Physical Activity

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Ideas & Resources

Physical activity is a vital component of student well-being, fostering physical health, mental clarity, and social connection. This START metric encourages schools to go beyond state-mandated requirements and create diverse opportunities for students to engage in organized physical activity. Prioritizing outdoor activities, when weather permits, and offering a variety of options allows students to explore movement in ways that resonate with their interests and abilities.

Expanding physical activity offerings not only supports healthier lifestyles but also promotes a sense of community and belonging. By incorporating a range of activities into the school day and beyond, schools can create a more active, engaged, and vibrant student body.

Strategies to Expand Physical Activity Opportunities

NOTE: This is not a prescriptive list; it just offers ideas to inspire action and can be tailored to fit the unique needs of each school.

Offer a Variety of Activities
- Organize team sports such as soccer, basketball, or volleyball for competitive and recreational play.
- Provide non-competitive options like yoga, dance breaks, or jogging clubs.
Incorporate Physical Activity Into the School Day
- Schedule short physical activity breaks during classes to refresh focus and energy.
- Integrate movement into lessons through active learning techniques or outdoor projects.
Leverage Outdoor Spaces
- Use school grounds or nearby parks for activities like nature walks, outdoor yoga, or fitness challenges.
- Develop outdoor classrooms to combine physical activity with learning.
Create Before- and After-School Programs
- Offer clubs or activities such as martial arts, gardening, or cycling groups.
- Provide opportunities for early morning or after-school sports practice to accommodate different schedules.
Host Special Events
- Organize jogathons, charity walks, or fitness competitions to engage the entire school community.
- Partner with local organizations to host physical activity workshops or events.

Promote Inclusive Activities
- Ensure all activities are accessible to students of varying abilities and fitness levels.
- Offer adaptive sports or individual activities like swimming or stretching routines.
Collaborate with Community Resources
- Partner with local gyms, yoga studios, or sports leagues to provide free or discounted programs.
- Invite community experts to lead sessions in activities like zumba, tai chi, or kickboxing.
Incentivize Participation
- Use rewards or recognition systems to encourage consistent involvement in physical activities.
- Celebrate student achievements in physical fitness during assemblies or newsletters.
Provide Necessary Equipment
- Ensure access to equipment like balls, jump ropes, or mats for a variety of activities.
- Establish a lending program so students can borrow equipment for home use.
Engage Student Input
- Survey students to identify their preferred activities and include them in program planning.
- Create a student-led physical activity committee to gather ideas and promote participation.

Additional Resources

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

From the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, evidence-based recommendations for physical activity amounts & types for different age groups.

Schools hold the key to a healthy, sustainable and regenerative future.

They are role-models and incubators that that nurture, educate and prepare each generation for adult life.

Schools have a unique opportunity and profound responsibility to become part the transition to a sustainable, regenerative future in which people and planet can thrive.

But how do we get there?

START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool was created by schools, for schools, to help them develop comprehensive programs for step-by-step progress towards sustainability, regenerative practice, and student empowerment.

START provides a Roadmap for School Sustainability:

It breaks down school sustainability into clear actions (‘metrics’), such as Minimizing Waste, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and supporting Sustainable Transportation options.

However, research shows it’s not enough for a school to simply reduce its environmental impact.

Students and staff also need to learn about sustainability, and practice it in day-to-day activities, because this impacts their attitudes and behaviors when they leave school. That’s why START includes metrics like Sustainability Events for Students, Sustainability Course Content, and Sustainable Purchasing Practices.

How sustainable is our school now?

Schools use START to measure how sustainable they are now. A school’s START team investigates how their school currently operates to find their ‘sustainability baseline’ for each metric. For example, is our school a beginner, intermediate or advanced in sustainable water use? START enables schools to benchmark, track and visualize their current sustainability levels, as well as hard data around their waste, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions.

Where should we go next, and do we collaborate for success?

What do we need to do to ‘level up’ in each metric? Once schools have their baselines, START helps them to set goals and plan for progress. START provides a central hub for school members to collaborate, document, and plan their school’s sustainability journey.

START is a subscription-based Whole School Sustainability dashboard.

It requires at least one adult school member to create a school’s START account, but it will need a team (students, teachers and staff) to grow a Whole School Sustainability program.

Interested schools can sign up for a demo or apply to set up an account.

Learn more about START here, and consider sharing the brochure with your school.

Let’s create a better future, one school at a time.

Contact us at guides@greenschoolsalliance.org if you have a free resource to contribute or recommend that can help schools take action around this specific sustainability metric.