Erie 1 BOCES’ coordinator for the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant initiative appeared on WIVB-TV to promote the benefits of children and families being active during the winter.  

Kate Huber told the news outlet about the physical, mental and social benefits of outdoor play, even at the earliest ages. The grant initiative supports work with K-12 schools to promote healthy outdoor activities, and that work also includes coordination with preschools and daycares.  

(Watch the WIVB-TV interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CU-QLrPwGw)

“Those healthy habits are formed when they're little,” she said. “If we can make it the norm to go outside, they'll continue it lifelong, which is what we want to see.” 

Huber said that the winter brings different possibilities for creative play and sensory experiences, and that natural light can supply the body with vitamin D and support children’s mental well-being. Among the ideas she shared for winter activities included walks, sledding and building a snowman.  

She also shared that those donating to winter clothing drives should consider offering waterproof items to help keep children outside and active.  

“If we want kids to play, they need to have the right gear,” Huber said.  

The Creating Healthy Schools & Communities grant initiative is a five-year public health initiative by the New York State Department of Health designed to designed to promote health and wellness in high-need school districts and communities across the state. Locally, Erie 1 BOCES is collaborating with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County, Healthy Community Alliance and GObike Buffalo to lead the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) initiative.  

Among the school districts connected to the initiative are Salamanca, Randolph, West Valley, Springville Griffith Institute, Lackawanna, Cheektowaga Central, Cheektowaga Sloan and Maryvale. 

More information about the grant can be found at https://www.e1b.org/en/instructional-support/creating-healthy-schools-and-communities.aspx. Watch the full interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CU-QLrPwGw.