Page 12 - Ontario Schools: Kindergarten to Grade 12

1
The School Environment
1.1 Healthy Schools
In order to help students realize their full potential, schools need to provide them with opportunities to develop knowledge and skills that will enable them to lead a healthy and active life. Given the amount of time that children and youth spend in school, a school environment that emphasizes healthy living can have a strong positive influence on students’ attitudes, preferences, and behaviours.
1.1.1 Daily Physical Activity (DPA)
All elementary students, including students with special education needs, must have a minimum of twenty minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity each school day during instructional time. (This requirement is included as an expectation in the elementary health and physical education curriculum.) The goal of daily physical activity (DPA) 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. School boards are responsible for monitoring the implementation of DPA. School boards and principals should also take appropriate action to ensure that parents are kept informed of their children’s participation in these activities.
PPM No. 138, “Daily Physical Activity in Elementary Schools, Grades 1–8” (October 6, 2005) www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/ppm138.pdf
Main page on the ministry website:
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/dpa.html
10 OntariO SchOOlS, Kindergarten tO grade 12