Gym, health pilot program rolls out as Manitoba children go back to school

There were tears and cheers on an elementary school playground in Rossmere as students arrived for the first day of classes Wednesday.

Seven-year-old Ethan Minski is among tens of thousands of Manitoba students who have officially started a new school year.

Before entering King Edward School, Minski said he was most looking forward to phys-ed class.

“Everybody loves gym. It’s just fun!” the Grade 2 student said.

Manitoba is piloting a new health and phys-ed curriculum starting this fall.

Mother Christy Smolik said that, so far, she likes what she’s heard about the changes.

Starting in Grade 1, the curriculum requires teachers to “explore the impact of technology on health, well-being and movement activities.”

Smolik, a mother of three, said her youngest, Ethan, loves to play Minecraft although she isn’t too worried about the seven-year-old’s screentime levels just yet.

She wiped tears from her face after dropping her son off for her first day of Grade 2.

Smolik said she hadn’t expected to be so emotional, but the realization her youngest is already in Grade 2 struck her.

The majority of elementary schools are opening their doors today while high schools are staggering their starts.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca