Local students will be up and moving as they jump to the music of the Everyone Jump concert series. Students from Tweedsmuir Public School entered a national Educational Challenge where they had to showcase what they learned about preventing diabetes through an in-classroom program. As winners, the school received one of 35 Everyone Jump Celebration Concerts which will tour the nation, landing at elementary schools in five provinces. Everyone Jump is a partnership between Ophea (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) and Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. to teach Grade 5 students about preventing type 2 diabetes through regular physical activity and healthy eating.

The Celebration Concerts will take place at winning schools in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, and wrap up on April 28th.

The Everyone Jump Celebration Concerts -- produced by Children's Hour Productions -- are educational, interactive, and high energy shows performed to the songs from the Everyone Jump CD. In addition to the Celebration Concert, winning students receive a recognition plaque during the show and a huge round of applause for their efforts!

"This year, more than 16,650 students across Canada learned about diabetes through the Everyone Jump Educational Challenge," says Chris Markham, Executive Director, Ophea. "So many kids are participating because Everyone Jump is a fun, interactive way to engage and educate kids about preventing type 2 diabetes, and it's easy for teachers to use in the classroom."

Everyone Jump was launched in 2005 to build awareness of the importance of regular physical activity and healthy eating as a way to prevent type 2 diabetes. Now, the resource is available to every public and Catholic elementary school in Ontario, as well as selected schools in four other provinces.

The program is designed for children and teachers to work through classroom lessons supported by music about diabetes, and invites students to participate in an annual Educational Challenge. Students express what they've learned by either designing a poster to raise awareness of diabetes or create a physical activity to accompany one of the Everyone Jump songs, and make a video or poster of the actions.

Type 2 diabetes remains one of the most pressing health crises facing young Canadians today," said Vince Lamanna, President, Novo Nordisk Canada, a world leader in diabetes care. "Everyone Jump helps children understand the importance of healthy eating and regular physical activity in a simple and relevant way to help prevent type 2 diabetes."