College students and workers at Lystra Main and Toddler Faculty in Somerset, St. Thomas, are poised to learn from a newly planted citrus orchard, established beneath the Ministry of Well being and Wellness’ ‘Jamaica Strikes in Faculties’ initiative.
The exercise, held on Tuesday (October 14), varieties a part of the necessities beneath the programme.
Extra stipulations embrace college students taking part in three five-minute stretch breaks every faculty day, together with one hour of bodily exercise per week, performed exterior of their common Bodily Training lessons.
Faculties are additionally required to look at a weekly Fruit or Vegetable Day and designate in the future every week when solely water is served because the beverage of alternative.
As well as, every taking part faculty is anticipated to determine a membership, tasked with executing a yearly or term-based venture.
At Lystra Main and Toddler Faculty, the designated venture is the event of a citrus orchard.
The establishment is amongst these receiving devoted assist from the St. Thomas Well being Division by way of the programme.
Talking through the venture launch ceremony, Parish Well being Training Officer Carlene Anderson-Douglas, defined that the orchard will present youngsters with contemporary fruit all through the week, whereas any surplus could also be offered to assist the college’s canteen and different initiatives.
She famous that Lystra Main and Toddler is the one main and toddler faculty in St. Thomas chosen to determine an orchard beneath the Jamaica Strikes in Faculties initiative.
Age-appropriate well being screenings have been additionally performed on the establishment, the place college students benefited from the Ministry of Well being and Wellness’ ‘Know Your Numbers’ marketing campaign, in addition to eye and listening to assessments.
Emphasising that “well being can’t be separated and put into completely different compartments”, Mrs. Anderson-Douglas highlighted the significance of addressing each psychological and bodily well-being as integral parts of the Jamaica Strikes in Faculties initiative.
She inspired the scholars to remain energetic or start participating in bodily exercise as an important step in stopping non-communicable illnesses equivalent to diabetes and hypertension.
Mrs. Anderson-Douglas additionally urged them to take satisfaction in caring for the newly planted orchard, fostering a way of possession.
For his half, St. Thomas Well being Companies Parish Supervisor, Dr. Steve Riley, reminded the scholars that Jamaica Strikes promotes wholesome dwelling – encouraging the selection of fruits over sweets, and nutritious meals and greens over much less healthful options.
He urged them to prioritise their well being and well-being, emphasising the significance of caring for his or her psychological well being by talking with a trusted grownup each time they really feel confused or unhappy.
Following the formal ceremony, the tree-planting train was expertly facilitated by the St. Thomas parish workplace of the Rural Agricultural Growth Authority (RADA), with energetic participation from college students, workers, dad and mom, and different stakeholders.
