Blogs

A physical education teacher with long hair tied back in a ponytail crouches in front of a group of students, gesturing to a clipboard in their hands. The students play close attention.

Safety Mindedness Helps to…

Being safety minded focuses on being proactive, aware, and intentional about minimising risks related to student participation in physical activity. Establishing and maintaining a safe learning...
In a gymnasium, a diverse group of students wearing matching uniforms cluster around a teacher for instruction. The students display a range of gender presentations, skin tones, and hair textures. One of the students uses a wheelchair and is being pushed by one of their peers to join the rest of the group.

New Sample Lesson Plans: Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy in Health and Physical Education

Note: Portions of this blog first appeared in an earlier Ophea blog, “ Introducing Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy in Health and Physical Education ”, published on February 13 th , 2024...
A physical education educator leads an exercise session with five children, who mimic her movements, in a school gymnasium. They all have their hands on their shoulders.

Starting the Year Off with Safe, Inclusive, and Fun Physical Activities

The school environment offers a wide range of opportunities for students to be physically active. Implementing meaningful opportunities for students to be physically active can influence a student’s...
Five smiling students sit clustered together on the floor of a school gymnasium, one holding a basketball. They are dressed in athletic clothes.

Healthy Schools Certification: Everything you need to know for 2024/2025!

For years, school communities across Ontario (and, with our national expansion occurring in 2022, across Canada!) have participated in Healthy Schools Certification (HSC). The program’s goal? To...
Four individuals sit clustered on a sofa watching and enthusiastically cheering on a sporting event on the television. The three Black people sitting in front of the couch clutch a Canadian flag, and everyone is wearing matching red and white.

Summer Reflections and Preparing for the School Year Ahead

Just like that, it’s August already! Whether you’ve been enjoying summer getaways or soaking up the sun a little closer to home, we hope you’ve been able to dedicate time towards filling your cup in...
The graphic recording entitled “Changing the Game through School Sport” aims to capture primary themes and concepts shared during a day of guided discussions and interactive sessions facilitated in partnership between Ophea and MLSE Launchpad. The entire graphic is brightly coloured, with vignettes of youth performing a variety of sports, games, and movements. The youth depicted show a diverse range of skin colours, hair textures, gender expressions, cultural identities, and abilities.

Re-Imagining the Purpose of School Sport

On March 1, 2024, MLSE LaunchPad and Ophea brought together youth, community leaders, and system-level decision makers for a collaborative session to re-imagine the purpose of school sport as a...
Lara Paterson, a white woman with blond hair and Ophea's 2023-2024 Award of Distinction recipient stands with a group of people including Chris Markham, Ophea Executive Director & CEO, outside the Limestone District School Board Education Centre.

Lara Paterson, Physical Activity Specialist, School Health

Ophea’s Sector Spotlight aims to illuminate the bright spots within the education sector through recognizing the critical work being done by community members and value-aligned organizations, and its...
Jay Williams, a Black man with short dark hair wearing dark clothes and a silver chain, smiles warmly at the camera.

Jay Williams, 2023/2024 Ophea Award for Outstanding Contribution Recipient (Posthumous)

The Ophea Award for Outstanding Contribution recognizes an individual, group, or organization for their exemplary contribution to the lives of children and youth in the areas of inclusive health and...
Lara Paterson, a white woman with blond hair and Ophea's 2023-2024 Award of Distinction recipient stands smiling beside Ophea Executive Director Chris Markham, a white man with glasses and brown hair. They stand in front of the Education Centre at the Limestone District School Board.

Lara Paterson, 2023/2024 Ophea Award of Distinction Recipient

The Ophea Award of Distinction is presented to one individual who is a leader in the meaningful advancement of inclusive healthy, active living opportunities for children and youth in Ontario school...
Six adult individuals are standing together in front of banners for Ophea and APPLE Schools.

APPLE Schools and Ophea Join Forces for Healthier School Communities

Big things are coming! APPLE Schools and Ophea are all about fostering healthy, vibrant school communities where students can thrive. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration...