Ophea is building towards an education system that fosters healthy school communities and gives every student a foundation to thrive.
Ophea’s approach aims to align partners in the sector under a common goal, bringing research, policy, and practice together to impact the health and well-being of children and youth.
Working in partnership with government, non-government, and partners Ophea advocates for healthy public policy and supports related to Health and Physical Education and healthy, active living in Ontario school communities.
2022 Provincial Budget Submission – Investing in the Health and Well-being of Ontario’s Children and Youth
In February 2022, the provincial government invited input into its pre-election budget. Significant investments in Health and Physical Education curriculum implementation, and in Healthy Schools, can go a long way in supporting pandemic recovery, enhancing belonging and connectedness within school communities, in turn enhancing the well-being and learning outcomes for children and youth.
Schoolyards Count: How Ontario’s schoolyards measure up for health, physical activity, and environmental learning
Decades of research demonstrate that the outdoors are an important part of students’ learning, social development, physical and mental health, sense of connection to the school community, and build an appreciation and respect of the environment. Schoolyard quality makes a difference to well-being, physical activity levels and learning opportunities for children in school communities. Sustainable, accessible opportunities that support social inclusion and physical activity within our schoolyards need to enhanced.
The Importance of Physical Activity Across the School Day
Physical activity opportunities can support student physical health, mental health and well-being through in-person and virtual physical education opportunities, as well as through play, recess, and intramurals. Quality, safe, and inclusive, daily physical activity is a fundamental right for all students, benefitting their well-being and advancing the goals of education. Learn more about this collective goal.
The Importance of Experiential Learning
As a result of the pandemic, student mental health and well-being have been negatively impacted, especially marginalized populations. Experiential learning through Dance, Drama, Visual/Media Arts, Indigenous Education, Music, Health and Physical Education provides a unique opportunity to improve relationships, respect, critical thinking, and collaboration, and these subject areas must have a meaningful place in the timetable to be delivered safely and equitably. This letter to Ontario’s education community emphasizes the importance of promoting and supporting student well-being through critically important forms of experiential learning.
Indigenous Education: Truth and Reconciliation Curriculum Writing Sessions
As a provincial subject association for Health and Physical Education, Ophea recognizes that Health and Physical Education are implicated in Canada’s colonialism. Ophea refers to provincial curricula for guidance and inspiration to support teachers across Ontario with the implementation of quality Health and Physical Education, and supports greater integration of Indigenous perspectives into all curricula.
Ophea Position Statement on Indigenous Education
Understanding Parental Attitudes Towards Health in Ontario Schools
Ophea surveyed parents/caregivers of Ontario school-aged children to better understand their perspectives on pressing health issues, Health and Physical Education (H&PE), healthy schools, physical activity, and safety. The survey results found that parents/caregivers believe that Ontario schools have an important role to play in supporting the health and well-being of their children, but have concerns about how equipped kids are to meet 21st century health challenges.
(for an accessible version please contact info@ophea.net)
(for an accessible version please contact info@ophea.net)
Physical Activity in the Elementary School Setting: Evidence Energizer
This Evidence Energizer presents Ophea’s key messages related to physical activity in the elementary school setting, and provides an evidence-based rationale for each message along with a complete bibliography of sources. These key messages are relevant to anyone promoting physical activity and the implementation of quality H&PE in elementary schools in Ontario.
Evidence Energizer: Physical Activity in the Elementary School Setting