Physical Activity for Schools

Public Health Nurses are available to provide schools in York Region with consultation, support, programs and resources on physical activity for staff, students and parents. Find out how to contact the York Region Public Health Nurse for your school by calling Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653. The resources below are available to support schools that identify physical activity as a priority.

Active Tools for Schools

Active Tools for Schools is designed to help elementary schools make active choices with user-friendly resources promoting increased levels of physical activity.

Active Tools for Schools breaks down the broad concept of physical activity into five different topics with strategies that support and influence physical activity in schools.  Review the different  topics as well at the suggested ideas and activities to support the development and implementation of the Healthy Schools Action Plan. The Active Tools for Schools Checklist and Prioritization Tool is a great way for your school to get started.

School-Based Interventions to Promote Physical Activity

 

Active Play

Active Play, also called unstructured play, contributes to overall physical activity in children. According to the Canadian Public Health Association Children’s Unstructured Play Positional Statement (2019), unstructured play provides a variety of benefits for children and youth health and well-being including:

  • Physical health and gross motor skills
  • Mental and emotional health
  • Social health and team work
  • Learning and attention at school
  • Resiliency and risk management skills

For more information on Active Play visit york.ca/activeplay.

One of the main barriers to active play is the weather. It is important to consider weather precautions and dress appropriately for outdoor play. Refer to the York Catholic District School Board Extreme Weather Policy #221 or the York Region District School Board Extreme Hot and Cold Weather and UV Protection Guideline for more information.

Fact Sheets

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun is a leading cause of skin cancer.  According to the Canadian Cancer Society, there are 6 ways to be sun safe:

  • Check the UV index every day
  • Seek shade, especially between 11am and 3pm when the UV rays are the strongest
  • Cover up using wide brimmed hats and clothing
  • Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection
  • Use sunscreen properly

For more information on sun safety, visit the Canadian Cancer Society.

DPA (Daily Physical Activity)

Daily Physical Activity (DPA) was mandated by the Ontario Ministry of Education in 2005 (P/PM 138) and requires all elementary students to have a minimum of twenty minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day during instructional time.

Active Tools for Schools – Enhancing DPA supports schools in planning and implementing DPA by introducing the concept of creating a healthy, active school environment.

Resources

PLAY Program (Peer Leadership for Active Youth)

Not currently available

The PLAY program offers leadership training for students in grades five to eight who, once trained, teach interactive and co-operative games to students in kindergarten to grade three at recess. This program promotes positive spaces for learning and play by enhancing student leadership skills, promoting inclusivity of all students on the playground, increasing physical activity opportunities and enhancing social skills and overall mental well-being.

The Handbook for PLAY Leader Champions is made up of five sections to guide leaders and junior students through a half day training session. There is also a Handbook for PLAY Program Student Leaders that provides information and skill building through interactive activities where students learn about leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, communication and respect. Following the training, student PLAY leaders implement their new skills while they lead active and fun games on the playground. To request PLAY resources for your school, please contact your York Region Public Health Nurse or call York Region Health Connection at 1 800 361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933.

York Region Public Health’s PLAY program links to elementary school curriculum expectations and supports the development of positive climates for learning in the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board.

Physical Activity in Secondary Schools

Opportunities for secondary students to engage in physical activity are important for academic success and physical and mental well-being. A variety of resources and initiatives are outlined in a Physical Activity Framework for Secondary Schools.

pause to PLAY

Not currently available

The annual spring pause to PLAY Challenge encourages students to put their TVs, gaming devices, smartphones, tablets and computers on “pause” for one full week and become more physically active through play. Parents can also join in with their kids at home!

Teachers and instructors can register their classrooms for the pause to PLAY Challenge with the chance to win prizes. Public Health Nurses will support classrooms, students, schools and parents with pause to PLAY posters, scoresheets, and tips during the challenge.

Check out these tips on reducing screen time at home:

  • Place limits on screen time
  • Avoid using screen-time as reward or punishment
  • Role modelling by following these tips yourself
  • Create screen-free bedrooms
  • Turn screens off during meals
  • Offer fun alternatives to screen time
  • Know how often you should be moving
  • Improve your physical literacy

Fact Sheets

For more information on the pause to PLAY challenge, please email York Region Public Health School Services at: @email