athletes with students across Canada, we have an opportunity to inspire the next generation to realize the best in themselves and open their minds to a new way of thinking.”

Developed by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and VANOC, the Paralympic School Week program is inspired by the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic School Day which is a school visit program comprised of interactive presentations from VANOC and a guest Paralympic athlete as well as Paralympic winter sport demonstrations such as ice sledge hockey, cross-country skiing and wheelchair curling.

The Vancouver 2010 Education Program components are hosted on the Vancouver 2010 website at vancouver2010.com/edu, where teachers can also share their stories and showcase the exciting and innovative projects happening in classrooms across Canada.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

Contact
VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com