Children learn better and have a positive attitude towards school when they are active every day, eat healthy food and take part in activities that build self esteem. The Health and Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum sets guidelines to teach healthy lifestyle skills. Together, teachers, parents and students can build an Active Healthy School that supports the curriculum.

Consider implementing the following strategies that get kids moving, ensure healthy foods are available, and reduces teen smoking. All activities link to the Health and Physical Education Curriculum JK to Grade 8.

For more information about any of the programs below contact Anne or Hanna

HPE Curriculum Support Strategies

Stay Connected - Designate an HPE (Health and Physed) Contact for your School

Take Heart Schools recruits teachers in each elementary school to:

• Increase awareness of resources and programs that support the curriculum
• Provide leadership and orientation on health and physic classes using the OPHEA Curriculum
• Support Documents (see below)
• Share information on ideas and tools that build an active healthy school environment

Improve the quality of your Health and Physical Education (HPE) Class

"Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum Support Documents: K - 10"
These binders from the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) are available in the Thunder Bay District (an already in most schools). These documents include:

·        Step by Step Lesson Plans;

·        Clear links to curriculum expectations;

·        Assessment suggestions with every lesson (including rubrics);

·        Background information for program planning;

·        Black line masters for assessment and teach tools.

On-line Orientation to the Curriculum Support Documents

Walk through these documents on your own. Visit www.ophea.net

In-school Orientation to the OPHEA Curriculum Support Documents (elementary)

A Health Promotion Planner from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit is available to come to your school to conduct a 1.5 hour overview of the lesson plans, tools and rubrics.

Order resources from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit

The Health Unit library has a number of lesson plans and resources that are linked to the HPE Curriculum by strand, strand component and grade. Look for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit Audio/Visual Resource Catalogue delivered to each school. Click here to order resource online.

Teachers: looking for an interesting way to teach your class about Nutrition and Healthy Living? The event encourages all participants to "eat their veggies and fruit" - 5 to 10 a day as recommended by Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Find out More.

Lungs are for Life

Available for both elementary and secondary schools. This program is rated by Health Canada as one of the top three smoking prevention programs in the country. It meets expecations outlined in the Substance Use and Abuse component of the HPE Curriculum, as well as other expectations in Math, Language, Science and the Arts. Learning modules for Grades K-12 are free and easy to implement. Contact www.on.lung.ca to order these resources.

Active Healthy School Strategies (elementary)

These strategies affect the activity levels and eating habits of children throughout the school day. Students and teachers need support from administrators and parents to create a school environment that supports the lessons learned in the HPE Curriculum.

NicoTEEN Prevention

This is a day long interactive tobacco use prevention workshop for youth in grades 7 & 8.

Exercise in Disguise - Energizer Breaks for the Classroom

Energize your students, jazz up an assembly, and meet the Daily Vigorous Activity Curriculum Expectation with these simple 5 minute activity breaks from "Exercise in Disguise". This free resource is available to all elementary teachers, complete with in-class training by a volunteer or staff of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

Active and Safe Routes to School

This program creates safe traffic zones so students can be encouraged to walk or bike to school. Initiatives include:

·        Walking School Bus

·        Walking Wednesdays

·        Walking Buddies

·        International Walk a Child to School Day

Active Schools Program

This is a free program developed by the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA). It is designed to motivate and educate parents and teachers on ways to incorporate activity into the school day (with links to the HPE curriculum). Resource materials include classroom and school posters, implementation guide, and planning and support materials.

Take Heart Schools will provide a financial incentive to the first 10 schools in the Thunder Bay District who register with OPHEA in the 2003-2004 school year.

Elementary School Nutrition Report and Recommended Guidelines
To be completed Fall 2003

Eat Smart! Ontario's Healthy Restaurant Program

School Cafeteria Program, Workplace Cafeteria Program
Eat Smart! is a provincial program designed to encourage healthy food choices, food safety and non-smoking seating in school and worksite cafeterias across the province. Find out more.

Ideas for Parents

Parents can reinforce what children learn in school by making healthy choices at home, and supporting school initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles. For more information on helping your child eat for health, and be active every day click here.

Links for Teachers and Parents

·        Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA)

·        Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

·        Games and lesson plan ideas for physical education classes

·        Healthy Choices for Kids nutrition and activity education program (Washington State)