SASKATOON — It was a conversation with a grumpy senior citizen that helped Doug English with his idea.
The senior complained that he had no kids or grandchildren in school so why should he pay education taxes.
English, a Unity, Sask., school principal and physical education teacher, turned a classroom in his school into a fitness centre for his students, seniors and others in the west-central Saskatchewan community.
In a session at the 17th National Congress on Rural Education in Canada, English said he had a selfish reason for bringing seniors to school.
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“Once there, they help my kindergarten carve pumpkins or help kids read,” he said.
The 130 students at Unity Public School are in their homemade gym every day. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from November to April, the school buzzer sounds eight minutes early so the entire school can spend 15 minutes walking the halls and running through a circuit of weights, jumps and other exercises.
English is passionate about physical exertion.
“I believe I have to change attitudes with kids so it’s a habit and strange not to be running for 15 minutes each day.”
The original fitness room equipment was used, including treadmills.
Regular donations and clean-up events by the students brought in small amounts, but it was a brainwave by the chair of the school community council that led to ideas for raising funds to purchase fitness equipment.
Brad Sperle, a local farmer and North West Terminal board member, knew the terminal had bought land for future expansion that was lying dormant. He proposed a crop be planted, tended and harvested with volunteers and donations to raise money for the school.
NWT agreed along with local chemical and seed dealers and 70 acres of peas were planted in 2007. The harvest raised $22,000 for the school that year.
