Thursday, September 3, 2020
How educators, students and families can prioritize well-being in the times of COVID-19
As we prepare for a return to in-person learning in Ontario schools this fall, educators, parents and students have plenty of questions and concerns—and health and safety is first and foremost among them.
How...
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Whether it’s learning movement skills in Health and Physical Education (H&PE), outdoor play at recess, or getting active during Daily Physical Activity—the 20 minutes of physical activity mandated by the Ministry of Education—a regular school day is packed with activity. But there’s nothing...
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
This article is the second of a four-part series that takes a deep dive into different areas of research shown to be connected to effective curriculum implementation. Each article shares feedback from teachers, students, and education system leaders on what’s working, what’s needed and what’s next...
Monday, February 3, 2020
When it comes to professional development in education, there’s rarely enough time or funding to go around. That’s why making the most of the resources available is a must.
“It’s a complex system with competing priorities at every level,” says Joanne Walsh, Ophea Curriculum Consultant, long-time...
Monday, June 3, 2019
Ophea’s Healthy Schools Certification helps everyone come together for the health of the school community.
Hip hip, hurray! As Ophea’s Healthy Schools Certification approaches the end of another school year, there’s a lot to celebrate.
This year 274 schools have been certified as either Gold,...
Friday, September 28, 2018
Supporting Physical Literacy Assessment
Through a joint position paper called “Addressing Quality Assessment to Support the Development of Physical Literacy Skills in Health and Physical Education,” Ophea and OASPHE—Ontario’s two provincial subject associations for H&PE —have brought forward...
Monday, March 26, 2018
How student voice can build a school culture that works to stop sexual violence
When students speak up about sexual violence and harassment, their peers listen. That’s what Ophea and three partner organizations Draw-the-Line, Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, and White Ribbon, along with support...
Monday, February 5, 2018
When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission completed its six-year investigation in 2015 into the Canadian Indian residential school system, it released a series of reports that documented how to move forward to address Canada's colonialism. Physical education and sport were important components...
Monday, November 6, 2017
How a more flexible approach to Daily Physical Activity supports student health & their readiness to learn.
According to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth, children aged 5–11 should be getting at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day....
Friday, September 29, 2017
Inclusion means every student can succeed
“That’s not fair!” It’s a refrain that teachers—especially at the elementary level—hear often, but what students often fail to understand is that, when it comes to learning, fairness doesn’t necessarily mean everyone follows the same rules or gets the same...