SH Toolbox-Physical Activity - Recently Updated Pages

Recent news, upcoming events

cindyandrew — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:01:38 CST

This page lists news, upcoming and recent events relating to physical activity, physical education, active living, recreation and dance and schools.

Physical Education has Benefits but not Weight Loss or Increased Activity (Cochrane Review, January 2009, Dobbins et al, McMaster University)
Plain language summary: This review included 26 studies that evaluated the impact of combinations of school- based interventions focused on increasing physical activity among children and adolescents. Participants were between the ages of 6 to18 living in Australia, South America, Europe and North America. There is good evidence that school-based physical activity interventions are effective in increasing duration of physical activity, reducing blood cholesterol and time spent watching television and increasing VO2 max. VO2 max, known as maximal oxygen uptake or aerobic capacity, reflects the physical fitness level of an individual and generally increases as fitness levels improve. These interventions are not effective in increasing the percentage of children and adolescents who are physically active during leisure time, or in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, and pulse rate. At a minimum, a combination of printed educational materials and changes to the school curriculum that promote physical activity result in positive effects for four of the nine outcomes.

New research, published in the Jan 2009 Journal of School Health, looks at the relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement. The research found that "Results show statistically significant relationships between fitness and academic achievement, though the direction of causation is not known. While more research is required, promoting fitness by increasing opportunities for physical activity during PE, recess, and out of school time may support academic achievement." For the full article/abstract go to http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121580226/abstract.

Foundation Releases Groundbreaking Research
Go Out and Play: Youth Sports in America
This study measures the nationwide participation rates of girls and boys in exercise and organized team sports. The central focus is on how the intersections among families, schools and communities are related to children's involvement and interest in athletics and physical activity. Key findings include:

· Interest in Sports and Exercise Among Girls and Boys Is About Opportunity and Encouragement, Not Biology
· Girls Now Take Part in a Wider Array of Sports and Exercise Activities than Boys
· Boys in Immigrant Families Are More Likely than Girls to Play Sports

School PE/PA Progams have no Effect on Body Weight: Research Review (Medscape-Free subscription required)
October 14, 2008 (Boston, Massachusetts) — School-based physical activity interventions to address obesity in children have no effect on body mass index (BMI) or other anthropometric measures of overweight or obesity, a systematic review of the literature concludes. Lead investigator Kevin C. Harris, MD, presented the results of a meta-analysis here at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2008 National Conference and Exhibition. Dr. Harris is a pediatrician at the BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia. "School-based interventions are theoretically appealing because compliance with interventions can be improved. Consequently, many local governments have enacted or are considering policy mandating increasing physical activity in schools, although the efficacy of these interventions in improving body composition remains unproven," Dr. Harris said. "Therefore the objective of our study was to determine whether school-based physical activity interventions can improve body composition as measured by BMI in children." Dr. Harris and colleagues identified 398 studies initially; however, only 18 met all inclusion criteria, and 15 of those were amenable to meta-analysis. Ten of these were randomized controlled trials and 5 were nonrandomized controlled trials. Meta-analysis of the data revealed that the difference between intervention groups and the control groups in mean change in BMI was −0.05 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval, −0.19 to 0.10), indicating that BMI is not affected by school-based physical activity intervention. There was also no consistent improvement in any other measures of body composition, such as body fat percentage, skin-fold thickness, lean mass, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio. Researchers also conducted sensitivity analyses to assess whether important study characteristics might have influenced the results. Sex, study duration, and trial quality had no effect on the results. Changes in BMI was found to be virtually identical between the intervention and control groups in the sensitivity analyses, and regression analysis showed that results were also remarkably consistent across studies, Dr. Harris told session attendees. "We're very concerned that the results of our study might be taken out of context," Dr. Harris told Medscape Pediatrics. "There are important beneficial health effects from school-based physical activity interventions, such as improved aerobic capacity, blood pressure, bone mineral density, and flexibility. We should be promoting physical activity in school and outside of school. But if we're really going to tackle the issue of obesity, then we need to have interventions that are proven to impact BMI and other anthropometric measures." Dr. Harris stressed that providing nutritious food in school and optimizing children's nutritional intake and restricting access to unhealthy foods should be a key component of any school-based intervention.

The Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's recent report, F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, tracks trends in obesity related rates and policies. According to the report, much progress has been made during the past five years to bring attention to the obesity problem, and many communities and states have taken action to provide programs which make physical activity and good nutrition more accessible. At the same time, the report concludes that until wide adoption of these programs occurs and steady funding is available, only limited progress will be made.

Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: A Position Statement from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (May 2008): see it at: http://iweb.aahperd.org/naspe/pdf_files/CSPAP_Online.pdf

From Action for Healthy Kids (US): Criteria for Evaluating School-Based Approaches to Increasing Good Nutrition and Physical Activity. See it at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/pdf/criteria_report.pdf

School-based obesity prevention programs: an evidence-based review. )Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008 May;16(5):1009-18. Epub 2008 Feb 28)
Qualitative analysis suggests programs grounded in social learning may be more appropriate for girls, while structural and environmental interventions enabling physical activity may be more effective for boys. High-quality evaluation protocols should be considered essential components of future programs.

The agenda for the April 22/08 Physical Activity and PE related Symposium is attached below while the following links take you to the various presentations (they are also posted at http://www.cash-aces.ca/conference_2008/index.asp?Page=Downloads).

Antony Card - School Health Coordinators in Newfoundland & Labrador: Initial Reflections

Active Schools Projects in Newfoundland

Charles Williamson - South Shore Regional School Board

Gordon Walters - Active Healthy Living Nova Scotia

Promoting Change: Outside In, Inside Out

Action Schools BC - Promoting Healthy Living

OPHEA - Learnings from the Living School Experience

Mandigo - Physical Literacy, Theory & Practice

Marg Schwartz - DPA or DPE for a Health Promoting School Model?

Canadian Youth Participation in Sports Declines (Statistics Canada June 3-08)
A smaller percentage of Canadian children participated regularly in organized sports activities in 2005 than in 1992, and the decline was larger for boys, according to a new study. The study found that participation in sports rose with household incomes and the education levels of parents. It also showed that sports participation rates among children were highest in smaller towns and cities, and that children in Canada's three largest cities were least likely to participate in organized sports on a regular basis.

New Issue of CDC's journal Preventing Chronic Disease
The July 2008 issue has several articles relating to physical activity and schools:

Peer-led (Multiplier) Health Education in Brazil
In São Paulo, Brazil, the Healthy Lifestyle Multiplier Students program is based on studies that train older students (“multipliers”) as peer educators for younger students. These students influence each others’ cultural development and psychosocial growth, encourage one another to diversify their social relationships, and transform teaching-learning experiences. This intervention focused on physical activity, healthy diet, and the health effects of cigarette and alcohol consumption. The Healthy Lifestyle Multiplier Students program prompted the community to discuss themes that were absent from the school’s formal curriculum. The proposed health education process was creative and motivational and encouraged the adolescents to learn about health while improving the quality of public education.
Zanetta RL, Nobre MRC, Lancarotte I. Bringing up students in the Healthy Lifestyle Multiplier Students program, São Paulo, Brazil. Prev Chronic Dis 2008;5(3). http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/jul/07_0125.htm. Accessed June 18-08.

Local Ecological Monitoring System for Childhood Obesity
The authors develop, test and propose a prototype, the Child Health Ecological Surveillance System, for a regional health authority to monitor progress in addressing the growing obesity epidemic. This prototype could potentially be used in other jurisdictions to address other child health issues. We present 8 guiding principles for the development and implementation of a regional framework for action. The framework is based on an ecological approach that includes consideration of personal factors, interpersonal interactions with friends, family and others, institutional factors (including schools), community factors public policy and physical environment.
Reference: Plotnikoff RC, Lightfoot P, Barrett L, Spinola C, Predy G. A framework for addressing the global obesity epidemic locally: the Child Health Ecological Surveillance System (CHESS). Prev Chronic Dis 2008;5(3). http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/jul/07_0007.htm. Accessed [June 18-08].

Opportunities & Barriers to Joint Use Agreements for Sports & Recreation
The Honolulu County Department of Parks and Recreation sought to implement a joint use agreement to use the facilities of one urban high school for a recreational program. The high school selected for the pilot project has a student population primarily from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds. Method: An assessment of the potential of 7 urban high schools to implement a joint use agreement was conducted to select the pilot site. The In-Motion developed and implemented a joint use agreement. PA preferences of students, staff, and community members were assessed to guide recreational program offerings. Various recreational classes were offered free to the school community. Consequences: Several barriers to implementing the joint use agreement and recreational program were encountered. However, participants were satisfied with the recreational classes they attended and said that the In-Motion program helped them to engage in more PA. Program awareness by high school students and staff was high.
Interpretation: In-Motion has successfully modeled a pilot joint use agreement and provided new opportunities for PA to the high school’s students, teachers, and staff, and to community residents.
Reference: Choy LB, McGurk MD, Tamashiro R, Nett B, Maddock JE. Increasing access to places for physical activity through a joint use agreement: a case study in urban Honolulu. Prev Chronic Dis 2008;5(3). http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/jul/07_0117.htm. Accessed [June 18-2008].

Potential Benefits of Safe Routes To Schools (SRTS) in the US
The researchers used a geographic information system to generate estimates of the land area within 0.5 mile of public schools in large urban areas, small urban areas, metropolitan counties and nonmetropolitan counties. and then estimated population in these areas. They concludes that an estimated 65.5 million people in urban areas could benefit from SRTS projects. In nonurban areas, 1% or less of land is within 0.5 mile of a public school.
Watson M, Dannenberg AL. Investment in Safe Routes to School projects: public health benefits for the larger community. Prev Chronic Dis 2008;5(3). http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/jul/07_0087.htm. Accessed June 18-2008.

Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Improve Learning
A small study from Ontario, Canada shows schools that push fitness and nutrition have watched their standardized scores rise by as much as 50 per cent over two years in Grade 3 reading and 39 per cent in Grade 3 math – outscoring other schools in similar neighbourhoods by about eight points across all three subjects.

Canada’s Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth for 2008 is the fourth annual overview of key indicators in relation to the physical activity levels of Canada’s young people. While the Report Card is again a comprehensive overview of issues, this year the focus is on screen time and physical activity. The overall grade of D on the Report Card has been consistent from 2005-2008 because definitive and measurable progress is not yet fully evident, demonstrating the need for sustained and increased efforts. The Report Card identifies work in progress and the level of evidence available for each indicator.
See the Full or Summary version of the Report Card at http://www.activehealthykids.ca.

Home

cindyandrew — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:56:01 CDT

Welcome to this wiki-toolbox that serves as a shared work space for researchers, non-governmental organizations and local agencies interested in promoting physical activity in schools through school-based and school-linked programs.

The purpose of this wiki is to collect the educational, planning, assessment tools related to physical activity promotion in schools. We also have a page on related news and events.

This wiki is kept up-to-date by its members and is part of an ongoing knowledge exchange (Community of Practice) that includes:

the joint planning of a symposium and sessions at the annual School Health conference
webinars on selected topics
other activities organized by the members of the Community of Practice

For more information on any the above, contact Cindy Andrew at candrew@cash-aces.ca.
How to use this wiki

To participate in this on-line wiki-based dialogue, you can use the "Thread" button found on the bottom of each page to make comments on the content on that page. You can also make a comment directly into the Discussion Forum (found on the top navigation bar). You can also edit and add text within the page by clicking on the "Easy Edit" button. Use the commands within that Easy Edit tool to add links to other web sites or documents. You can also add other pages to the wiki by using the "Add Page" button found just below the navigation bar on the left hand side of the page.

You can make the comments and edits and additions anonymously because we have left this wiki wide open to the public. If you want to let people know who made the change or suggestion, use the Join this Wiki found in the right hand side of the top navigation bar to create a little profile for your self. By joining the wiki (no charge, no spam) you can use the tools within the wiki to control the email you receive from this wiki (including none), post messages for other members and choose to "watch" or "unwatch" selected pages within the wiki.

If you want to make a comment or suggestion through email, or would like more information, contact Cindy Andrew at candrew@cash-aces.ca.

If you want to learn more about how to use the tools within this wiki, go to the "how to" wetpaint FAQ page or you can even go to the wetpaint "sandbox", where you can test out the various tools without editing an existing wiki. You might be interested in our other SH wikis, including our professional networking web site (http://canadianschoolhealthprofiles.wetpaint.com/), our listing of research and reports (http://schoolhealthbibliography.wetpaint.com/) and our listing of status reports (http://schoolhealthincanada.wetpaint.com/)

Also, we have created several tool-box wikis as part of several other Communities of Practice.

About this Community of Practice

cindyandrew — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:49:33 CDT

The Canadian Association for School Health has been working with number of organizations in supporting school health (e.g. Canadian School Health NGO Network; School Health Research Network; Canadian School Health Knowledge Network). As part of the networking activity CASH is working to develop mini-networks on particular issues, including Physical Education/Physical Activity. This CoP presents an opportunity to support knowledge exchange, foster coordination and collaboration on a variety of projects of interest to its participants by bring together national non-government organizations, researchers, local agency practitioners (e.g. school district and health authority professionals) and others as interested. There are several opportunities that are being planned to support the exchange of evidence-informed practices, resources and research. Practical activities geared to helping support effective practice include:

School Health Webinars: These are 60 minute, web/phone based seminars presented by a blend of research experts and practitioners. Each session is very topic specific (e.g. active recess programs; municipal recreation department’s role in school PE/PA programming, etc.) More about the webinars program can be seen at: http://www.safehealthyschools.org/webinars/introduction.htm.

Schools & PE/Physical Activity Symposium (April 21/08): this day-long focused on a comprehensive approach to this issue. It was held in conjunction with the 4th annual National School Health Conference. The presentations from the symposium are provided below. For information on the full symposia series and the National School Health Conference see www.safehealthyschools.org/shconferences.

Antony Card - School Health Coordinators in Newfoundland & Labrador: Initial Reflections

Active Schools Projects in Newfoundland

Charles Williamson - South Shore Regional School Board

Gordon Walters - Active Healthy Living Nova Scotia

Promoting Change: Outside In, Inside Out

Action Schools BC - Promoting Healthy Living

OPHEA - Learnings from the Living School Experience

Mandigo - Physical Literacy, Theory & Practice

Marg Schwartz - DPA or DPE for a Health Promoting School Model?

Wiki toolbox: this virtual filing cabinet presents an opportunity to continue to update/broadcast PE/PA and schools related research, policy, program and practice related work underway in Canada and internationally. Contributions to this wiki are encouraged. For more on the PE/PA community of practice, contact Cindy Andrew at candrew@cash-aces.ca.

The Community of Practice meets via teleconference approximately 4 times per year. Minutes and items of interested for each of these calls are attached below.

Resources

cindyandrew — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:13:13 CDT

PlaySport (www.playsport.net) is an educational website with all kinds of great activities designed to teach kids games by playing games! PlaySport allows you to search for activities based on the equipment you have, the skills you want to teach, the complexity of the game or the space you have available. The English site now offers Instructional Videos on: Introduction to Games, Invasion Games, Net/Wall Games, Striking/Fielding Games, and Target games. (Published in 2008 by OPHEA (www.ophea.net) in partnership with CAHPERD, Brock University The Centre for Healthy Development through Sport and Physical Activity (http://www.fahs.brocku.ca/chdspa) and Right to Play).

School physical environment

cindyandrew — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:51:18 CDT

This page lists resources that relate to promoting physical activity through changes to the physical environment of the school or surrounding area. This includes changes to the school grounds, facilities, equipment and ensuring safe transportation to and from school as well as similar measures on school playgrounds.

Action Schools! BC is a best practices model that helps schools promote healthy living, including integrating physical activity throughout the day. Six action zones to help increase physical activity: the school environment; scheduled physical education; classroom action; family and community; extra-curricular and school spirit. The four target outcomes are healthy heart, bones, self and school. www.actionschoolsbc.ca

Everactive Schools program is currently working with many Alberta schools. Of this number, 131 schools have submitted Game Plans of strategies to increase health behaviours in their school community. The ministries of Alberta Community Development, Health and Wellness and Learning provide funding for this project.” http://www.everactive.org/ Schools Come Alive Project is coordinated by the Health and Physical Education Council of the Alberta’s Teachers’ Association and provides support, resources and workshops related to healthy living and physical education. http://www.schoolscomealive.org/
Living Outside the Box is an active living campaign from Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture. It provides an information website for kids, parents, teachers and coaches. www.liveoutsidethebox.ca Saskatchewan in motion Youth strategy targets youth aged 13 – 19 in a high school setting. The objectives are to improve youth’s ability to access a wide variety of physical activities that suit their interests and needs, improve their ability to support a physically active learning environment and improve their skills, confidence and knowledge to access community based physical activity opportunities. Saskatchewan in motion Children’s strategy targets children 6-12 years of age in the school setting and their home setting. . , www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca

The Ontario Safety Guidelines for Physical Education: All sections of the Safety Guidelines including; Curricular Programs, Intramural Clubs and Activities and Interschool Athletics, have undergone an entire review. The 2008 documents are now available to school boards who are subscribers to the Safety Services Package. Educators should check with their contact for Safety or H&PE within their board to find out how to obtain the latest version.

Contacts are listed on at http://www.ophea.net/safetycontacts.cfm.

Instructional programs

cindyandrew — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:17:19 CST

This page lists a variety of resources related to curriculum, instruction and teaching/learning about physical activity and related issues.

Curricula (descriptions of what should be taught):

Grade 9 Physical Education/Health Education Distance Learning Course For the first time, Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth have developed a distance learning course for grade 9 Physical Education/ Health Education (PE/HE). This combined physical education and health education course teaches concepts and skills for active healthy lifestyles and includes a physical activity component. Students plan and record their participation in physical activities of their choice. This course gives students the opportunity to learn more about themselves and enables them to make more informed decisions about healthy active living throughout their lives. See http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/physhlth/dl_grade9.html

Mandated Physical Activity

British Columbia

In addition to PE10, all secondary school students are required to complete a minimum of 80 hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity in order to meet the Core requirements of their mandatory Portfolio. These hours can be logged in a variety of ways: during class time (eg., PE11 / PE12), at school during extra-curricular activities (eg., intramurals), in the community (eg., competing in or refereeing team or individual sports) or with the family (eg., hiking, skiing).

Alberta
Requires 30 minutes of Daily Physical Activity (DPA) for all students in grades 1-9. http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/ipr/DailyPhysAct.asp

Saskatchwan
No data

Manitoba
No data

Ontario
Ontario’s Ministry of Education provided policy direction (PPM 138 – Daily Physical Activity in Elementary Schools, Grades 1-8) in October 2005 to school boards/authorities and elementary school principals requiring implementation of at least 20 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous Daily Physical Activity (DPA) each day during instruction time, in all elementary schools. All elementary schools are expected to reach this objective by the end of the 2005-06 school year. Funding for training, resources and implementation is $10.7 million. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/healthyschools.html http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/fre/teachers/healthyschools.html

Quebec
No data

New Brunswick
PA is not required.

Nova Scotia
No data

Prince Edward Island
Elementary 5%
Intermediate 4-6%

Newfoundland and Labrador
No data

Northwest Territories
No data

Nunavut
No data

Yukon
No data

Non-mandated Physical Activity British Columbia

In addition to a minimum of 80 hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity in order to meet the Core requirements of their mandatory Portfolio, they can earn additional marks for 80 additional hours of physical activity.

Action Schools! BC A best practices model that helps schools promote healthy living, including integrating physical activity throughout the day. Six action zones to help increase physical activity: the school environment; scheduled physical education; classroom action; family and community; extra-curricular and school spirit. The four target outcomes are healthy heart, bones, self and school. www.actionschoolsbc.ca

The Action Pages! A user-friendly resource to link teachers, youth coaches, and community instructors with the multitude of resources available across Canada to support healthy and active school communities organized by Active Living, Movement & Games, Personal, Social & cultural Responsibility, Healthy Eating, as well as Teacher Education, Websites, Support Organizations and Just BC. www.actionschoolsbc.ca

BC Health Promoting Schools Framework – Healthy Schools Promotes policy development and practice to encourage health in school environments, including increased physical activity. http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/health/welcome.htm

Education 2010 Promotes students being the best they can be physically and mentally through curriculum-based projects, media and learning resources. www.education2010.ca

The Active Communities Initiative Supporting communities to: enhance their capacity to develop and implement an Active Communities plan; increase local awareness of the benefits of regular physical activity; create additional opportunities for participation in recreation, sport and physical activity and strengthen community partnerships.

Programs for Active Communities include:

Move For Health Day
SummerActive
Everybody gets to play
High Five

Examples of other non governmental Physical Activity & Active Living Programs for children currently in BC:

Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well
Way To Go! School Program
Heartsmart Kids
Man In Motion Foundation
Passport To Healthy Living

Alberta

Everactive Schools A program currently working with many Alberta schools. Of this number, 131 schools have submitted Game Plans of strategies to increase health behaviours in their school community. The ministries of Alberta Community Development, Health and Wellness and Learning provide funding for this project.” http://www.everactive.org/

Schools Come Alive Project Coordinated by the Health and Physical Education Council of the Alberta’s Teachers’ Association and provides support, resources and workshops related to healthy living and physical education. http://www.schoolscomealive.org/

Living Outside the Box An active living campaign developed by Alberta Community Development. It provides an information website for kids, parents, teachers and coaches. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan in Motion Children’s Strategy Targets children 6-12 years of age in the school setting and their home setting. The objectives are to improve children’s ability to access a wide variety of physical activities, their ability to support a physically active lifestyle within their learning, living and play environments and improve their skills, confidence and knowledge to access community based physical activity opportunities. http:///www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca

Saskatchewan in Motion Youth Strategy Targets youth aged 13 – 19 in a high school setting. The objectives are to improve youth’s ability to access a wide variety of physical activities that suit their interests and needs, improve their ability to support a physically active learning environment and improve their skills, confidence and knowledge to access community based physical activity opportunities. www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca

Community School Based Physical Activity Program Guidelines
Developed in Saskatchewan by the Northern Diabetes Prevention Coalition (now the Northern Healthy Communities Partnership) in 2003, provides information and resources to schools to better understand physical inactivity and to provide tools to increase physical activity in the school setting. No website was found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

Northern Physical Activity Week (NPAW) Held yearly during the first week of May, it is open participation to organizations and communities in northern Saskatchewan. There is high participation rate from schools. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

SchoolPLUS Gives Saskatchewan's children and youth tools to be successful in school and in life and focuses on schools as centres of learning, support and community for all children, youth and their families. The role of the school has changed -- schools today have two primary functions: to educate children and youth -- through a responsive learning program that enhances student outcomes; and, to serve as centres for social, health, recreation, culture, justice and other services for children, youth and their families. http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/branches/policy_eval/school_plus/unit/idex.shtml

Healthier Places to Live, Work and Play: a Population Health Promotion Strategy for Saskatchewan A framework introduced by Saskatchewan Health in 2004. One of the four priority areas for action by regional health authorities is “Active Communities”.
The goals are:

to increase opportunities for regular, enjoyable physical activity in communities, schools and workplaces;
to reduce the economic, environmental, social and cultural barriers that limit participation in physical activity;
to create safer environments that encourage/support physical activity. http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/ic_phb_hlthbook.pdf

Manitoba

In Motion An “in motion” promotional program was launched in the fall of 2005 for all Manitobans to get active.

Healthy Schools in motion A strategy to promote non mandated time in schools. To become an in motion school as one part of the program, all kids must agree to do 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week, which can include walking to school and lunch-time activities. To date, 330 Schools have registered to become a Healthy School in motion. HS provided a teacher resource and activity bin to all registered schools.

Healthy Schools - One hundred dollar grants Healthy Schools provides “One hundred dollar” grants to schools to support initiatives that address the health issues of children and youth including physical activity initiatives. This initiative is a partnership between Manitoba Health/Healthy Living, Manitoba Education, Citizenship, and Youth, and Healthy Child Manitoba (which is a partnership of all departments connected to children).

Schools Physical Activity Coordinator A Schools Physical Activity Coordinator to support physical education initiatives in schools led by Manitoba PE Teacher Association and Agencies for School Health (ASH) is funded by Manitoba Health/Healthy Child and Manitoba Education.

Healthy Living Challenge A “game” that encourages families to adopt healthier lifestyles. It covers a range of topics areas including physical, nutritional, mental, and emotional health. The challenge consists of two components: an in-school kit for teachers and a take-home activity calendar for students and families.

I Love to Run Month Part of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures educational health promotion initiatives recommendations. The initiative promotes running but also encourages other moderate and vigorous physical activities. Resources have been developed for grade 5 and 6 teachers, students and their families. Students are encouraged to log their moderate and vigorous activities for the month of October and work toward an individual goal for that month. Upon completion of I Love to Run, students receive a certificate of participation signed by the Ministers of Healthy Living and Education, Citizenship and Youth acknowledging their participation.

Get Moving Manitoba An initiative of the PACM and the CBC to increase awareness of the importance of physical activity and assist in getting more Manitobans regularly active. The campaign kicked off with the introduction of a web site on December 4, 2004 (link through www.winnipeg.cbc.ca)

Ontario

An initiative, led by the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, addresses health issues facing Ontario’s children and youth by using a four phase process to address four primary chronic disease risk factors within four key areas. The Living Schools pilot was supported by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. http://www.livingschool.ca/Ophea/LivingSchool.ca/livingschoolinitiative.cfm

ACT NOW…”the best you can be!” A multi-risk factor school-based health risk prevention program for students in grades 4-8 that has been operating in 8 public and separate school boards in the Greater Toronto Area since 2002/03. It enlists Olympic Athletes, student, parents and a range of health professionals, leaders, teachers, to deliver and support the program throughout the school year. It is designed to produce knowledge, attitude and behaviour changes in the areas of healthy eating, physical activity, self esteem, substance use and tobacco use. The program has received funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care from 2002/03 – 2005/06. www.actnowprogram.com

Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives Report Made a number of school health recommendations in Ontario including ways to increase physical activity of children while in school as well as in the community and at home. No website found for this report at time preliminary research completed.

Community Use of Schools This program encourages increased use of schools by not-for-profit groups at reduced rates. Supported by the Ministry of Education. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/community/index.html Active and Safe

Routes to Schools Active & Safe Routes to School is a national program that encourages the use of active modes of transportation to and from school. Many fun and easy to use tools are provided for teachers, students, parents and community partners. Supported by the Ministry of Health Promotion. http://www.goforgreen.ca/asrts/home_e.html

Communities In Action Fund Eligible program applicants can receive CIA funding for non-capital projects focused on increasing physical activity in communities through planning, implementation, and/or development. Supported by the Ministry of Health Promotion http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/sportandrec/fund.asp

“Not Gonna Kill You” A campaign that speaks directly to young people aged 12-15 about the importance of healthy eating and active living. The campaign features an interactive website for youth seeking information on how to eat healthy and become and stay active. Supported by the Ministry of Health Promotion www.notgonnakillyou.ca

Pause to Play A web-guide for kids who want to be active, including inter-active tools. Supported by the Ministry of Health Promotion http://www.pausetoplay.ca/index.asp Power4Bones Targeted to help Grade 5 students learn about bone health, this program offers tools for teacher and students. Supported by the Ministry of Health Promotion. http://www.power4bones.com/

Active Schools A program for Kindergarten to Grade 8, designed to motivate and recognize school communities for getting up, moving and making the commitment to leading active, healthy lives. Supported by the Ministry of Health Promotion http://www.ophea.net/activeschools.cfm

Quebec

Wellness-Oriented School Program 2005-2006 in Quebec has been allocated $5 million in the 2005-2006 provincial budget to maintain the Wellness-Oriented School program in the coming school year. Educational institutions will be able to set up projects to encourage students in Elementary Cycle Three and Secondary Cycle One to adopt healthy lifestyle habits such as regular physical activity and a healthy diet. http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/lancement/ecole_forme_sante/index_a.asp

Kino-Québec …a government program in existence since 1978. It is managed by three partners: the Secrétariat au loisir et au sport of the Ministère des Affaires municipales, du Sport et du Loisir, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and the regional health and social services boards. Through educational and awareness activities, the production of informative documents and the establishment of incentive programs, Kino-Québec encourages its partners in these settings to offer physical and social activities that promote participation in safe physical activity. These may include physical education or related courses at school, a variety of services including outdoor activities, skateboarding or inline skating parks, measures that promote active transportation, etc. Publicity campaigns and contests will reinforce partners’ activities.” http://msss.gouv.qc.ca/en/sujets/santepub/physical_activity.html

New Brunswick

School Communities in Action A program is a partnership between the New Brunswick Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport and the Department of Education. Its goal is to increase physical activity levels of New Brunswick school-aged children and youth by helping schools adopt, implement, and maintain a variety of physical activity opportunities. It involves a family and community commitment, and encourages links with partners to increase and enhance the physical activities offered. The program was implemented in all schools in New Brunswick from grades K-12 in September 2003. http://www.gnb.ca/0055/healthy-nb-en_sante/index-e.asp

Active Communities Grant Program Is an initiative of the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport which encourages and supports physically active, healthy lifestyles for New Brunswickers. Funding is provided for approved applicants who increase awareness of the importance of daily physical activity and/or provide new or enhanced opportunities for physical activity participation at the local, regional or provincial level. http://www.gnb.ca/0131/acgp-e.asp

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Coalition of NB (HEPAC) Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Coalition is a network of community and government organizations and individuals who share a common vision of creating an environment in New Brunswick that supports healthy eating and physical activity and are committed to collaborative action.

Nova Scotia

Active Kids, Healthy Kids Funds schools in Nova Scotia that promote healthy living, including physical activity. (Healthy Promoting Schools program) http://www.gov.ns.ca/ohp/physicalActivity/activeKidsHealthyKids.asp

Prince Edward Island

Strategy for Healthy Living Discusses ways to increase physical activity for people in P.E.I., in general. http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=1001897

Provincial Physical Activity Strategy Identifies a number of school specific recommendations that are targeted at increasing physical activity in the school setting. www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/CCA_PhysicalAct.pdf

Active Healthy School Communities Initiative Encourages schools and communities in P.E.I. to work together to promote and support active, healthy lifestyles. The partners include: Departments of Education, Community and Cultural Affairs, and Health are collaborating on the development of the Active Healthy School Community Program. A number of Alliances (P.E.I. Active Living Alliance, Healthy Eating Alliance, Tobacco Reduction Alliance) are also on-board as partners. http://www.gov.pe.ca/educ/index.php3?number=75664

PEI Active Living Alliance Focuses on increasing physical activity through promotion and education in schools, homes, communities and workplaces. ALA has developed and piloted grade specific physical activity activities over the past year including: Elementary Stepping Out, Healthy Homerooms, An Island Outdoor Adventure, as well as a video Eat Right Stay Fit which links healthy eating and physical activity for children in grades 1-3. http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=48104

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Coalition for Active Living A coalition of 22 major stakeholders, requested by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation to address inactivity levels in Newfoundland and Labrador. The coalition is comprised of government, not-for-profit and community groups. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

Newfoundland and Labrador also has some pilot physical activity programs in some school districts. Certain schools choose to participate in these programs but they are not mandatory from either the province or the district. These physical activity programs provide 20 minutes of physical activity (not physical education) to participating classes on days that they do not have physical education. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

Northwest Territories

Healthy Choices Framework Includes Physical Activity as one of six areas of emphasis, is under development in the Northwest Territories, and the “Get Active” campaign one initiative within this area. www.getactivenwt.ca www.maca.gov.nt.ca

Yukon

Active Yukon Schools A program based on the Alberta EverActive program whereby participating schools commit to the integration of daily physical activity and healthy living.” www.rpay.org

Nunavut

Active Living Strategy Currently being developed. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed. Active Healthy Kids Canada has a number of initiatives including “Active Healthy Kids Day”: www.activehealthykids.ca

National Initiatives

activ8 A national, school-based, physical activity challenge program that helps children and youth of all abilities develop their fitness and skill levels. It is designed to motivate students to be physically active, recognize each student’s personal development, and celebrate students’ individual achievements. It is available in French and English. http://www.activehealthykids.ca/Ophea/ActiveHealthyKids_v2/programs_activ8.cfm

Active School Communities An umbrella organization of provincial active school initiatives across Canada. The organization promotes an active school community, one in which all citizens including teachers, students, parents, administrators and community leaders work together to create physical and social environments, which support active, healthy lifestyles for school aged children. http://www.actionschoolsbc.ca/Content/Across%20Canada.asp

National Roundtable on Active School Communities Brought together leaders from health, education, physical activity, recreation, and sport organizations (both government and non-government). Delegates, including eight provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for physical activity, discussed ways to address unacceptably high levels of physical inactivity among Canada’s children and youth. The Roundtable resulted in a number of recommendations and action items. http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/Education/Resources/C&Y/roundtable_on_active_sch ool_comm.htm

Active & Safe Routes to School A national program encouraging the use of active modes of transportation to and from school. http://www.goforgreen.ca/asrts/home_e.html

Canada Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth Initiated by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology to encourage an increase in physical activity levels in children and youth. www.paguide.com

Voices and Choices: Planning for School Health A program of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Based on the principle that health is a prerequisite for learning. Using a democratic process, Voices and Choices actively involves students in their school community, enabling them to have a greater influence over their health and school situation, and improve both their health and the health of their school environment. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/vc-ss/bg_e.html

SummerActiv A “national initiative that encourages Canadians to improve their health through regular physical activity, healthy eating, living a tobacco-free lifestyle, and participating in sport activities. This year, SummerActive runs from May 12 to June 21, 2006.” www.summeractive.org

Heart Healthy Kids Physical Activity Handbook A program created by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada to help elementary teachers incorporate physical activity into their daily classroom schedule. http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=33&ArticleID=4113&Src=living&From =SubCategory

Jump Rope for Heart A Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada program that is “geared to students aged 4 to 10. It’s goal is to gets kids moving and teach them that an active heart s a healthy heart. With an emphasis on fun and games, kid can take to the playground when the program is done.” The program also raises funds for research. http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=1613&ContentID=15369&ContentTypeI D=1

Jumping into the Curriculum A program developed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada that “provides elementary teachers with fun-filled jump rope activities that assist in teaching language, math, science, the arts and social studies concepts while nurturing students‘ Multiple Intelligences.” http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=33&ArticleID=1579&Src=living&From =SubCategory

CAPHERD Quality Daily Physical Education Program (QDPE) Launched by CAPHERD in 1988 as a way to define a program that is well-planned, taught by qualified and enthusiastic professionals, and offers a variety of learning opportunities to all students on a daily basis throughout the entire school year. It includes daily curricular instruction for all students (K-12), intramural recreation activities and school inter-scholastic sport programs. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/physicaleducation/about_qdpe.cfm

CAHPERD Vibrant FACES An active, healthy lifestyle resource by CAHPERD for girls in grades 7 & 8. This unique program helps young women overcome perceived barriers to participating in physical activity and sport, such as incompetence, low self-esteem, poor body image, and lack of motivation. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/pgschools/index.cfm

CAHPERD Quality School Health (QSH) CAHPERD’s Quality School Health (QSH) program is a comprehensive approach to school health that includes a quality health curriculum, as well as programs, activities and interventions that ensure a healthy school environment. QSH involves participation and collaboration from the whole school community, including students, parents, school staff and community partners, and focuses on the health issues that are specific to the needs and concerns of each school community. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/health/about_qsh.cfm

CAHPERD Quality School Intramural Programs CAHPERD’s Quality School Intramural Recreation (QSIR) program is designed to get children and youth excited about participating in physical activity! QSIR programs and initiatives help to enhance intramural and recreation programs in schools by providing resources and leadership skill development for students and teachers to lead intramural and recreation programs. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/intramurals/about_qsir.cfm

CAHPERD Quality Dance Programs CAHPERD believes a quality physical education program is not a balanced program unless elements of dance are included as integral parts of the curriculum. Because quality educational dance is a forum for collaboration between teachers and students through all learning domains, it is a site for deep learning for everyone. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/dance/about_dance.cfm

CAHPERD National School Challenges CAHPERD's National School Challenges provide schools and added opportunity to teach about the need of physical activity in a fun way and an opportunity to collaborate with schools around the country. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/conferences/challenges.cfm

The Canadian Medical Association’ Office for Public Health Supports all initiatives that will encourage healthy eating and physical activity in Canadians, including recommending that schools provide a minimum of 30 minutes daily physical education; School boards ban the sale of junk food in schools. Source: CMA Policy Summary on Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease (2003)

Sport-related Instructional Programs

British Columbia

The B.C. Ministry of Education In consultation with the Sport Secretariat, Ministry of Tourism Sport and the Arts, have expanded external sport credentials that qualify for the Graduation Program. In addition to current Athlete, Coach and Official 11 and 12 courses, students are now able to receive credits for sport credentials at the Grade 10 level for athlete and official. In addition, expansion of sport course programs, such as scuba diving (PADI), and Horse Council English and western rider programs have qualified for inclusion in the occupational and industrial section of the external credentials program. http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/physicalactivity/

BC SCHOOL SPORTS Encourages student participation in extra-curricular athletics, assists schools in the development and delivery of their programs and provides governance for interschool competition. www.bcschoolsports.ca

BC Premier’s Sport Awards Program Provides sports skill development resources for teachers, coaches and instructors. http://www.psap.jwsporta.ca/

Student Athlete Achievement Program – Schools of Choice A joint initiative of PacificSport and 2010 Legacies Now Society. The project facilitates the development of programs to allow students to excel in both academics and athletics by more flexible programming in schools, sport academies and sport schools.” http://www.pacificsport.com/Content/PACIFICSPORTGRP/SAAProject/SaaINDEX.asp

SportFit A fun, easy online sport education and fitness motivation program that promotes healthy, active lifestyles by matching students’ personal preferences and physical attributes with the sports that they have a natural affinity towards. As a scaleable internet-based program for children and youth, SportFit helps students to discover where their interests and skills may lead them – to an ice arena, mountain top, outdoor field or swimming pool! With the ability to measure against norms from their age group, SportFit is also a great motivational tool to help improve fitness levels of children and youth across Canada. The program can be utilized for all grades K – 12, allows teachers and schools to do bench marking for physical activity and features 78 sports. http://www.sportfitcanada.com

Federal/Provincial Bi-lateral Funding Agreements Funding from the federal/provincial governments for a three year term is distributed to Provincial Sport Organizations, Multisport Organizations and one community organization targeting inner-city children and youth, aboriginal youth, seniors and persons with a disability.

Explorations Summer Camps A Ministry of Education initiative with 2010 Legacies Now, are designed to provide quality summer experiences for students in kindergarten through grade 7 that emphasize sport, fitness and foundation movement as well as quality arts instruction.

Ministry of Tourism, Sport & the Arts – Sport and Recreation Branch The Sport and Recreation Branch develops, implements and partners in strategies to address systemic issues and opportunities for sport and physical activity. These strategies focus on the settings in which sport and physical activity occur – communities, schools, homes, workplaces and organized sport. The Branch develops, implements and advises on public policy that guides government decision-making in respect to sport and physical activity. It also develops and maintains inter- and intra-government partnerships to ensure that B.C.’s sport interests are well-represented in health, social and economic activities. http://www.tsa.gov.bc.ca/sport/

Alberta

Alberta Schools Athletic Association The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association is a voluntary, non profit organization that has been established to coordinate a program of worthwhile athletic activities for the young people of Alberta in an educational setting. The membership, currently 356 high schools, ultimately determines the policy of the Association through representation on the provincial Board of Governors. http://www.asaa.ca/pages/news.php3

Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife Foundation (ASRPWF) The Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife Foundation (the ASRPWF) provides a variety of programs to enhance activity, improve lifestyles, foster enjoyment of the outdoors, and protect nature. We are supporting legacies for Alberta communities. http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/asrpwf/index.asp

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) The SHSAA exists to foster positive opportunities for students through interschool athletics and provides the administrative format for all high school sport activities. http://www.shsaa.ca/pages/news.php3

Sask Sport Inc. Sask Sport Inc. is a non-profit federation of provincial sport and service organizations working with over 12,000 sport, culture, recreation and community groups throughout the province. It strives to improve the well being of Saskatchewan residents by ensuring that all people can participate in sport through grassroots to high performance programs. Sask Sport Inc. also administers the Saskatchewan Lotteries program. Sask Sport Inc. members coordinate sporting activities and distribute funds to member clubs, teams and athletes in communities throughout the province. These organizations provide professional guidance, ensure safety, provide insurance, set rules, raise money, acquire sponsorships and train athletes, coaches and officials. http://www.sasksport.sk.ca

Manitoba

Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association (MHSAA) The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association believes in the goals of education and that participation in sport plays an integral role in the total education of the student. The Association encourages the high school student to participate in activities that will assist in the realization of physical, social, and emotional values. The mission is to promote the benefits of participation in high school sport by providing athletic and educational opportunities that will allow the athlete to reach her/his full potential. http://www.mhsaa.mb.ca/

Sport Manitoba Sport Manitoba is the home of amateur sport in the Province of Manitoba. The key leadership and funding body for amateur sport, Sport Manitoba is your gateway to programs and services and over 100 partner organizations involved in the development and promotion of amateur sport in Manitoba. Sport Manitoba is at the center of it all, facilitating greater participation and achievement of excellence by Manitobans throughout the entire continuum of sport from grassroots and recreational levels to the highest level of athletic performance. Programs and initiatives include but are not limited to: Kidsport, Women in Sport, and Long Term Athlete Development http://www.sportmanitoba.ca/

Ontario

Active 2010 The Province of Ontario’s strategy to build stronger communities, promote participation in sport and physical activity, develop a strong sport system, and build a dedicated volunteer base through sport. It is sponsored by Ministry of Health Promotion, Sport and Recreation Branch. www.active2010.ca

Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations OFSAA is an organization comprised of student-athletes, teacher-coaches, teachers, principals, and sport administrators all committed to the philosophy of Education through School Sport. Their primary responsibility is to work with volunteer teacher-coaches to provide top-quality Provincial Championships for Ontario's student-athletes, but we also see an important role for the Federation in dealing with issues that affect students, coaches, schools and communities across Ontario, such as drug free sport, equity, fair play, and safe schools. http://www.ofsaa.on.ca/site/index.cfm?DSP=Chapter&ID=1

Ministry of Health Promotion – Sport and Recreation The ministry encourages involvement in sport, recreation and physical activity for the health, social, and economic benefit of Ontarians and the communities in which they live. Through its support of the sport and recreation sectors at the provincial and local level, the ministry helps meet the government's priorities in health, education, job creation and economic growth and promotion of voluntarism. The ministry contributes to a strong provincial sport system and the development of athletic achievement in Ontario. It fosters the involvement of children and youth in sport and recreation, recognizing their contribution to healthy child development and positive youth development. http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/sportandrec/default.asp

Quebec

La Fédération québécoise du sport édudiant (FQSE) http://www.fqse.qc.ca/ Sports-Quebec Sports-Québec, par son membership, assure la synergie de ses membres et de ses partenaires du système sportif québécois et du système sportif canadien pour favoriser le développement et l'épanouissement de l'athlète et la promotion de la pratique sportive. http://www.sportsquebec.com/sq/index_f.aspx

New Brunswick

Go New Brunswick – Taking Action through Sport Bilateral Agreement Signed in 2006, is a 3-year Bilateral on Sport Participation with Sport Canada that will focus on sport participation for children and youth. The agreement provides $240,000 annually from each partner for a total of more than $1.4M over three years. It will provide funding to support programs and initiatives that promote sport participation programs for children and youth. http://www.gnb.ca/0131/gonb-e.asp

New Brunswick Interschool Athletic Association (NBIAA) The New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of high school principals or designates, who through school coaches, operate athletic teams in various activities. The teams consist of high school students who play in New Brunswick schools using facilities and equipment that are part of the school. http://www.nbiaa.org/pages/news.php

Wellness Culture and Sport - Sport, Recreation and Active Living Branch The mandate of Sport, Recreation and Active Living is to provide leadership and resources to the SRAL community to increase opportunities for physical activity and the pursuit of excellence. http://www.gnb.ca/0131/sport_rec-e.asp

Nova Scotia

Sport animators liaison between schools and communities in Nova Scotia. There is one sport animator per participating school board. It is sponsored by Sport Canada, Education and School Boards and led by Health Promotion.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/ohp/index.html

Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation (NSSAF) Encouraging a friendly and harmonious relationship among secondary schools of Nova Scotia through the promotion of athletic activities deemed advisable and looked upon as promoting and contributing to the generally accepted objectives of secondary education. http://nssaf.ednet.ns.ca/

Department of Health Promotion and Protection – Sport Development http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/physicalActivity/sportDevelopment.asp

Prince Edward Island

PEI Sports Strategy A 5-year strategy was developed in 2002 and is now being implemented. No website found for this strategy at time preliminary research completed.

Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association (PEISAA) Promotes competition in amateur athletics among all schools of the Province in harmony with the goals of education as delineated by the School Boards and the Department of Education. http://www.edu.pe.ca/peisaa/

PEI Community and Cultural Affairs – Department of Sport and Recreation Responsible for encouraging Islanders to be active through sport, recreation and other physical activity pursuits. This mandate is achieved through a wide variety of partnerships with sport, recreation and active living organizations throughout the province. The division provides grants and consultation services to a number of provincial, regional and community groups. As well, the division relates to a variety of provincial and federal government departments, national and interprovincial organizations both government and non-government.

A Bilateral Agreement exists between the P.E.I. School Athletic Association and the P.E.I. Dept of Community and Cultural Affairs - Division of Sport and Recreation. The bilateral is a 3 year program designed to provide funding and resources to schools to enable the schools to increase the amount of sport being played on the playground during school time. It has an outdoor student leadership component as well as an intramural component. Equipment is to be purchased to increase the variety of sports offered for students in a recreational setting. http://www.gov.pe.ca/commcul/sar-info/index.php3

Newfoundland and Labrador

School Sport Newfoundland and Labrador (SSNL) http://www.schoolsportsnl.ca/index.php

Northwest Territories

Sport North Federation Responsible for the overall development of sport in the Northwest Territories, including athlete development, coaching, and competitive opportunities. http://www.sportnorth.com/Content/About%20Us/00About%20Us.asp?langid=1

Nunavut
No data found

Yukon

Community Development – Sport and Recreation Sport & Recreation is the unit within the Community Development Branch responsible for the management of a wide variety of programs and services aimed at enhancing opportunities for sport, recreation and active living in the Yukon. The Sport & Recreation Unit works with organizations, groups, government departments, and the Volunteer Bureau in the areas of sport, recreation, health, education, justice and social services to promote a vibrant and healthy Yukon. http://www.community.gov.yk.ca/sportrec/index.html

National Initiatives

Canadian School Sport Federation The CSSF recognizes that “interscholastic sport” has been an integral part of the school life in Canada for nearly a century. As we head into the new millennium, it is vital that the CSSF continue to advocate on behalf of its member provinces so that “interscholastic sport” has a strong federal voice that speaks on its behalf on issues of national importance. Education in Canada is not only going through “restructuring”; it is also undergoing some dynamic reforms, which affect every aspect of education including “all aspects of extra-curricular activities”. http://www.schoolsport.ca/

Sport Canada Sport Canada is a branch of the International and Intergovernmental Affairs and Sport Sector within the federal Department of Canadian Heritage. The Department is dedicated to valuing and strengthening the Canada experience. Sport Canada has three divisions: Sport Programs, Sport Policy, and Major Games and Hosting. Sport Canada supports the achievement of high performance excellence and the development of the Canadian sport system to strengthen the unique contribution that sport makes to Canadian identity, culture and society. http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/sc/index_e.cfm

International Initiatives

Active Australia Schools Network A national network of schools with a focus on sport. It is representative of schools committed to developing, supporting and promoting sport which is fun, safe, challenging, rewarding, well managed and focused on learning and linked to the community. http://www.ausport.gov.au/domains/activeoverview.asp

Active Schools in England A national accreditation system that recognize a school's commitment to providing a quality program of physical education and school sport. Active Schools provide a range of integrated services and products specifically designed to help schools enhance their provision and achieve the awards. http://archive.sportenglandpublications.org.uk/active_schools/pages/intro.htm

Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) and the Ministry of Education Recently launched a pilot scheme to help increase physical activity in young people. The pilot has three aims:

Increase the amount of physical activity that young people are doing;
Increase the confidence and capability of teachers to deliver the Health and Physical Education curriculum;
Increase the quality of physical experience and the number of opportunities. http://www.sparc.org.nz/

Monitoring and Surveillance

British Columbia
No data

Alberta
No data

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan in motion Regular reporting to SK Culture, Youth and Recreation on outcomes. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

School PLUS Indicators Framework Has been developed to assist in monitoring progress toward the goals of SchoolPLUS. The framework will monitor critical outcomes of student learning and well-being at the provincial and local levels. It will assist in directing future research and evaluations to advance School PLUS. The inaugural report will be published in 2006.” No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

Saskatchewan Health Each health region must submit an annual plan for action to Saskatchewan Health. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

Manitoba

Nutrition in Schools Survey Questions related to instructional PE/HE time are part of the nutrition in schools survey to collect baseline data. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

A Physical Activity Summit Organized by Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba (PACM) was held April 27/28 for all stakeholders to examine success stories of programs and joint use agreements that promote physical activity and sport participation. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

Ontario
No data

Quebec
No data

New Brunswick

School Wellness Profiles

In July 2006, following consultations and support from Department of Education, the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport entered into a partnership with UNB and UdeM to develop and implement a school based survey of students in grade 6-12 (2006-07 school year) on each of the 4 pillars (physical activity, healthy eating, mental fitness/resilience and tobacco use). This effort builds on administration of Health Canada’s 2006 Youth Smoking Survey.
A key to enhance wellness is to support further school-community mobilization through knowledge transfer (wellness profile) and to provide resources to support wellness initiatives. This school wellness surveillance initiative will include provision of feedback reports (Wellness Profile) to participating schools and districts within current school year.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotiais currently conducting research related to physical activity and healthy eating of kids in grades 3, 7 and 11. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

Towards Physical Activity for Children and Youth Monitors change and the impact of programs and services. Several government departments and four Nova Scotia universities worked together to measure physical activity levels of approximately 2,500 school aged children in Nova Scotia in the fall of 2001. http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:jqyqrD3kfygJ:www.lin.ca/resource/html/sp0009.pd f+%22physical+education%22+AND+surveillance+AND+youth+AND+canada&hl=en& ct=clnk&cd=3

Prince Edward Island
No data

Northwest Territories

The NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners Responsible for the overall monitoring and surveillance of the public sport and recreation system, and is accountable to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. In meeting this responsibility, the Council establishes and maintains relationships with Government Departments and non-government organizations with an interest in physical activity. No website found for this program at time preliminary research completed.

Nunavut
No data

Yukon
No data

National Initiatives

Physical Activity Monitor (PAM) Tracks activity levels of Canadians. http://www.cflri.ca/cflri/pa/surveys/2002survey/2002survey.html

National Population Health Survey/Canadian Community Health Survey Provides estimates of health determinants, health status and health system utilization for 136 health regions across the country, including levels of physical activity. http://www.statcan.ca/english/concepts/health/cchsinfo.htm The

Physical Activity Benchmarks Program A “joint venture of the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, Fitness/Active Living Unit of Health Canada, and the Interprovincial Sport and Recreation Council.” http://www.cflri.ca/cflri/research/benchmarks.html

Canada’s Study on Physical Activity Levels Among Youth Designed “to collect comprehensive and accurate information on the physical activity levels of Canadians via pedometers. In 2005, the study will collect data from children and youth aged 5-19.” http://www.cflri.ca/cflri/faq/survey_faq.html

Active Healthy Kids Canada Physical Activity Report Card for Children and Youth “…a research-based communications piece designed to provide insight into Canada’s “state of the nation” each year on how, as a country, we are being responsible in providing physical activity opportunities for children and youth.” The first Report Card was completed in 2005. The next Report Card will be released May 25, 2006. http://www.activehealthykids.ca/Ophea/ActiveHealthyKids_v2/programs_reportcard.cfm

CAHPERD Quality Daily Physical Education Recognition Award Program (RAP) CAHPERD’s QDPE Recognition and Reward Program identifies, recognizes and encourages excellence in school physical education programs. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/rap/about_rap.cfm

CAHPERD Awards CAHPERD annually presents a variety of awards to recognize individuals in the field of physical and health education, and related disciplines. These awards are designed to acknowledge the efforts and contributions of individuals at various stages in their professional careers. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/awards/about_awards.cfm

CAHPERD Physical Education Program Assessment Tool Developed to provide schools with a means to inventory and assess their physical education programs and to offer strategies for ongoing improvement. Offers user support to school leaders to assist them in assessing their programs and setting goals for change. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/physicaleducation/documents/PEAssesTool.pdf

CAHPERD Quality School Health (QSH) Checklist and School Support Tools A tool that includes 12 guiding principles and directives to support schools in establishing healthy school communities and offers research and best practices related to effective school health programs currently being delivered. http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/health/qsh_checklist.cfm

CAHPERD Health Education, Assessment and Reward Tools (H.E.A.R.T.) A practical guide provides tools for both teachers and students to help them track their healthy living and physical activity behaviours, and reward themselves for progress and achieved goals. For teachers, this resource provides useful information on the health benefits of regular vigorous physical activity, and suggests appropriate activities that can be incorporated into the daily lives of children. H.E.A.R.T. has been developed for children in grades 1–6 and is designed to educate, assess and reward physical activity and healthy habits being integrated into children’s lives. The evidence-based, reproducible and easily-administered tools available in H.E.A.R.T. are ideal for classroom teachers or parents.

School-based/linked physical activity services

cindyandrew — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:32:08 CST

This page lists resources on the school-based and school-linked delivery of sports, recreation and services related to physical activity.

From the Regional Niagara Health Department: ‘Pause to Play’ Family Challenge during the months of February to May. The goal of this campaign is to challenge children and their families to spend less time in front of their screens (ex. TV, video games and the Internet) and more time being physically active together as a family. Find out more at: http://www.regional.niagara.on.ca/living/health_wellness/healthyschools/.

Do More, Watch Less! is a toolkit for after school programs and organizations serving youth between the ages 10 and 14. This tool provides step-by-step guidance on incorporateing more screen-free activities into children's lives while reducing the time they spend watching TV, surfing the Internet and playing video games. A copy of the toolkit can be downloaded (PDF) or free hard copies can be ordered.

Keywords: screen time, toolkits, television, youth, children

Consideration of System/Organization Characteristics

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:41:47 CST

This page lists resources and examples of how system, organizational and professional characteristics (such as loosely-coupled control, open to external influences and bureaucratic structures) can be considered strategically when implementing school physical actiivty programs.

Alignment with School Mandate, Constraints

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:40:05 CST

This page lists resources and examples of how physical activity promotion can be aligned with the educational mandate (educational achievement-school effectiveness) of the school.

Building System, Agency, School, Professional Capacity

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:37:58 CST

This page lists planning, assessment and educational resources related to building system, agency and professional capacity to promote physical activity through schools. These different agency or organizational capacities can be built in eight areas:

1. Coordinated policy and leadership

2. Formal and informal mechanisms for cooperation/coordination

3. Staffing & infrastructure to support cooperation

4. Ongoing workforce development

5. Strategic management of issues and trends

6. Organized knowledge transfer & exchange

7. Regular monitoring and reporting

8. Explicit planning for sustainability

School social environment

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:33:54 CST

This page lists resources and programs that can influence the social environment in schools to promote physical activty. This can be done through a variety of peer, parent, whole school and community programs, campaigns and projects.

School physical activity policies

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:29:55 CST

This page lists resources related to the development and implementation of school and agency policies on physical activity and related issues

Comprehensive Approaches to School Physical Activity

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:28:43 CST

This page lists resources that explain how comprehenive approaches to promoting physical activity and education through schools can be done. This includes linking physical activity to other issues such as mental health, youth development, gender, disability, poverty and geographical isolation, by expliciting using multi-level (ministry, schoolboard/agency, school/neighbourhood) strategies within education, sports, recreation and health systems. It also includes a comprehensive approach to physical activity that includes active living, recreation, sports, dance and other behaviours.

Coordinated school physical activity programs

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:24:44 CST

This page lists resources that promote the coordination of policies, programs and services in school-based and school-linked promotion of physical activity and physical education that includes five elments of a coordinated approach; policy, instruction, health services, social support and physical environment.

Prevalence, nature of this health problem

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:22:46 CST

This page lists resources, research and reports on the prevalence, nature and implications of physical activity and inactivity among children and youth.

About this wiki

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:20:12 CST

This wiki is being developed and maintained by a number of organizations, local agencies and individuals that are concerned with promoting physical activity through and with schools.

The wiki has been started by the Canadian Association for School Health as part of its efforts to maintain the Canadian School Health Knowledge Network. For more information, go to www.safehealthyschools.org

If you would like to add content to these pages, make or respond to comments, upload documents or create links to other web-based materials, please do so.

If you would like to participate more by joining the Community of Practice that relates to this wiki (that includes the planning of webinars and an annual symposium), please click on the link provided on the home page.

This wiki attempts to capture information related to national and provincial and territorial activities in the following key areas:

Physical Education (Note – in some situations health curriculum has been included, although this is primarily when total time allocated, or delivery, is integrated with PE delivery)
Mandated Physical Activity
Non-mandated Physical Activity
Sport
Monitoring and Surveillance

Although not the focus of this scan, a few international examples have also been provided. This environmental scan is a work in progress that overviews the relevant past, current and planned activities that the provincial, territorial and federal governments as well as national and PT non-governmental organizations and agencies are undertaking.

The information was collected primarily from a Web-based search, existing relevant sources of data (e.g. other environmental scans that have been done by different jurisdictions) and through a review process involving provincial, territorial and federal government representatives for education, health/health promotion and sport.

A special thank you to those who have contributed to this scan.