PARC ConferenceDaily Physical Activity

Healthy Bodies…Healthy Minds…Healthy Schools

DPA ImplementationTwo years later

PresenterRichard Ward

Objectives - Participants will: actively review the background, the requirements and the benefits of

DPA explore where the implementation of DPA exists across the province

today share successes and concerns/issues and discuss how to over come

any challenges examine how to sustain DPA over time examine the role of public health in the continued implementation of

DPA, the sustainability of DPA and the positioning of DPA as a part of a healthy school

P/PM 138 - DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, GRADES 1–8

The Ministry of Education( EDU) supports and promotes the participation of students in daily physical activity. Consequently,

school boards must ensure that all elementary students, including students with special needs, have a minimum of twenty minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity each school day

during instructional time.

Focus of the Session

Why the need for DPA?

• Childhood obesity has tripled from 5 - 15% over the past three decades

(Source: Dieticians of Canada, 2005)

• Only 9% of Canadian children and youth (aged 5 to 19) meet the recommended guideline in Canada's Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth.

(Source: Canadian Physical Activity Levels Among Youth (CANPLAY) Study 2005-2006)

• Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, stress and anxiety.

(Source: Warburton DER, Nicol CW, Bredin SSD. Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Canadian Medical Association Journal 2006; 174 (6): 801-9)

Benefits of Physical Activity on Learning & the Brain

• It is imperative that we recognize that physical activity is not only good for the body, but essential for the growing brain. Student brains need re-freshing, re-focusing, attention adherence, concentration and continuous change to reach their fullest potential. (Source: Professor Tom McNorton University of Windsor Faculty of Education-Sessional Instructor)

• Studies completed in 2004 by researchers at Hofstram University corroborated findings over the last decade that physical play actually stimulates growth in the brain.

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• Physical movement during writing and reading is often crucial for brain alertness and performance. Allowing boys, especially, who seem to be “zoning out” in class, to squeeze a Nerf Ball in the non-writing hand, can keep the brain stimulated to read and write. (Gurian 2005)

Benefits of Physical Activity on Learning & the Brain

EDU Response - Healthy Schools Healthy Eating (P/PM 135)• Having standards for foods and beverages sold in elementary

school vending machines is an important first step in promoting a healthy school community. It helps ensure that healthy food and beverage choices are available for Ontario's students, and reinforces the messages delivered to children through The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1 to 8: Health and Physical Education, 1998.

Daily Physical Activity (P/PM 138)• The goal of daily physical activity is to enable all elementary

students to improve or maintain their physical fitness and their overall health and wellness, and to enhance their learning opportunities.

Foundations for a Healthy School Strong curriculum, healthy physical environment,

supportive social environment and community partnerships

EDU Response Continued

Second PE Activity Credit at Secondary (P/PM 146) The revised policy gives students the flexibility to

take more than one Healthy Active Living Education (HALE) course for credit in each of grades 9 – 12.

Focus courses can now be offered in grade nine.

Healthy Schools Recognition program

Provincial Fitness Challenge

Healthy Schools Working Table

Secondary School Student Engagement Funding

Healthy Schools Program

October 6, 2005 Press ReleaseOctober 6, 2005 Press Release

“Today the Ministry of Education hastaken another important step insupporting healthy schools. TheMinistry announced today that 20minutes of sustained moderate tovigorous physical activity duringinstructional time must become anessential part of the school day for allelementary students.”

Gerard Kennedy

2005/2006 Announcement of Ministry Funding to Support DPA in

Elementary SchoolsDecember 12, 2005 Funding Memorandum

Deputy Minster Ben Levin sent a memorandum thatannounced the Ministry investment of $10.7 million toprovide schools with a variety of resources to support DPA.

The one-time funding was to be used for:• professional development;• teacher release time;• school equipment;• human resources.

Funds were to be spent by March 31, 2006

February 5, 2007 Funding Memorandum

Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne announced further assistance in the implementation of DPA. The announcement stated that:• schools play a critical role in helping young children lead healthy active lives;• building capacity in schools is an essential component of implementing DPA.The ministry provided $2M to schools and school boards for use in the 2006 / 2007 school year.School Boards received $5000 along with $400 per elementary school.

These funds were to be used in key areas such as:professional development (opportunities for principals and teachers); teacher release time for training, leadership, planning;human resources e.g., services of experts/consultants.

Kathleen Wynne

2007 Announcement of Ministry Funding to Support DPA in

Elementary Schools

2008 Announcement of Ministry Funding to Support DPA in

Elementary SchoolsFebruary 4, 2008 Funding Memorandum

Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne announced a renewal of the funding for the implementation of DPA.

The ministry again provided $2M to schools and school boards for use in the 2007 / 2008 school year.

School Boards received $5000 along with $400 per elementary school.

The funding is to be used for:* professional development, * school equipment, * teacher release time and * human resources

Why should schools implement DPA?

• Studies show that Daily Physical Activity can provide the following benefits for students:

• physical health: strong bones, muscles, posture, balance, prevention of chronic diseases, e.g., type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer

• mental health: improved behaviour, social interaction, self image

• learning ability: time on task, improved academic achievement

• student leadership

• Ministry of Education P/PM 138 - DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, GRADES 1–8

• Curriculum Policy (Part of H&PE Curriculum)

IT IS MINISTRY POLICY!

IT IS GOOD FOR STUDENTS!

Daily Physical Activity Requirements • All students grades 1 – 8 • Time allocation: schedule 20 minutes in length• Considered only one component of H&PE and

must not replace the teaching of H&PE • Scheduled during instructional time each

school day • Lesson content to consist of Warm-up/ Activity/

Cool-down • Sustained moderate to vigorous activity • Provide a safe environment (includes location

and activity) for the participants • Varied locations

DPA RequirementsAll Students Grades 1-8

• Participation of All Students All activities must be adapted, as appropriate, to ensure that students with special needs can participate in them. Such adaptations must be consistent with the

accommodations and/or modifications that are typically

found in a student's Individual Education Plan.

• Kindergarten Students Although the P/PM is only applicable to elementary students Grades 1-8, schools boards and principals should also ensure opportunities are provided for Kindergarten students to be physically active each day to address the expectation “participate actively in creative movement and other daily physical activities.”

DPA Requirements 20 Minutes of Sustained

Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity

H&PE Curriculum Expectation: Students will participate in sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity

(e.g., an aerobics routine) for a minimum of twenty minutes each day, including appropriate warm-up and cool-down

procedures.

Sustained Moderate to Vigorous

increase in breathing and/or heart rate can carry on a conversation comfortably during the activity body will begin to feel warm. examples of moderate physical activity are brisk walking, biking, swimming and recreational dancing.

aerobic in nature increases the breathing and

heart rates enough for cardio respiratory conditioning.

depending on fitness level, make the participant feel quite warm,

talking is possible but the ability to carry on a conversation is limited.

amount of time required for a vigorous activity is dependent on age and stage of development.

examples of vigorous physical activity are jogging, hockey, basketball, fast swimming and aerobic dancing.

Moderate Vigorous

DPA Requirements During the Instructional Day

• Within the 300 minutes of instructional time (i.e.,not before school, during recess, lunch, nutrition breaks or after school)

• Requirement of the Health and Physical Education Curriculum

DPA Requirements

• DPA is only one component of a quality H&PE program

• DPA must not replace the teaching of Physical Education

• Daily PE is still the ultimate goal

DPA Requirements DPA – Lesson Content

Warm-Up To warm up, students should participate in some low-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking. Using the large muscles and gradually increasing speed and intensity in this type of activity gradually increases the heart rate and blood flow to the muscles. During the warm-up, it is important to follow with stretches that move the joints through their full range of motion.

Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity It is important to ensure that students participate in the activities in an appropriate manner working towards increasing their ability to participate in them for a sustained period of time.

Cool-Down After physical activity, a cool-down period involving a more gentle activity helps the heart and body to return to their normal state. Slow-moving activities and stretches also help normalize the blood flow to the muscles and improve flexibility.

Locations for DPA

• Gymnasium • Fitness Rooms • Forums • Hallways • Outside• Classrooms • Off-Site

DPA Supports Available

Spring 2006 - Ministry of Education released a set of DPA Guides which Ophea was contracted to help develop

• Teachers’ Guides “DPA in Schools” Grades 1-3, 4-6, and 7-8. (all teachers)

• Guide for School Boards (all Boards)• Guide for School Principals (all schools)

• Available to download from Ministry website at: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/dpa.html

DPA Supports AvailableGuide for School Principals

• DPA background information• Developing a school implementation plan• Facilities, safety, equipment• Communication strategies• Sustaining DPA• Sample surveys/letters – staff, students, parents• Action plan template, • Annual review• Sample timetables• Variety of checklists – planning, implementation

Ophea’s DPA Training Support Services Package

• DPA Activity Cards• Professional Development –web-

based workshops for teachers and administrators

• DPA Resource Database on Ophea.net

• Access to provincial expertise and support

• DPA Supplementary Resources e.g., music CD, posters

• Discounted Kids Health Conference

Ophea Master Trainer and On-line DPA Workshops

Ophea offers four Master Trainer DPA workshops for teachers• Shake up the Learning• Thinking Outside the Gymnasium• DPA Anywhere Anytime Anyplace• DPA and Dance

Ophea offers a master Trainer DPA workshop for administrators

Ophea is planning an Integrated DPA workshop

Ophea offers an on-line DPA workshop for new administrators and is developing a DPA on-line workshop for new teachers

Other DPA Resources• Exercise in Disguise – WCDSB• Moving on the Spot – Toronto Public Health• CIRA’s “Everybody Moves”• Chair Aerobics Cards and Posters - TDSB• Health Hustles - TDSB• Circuit Cards – TDSB and Thompson • Treasure Chest – TVDSB• DVPA resources – YRDSB• DPA Rings - HPEDSB• Kids on the Move – TDSB/MLSE DVD• HAT resources; On Your Way to DPA - TCDSB• Hooked on DPA - PDSB• Words in Motion – HPEDSB• TDSB - DPA Supplementary Handbook• Kids In Action• Speed skating and DPA

Activity #1Environmental Scan

innovative approaches in your district to implement and sustain DPA

challenges common to a few boards suggestions as to what is needed to

over come the challenges

In Groups of 4-6 discuss: