YMCA-YWCA of Guelph working with Wellington District Catholic School Board to provide FREE Virtual Physical Education Resources

Guelph, ON – April 15, 2020 – A lot has changed in a month, especially for families. A month ago, families were planning for March Break – travel, camps or staying home with the kids. But, in the effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19 things changed quickly. Namely, schools closing initially for three weeks, and now longer, followed quickly by social distancing measures and the closure of non-essential services.

While the Guelph Y, along with other Canadian YMCAs, faced the unprecedented realities of closing their physical locations, they didn’t stop showing up. In partnership with the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo and the YMCAs of Stratford-Perth, they launched ThisIsY.ca – a virtual library of resources to take care of one’s mind, body and spirit – a week after their closure. In collaboration with YMCAs across the country, they’re now launching YMCA Gym Class – an online platform enabling school boards and educators to deliver virtual physical education programming to students as part of their school’s e-learning platform.

“As a charity with more than 146 years in Guelph, we’ve been committed to finding ways to meet community needs. This has often meant showing up more, and in the unique realities of physical distancing we’re using technology to continue doing just that,” says Geoff Vogt, CEO, YMCA-YWCA of Guelph. “We’re really excited to be working with the Wellington Catholic District School Board to keep students active and healthy during e-learning.”

“Our board has undertaken the responsibility to move 8,000 students to distance learning, and we are grateful and excited to be able to leverage community partnerships like the one we share with the YMCA to supplement our distance learning and support plan,” says Tamara Nugent, Director of Education, Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB). “We know that physical activity is a key component to overall well-being, helping our students to be their best for learning.”  

The YMCA Gym Class includes numerous activities based on YMCA Canada’s Health & Fitness programs and Canada’s Physical Activity Guidelines. Led by YMCA certified fitness coaches, the activities are designed to complement physical education course curriculum. All content is available to area school boards for free.

“During these times, it has become even more important for people to focus on being healthy,” says David de Burger, Physical Education Specialist Teacher, St. John Catholic School, WCDSB.

Adding YMCA Gym Class to the Virtual Y is one more way the Y is committed to showing up for their community. “The health and well-being of all our people remains our priority. The addition of YMCA Gym Class is just one more way we’re working hard to be there for our community,” says Vogt.

“Recognizing the value that physical health has in relation to our overall wellness, and realizing that students who are healthy perform at their best, one of our important goals at the WCDSB is to enable more people to get moving in more ways, more often,” says Angelina Navarra, Planning Time Specialist Teacher, St. John Catholic School. “We are excited that the YMCA Gym Class program will help us meet that goal.”

It is thanks to donors that the Y is able to provide this service free of charge to school boards, educators, children, and families. As a charity, the YMCA is committed to serving our Guelph community. Today, more than ever, the Y needs your help to continue serving our community. Donating to the Y will enable more creative programming, allowing the Y to show up even while physical locations are closed. To learn more or pledge your gift visit ThisIsY.ca.