1. I don't have time for more paperwork! How much time is required from the school official?
2. What is an A-C-T-I-V-E set?
3. When should I apply for a level?
4. How do I use the Inventory Check List? Is it mandatory?
5. How can my school win prizes?
6. Is there a time limit?
7. Do I have to read the whole binder?
8. How is Active Schools linked to the Health and Physical Education (H&PE) Curriculum?
9. My school is already very active…
10. What do we do with the Active Schools Achievement Poster/Stickers?
11. What's a Message Centre? How do I make one? Is it mandatory?
12. How do I know what category my initiative falls under?
13. We do a walk-a-thon every year in our school. Can we use this as an initiative every year?
14. We're doing an initiative that falls under two categories can we get credit for this under each category?
15. What do I do after we've reached Level 6?
16. Where can I find out about activities that have been implemented and were successful?
17. Is it mandatory that activities need to include the entire school community?
18. How do we communicate our success to the community?
19. Where can I go for help?
20. How do I apply for a level?
1. I don't have time for more paperwork! How much time is required from the school official?
Active Schools has been refined to involve minimal paperwork by incorporating checklists and tables. The program is meant to be implemented by a team rather than by an individual member of the school community. By completing the Inventory Checklist, you will discover that your school community is almost ready to apply for a level! Simply complete the Level Application Form and fax/mail it to Ophea.
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2. What is an A-C-T-I-V-E set?
When your school community completes an activity that fulfills criteria in each of the A-C-T-I-V-E categories (Active Participation, Co-curricular, Teamwork, Involvement, Values and Education), you have completed an A-C-T-I-V-E set.
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3. When should I apply for a level?
Your school community is ready to apply for a level whenever an A-C-T-I-V-E set is completed. There are no deadlines. Schools that apply for a level by the end of each month will be entered in PRIZE draws for the month and year.
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4. How do I use the Inventory Check List? Is it mandatory?
The Inventory Checklist is your personal tool to guide you in planning your A-C-T-I-V-E Schools Participation. The Checklist will indicate what you are now doing and what you need to do in order to obtain each level. You may discover that your school is already active enough to achieve level 1! It is recommended that your school community completes the Inventory Checklist to help plan for each level.
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5. How can my school win prizes?
Every time your school applies for a level, your school community is entered in the PRIZE draw. Winners will be notified by phone or fax, and will be profiled in the Active Schools Newsletter and on www.ophea.net.
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6. Is there a time limit?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Active Schools was designed to be a continuous and on-going program. School communities can work at their own pace, and continue in September where they left off in June. You can apply for a level when your school is ready. Remember: to be included in the monthly draw, you must submit your application to Ophea by the end of each month.
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7. Do I have to read the whole binder?
NO! The binder is meant to be read as needed. Start off with the introduction section. We then recommend that you complete the Inventory Checklist to see how close you are to achieving a level. Other sections of the binder are there when you need them.
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8. How is Active Schools linked to the Health and Physical Education (H&PE) Curriculum?
Active Schools links directly to the Active Participation Strand of the Ontario Curriculum: Health and Physical Education, Grades 1-8. This strand emphasizes the importance of physical activity and physical fitness. "The curriculum requires that students participate in vigorous activity for a sustained period of time each day." (page 5). Through participation in Active Schools, all students are given opportunities to begin or continue making decisions about becoming health active members in society.
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9. My school is already very active…
FANTASTIC! Active Schools recognizes school communities for the great things they are already doing! It also provides a framework for sharing ideas and resources to build upon the unique strengths of your school community. By declaring your intent to become an Active School...you are already an Active School! Each time you achieve a level, you will receive a level sticker to display on your achievement poster.
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10. What do we do with the Active Schools Achievement Poster/Stickers?
Hang the Active Schools Achievement Poster up in a prominent area of your school. Perhaps a busy hallway or the school's main lobby. By declaring your intent to become an Active School… you already are an Active School! Each time you achieve a level, you will receive a level sticker to display on your poster.
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11. What's a Message Centre? How do I make one? Is it mandatory?
An Active Schools Message Centre is a place where school community members can access information about Active Schools. A Message Centre is not mandatory, but it practically makes itself! Here are some ideas to get you started:
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12. How do I know what category my initiative falls under?
See The A-C-T-I-V-E Categories located in the front of your binder for guidance. If you need more help, contact Public Health (www.alphaweb.org or call (416) 595-0006 to find your local Public Health Unit), or email activeschools@ophea.net or call Ophea at 1-888-446-7432 or 416-426-7120.
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13. We do a walk-a-thon every year in our school. Can we use this as an initiative every year?
YES! Many schools have physical activity traditions, such as an annual walk-a-thon or play day. These activities contribute to an Active Schools environment year after year.
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14. We're doing an initiative that falls under two categories can we get credit for this under each category?
ABSOLUTELY! As long as the criteria for the A-C-T-I-V-E categories are met, one activity can count towards more than one category.
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15. What do I do after we've reached Level 6?
Schools that reach Level 6 will receive an Active Schools Plaque.
After that, keep going! Your school can re-register as a SuperActive School the following year.
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17. Is it mandatory that activities need to include the entire school community?
NO! Each school community is unique. Active Schools is a flexible framework that takes these differences into account. We do not set guidelines for number of participants or duration of activities, because every little bit helps. Basically, you tell us when you've fulfilled the requirements to earn a level. We're not here to judge you; we're here to offer support and guidance.
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18. How do we communicate our success to the community?
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An Announcement Template is included in the "Communicate Your Success" section of your binder. You can use the template to communicate with:
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Use the Media Release Template to communicate with local newspapers, radio and television stations
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Duplicate and distribute the Active Schools Certificate (black-line master) to students, staff, parents or other community members who have made a difference in your school community.
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19. Where can I go for help?
Contact Public Health (http://www.alphaweb.org or call (416) 595-0006 to find your local Public Health Unit)
or contact Ophea at activeschools@ophea.net or 1-888-446-7432 or 416-426-7120.
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20. How do I apply for a level?
Simply fill out a Level Application Form and mail/fax it to Ophea at:
Active Schools
1185 Eglinton Ave. E., Suite 501
Toronto, ON
M3C 3C6
Fax: (416) 426-7373
View a Sample Level Application Form
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