Charles Hulse Public School
For Principal Jennifer Offord, spring is always an action-packed time of the year at her school. As the weather begins to warm after a cold Canadian winter, students become restless and find it more difficult to concentrate, which leads to more disruptions in class.
So, when Charles H Hulse Public School was offered the opportunity to be a part of the first spring session of Girls on the Run, she knew they had to accept.
“We’re always mindful that we need to create conditions for students to excel in ways that we might not have noticed otherwise – whether in the classroom or school yard”, explains Jennifer.
“You don’t know the extent of a child’s abilities until you give them a chance to explore them. Thanks to this unique opportunity, so many of our girls blossomed and came out of their shells. Without the program, we may not have seen this otherwise.”
For Principal Jennifer Offord, spring is always an action-packed time of the year at her school. As the weather begins to warm after a cold Canadian winter, students become restless and find it more difficult to concentrate, which leads to more disruptions in class.
What Jennifer witnessed was some of the students who struggled the most (either in school or at home) benefiting greatly from the program, which was a big surprise.
“Imagine the tenacity and drive it takes for these girls to not let their behaviour get in the way of their success. Girls on the Run Ottawa is allowing these students to shine. Not just for them, but for their families and the other students around them”. Kids define themselves in different ways, and Girls on the Run has given these girls a new identity beyond the negativity and challenging things happening in their lives.
Girls on the Run Ottawa brings together girls of all abilities and inspires them to recognize and embrace their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others. The program empowers girls to build healthy physical and mental habits that last long beyond the program.
As Jennifer describes it best: “This program is part of something bigger. This is the model of how things need to run, specifically targeting the population that needs it the most. It can be replicated, but adults need to commit to the girls. Most people won’t do it”.