Physical Activity Resources

Follow the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum

• Grades 1-8
• Grades 9-12
• Incorporate a minimum of 20 minutes of Daily Physical Activity (DPA) at school every day for grades 1 through 8.
• Review the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth
• Access online Health and Physical Education resources and training from Ophea such as lesson plans, student templates, and assessment tools, or PHE Canada resources such as Physical Education Activities or their Fundamental Movement Skills Series
• Utilize the Active for Life lesson plan builder to improve fundamental movement skills.
• 2024 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Read the full report.

Active and Sustainable School Travel

• As an educator, you can incorporate ASST into your daily curriculum in health and physical education, social sciences, or geography classes. Topics and activity suggestions are available in Green Communities Canada’s Ideas Lab.
• How does ASST affect air quality? Learn more from Ontario Active School Travel
• Want to act on climate change? Connect with Green Venture’s Air Care for elementary grades

• Learn about Quality Physical Education (QPE).  As a school, try to incorporate as many of the components of a QPE program in your school.
• Create a school policy to ensure that physical activity is never used or taken away as a punishment; instead, consider using it as a reward (such as an extra recess or more DPA).
• Develop a school travel plan, which focuses on school travel route analysis to improve the students’ daily journey to and from school.
• Review the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play and have your school sign on as a supporter of the position statement
• Be an active role model by walking or biking to school, being active during lunch, recesses, or breaks.
• Engage in regular physical activity to role model using it as a strategy to help manage stress and improve mental health well-being. Follow the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults.

Active and Sustainable School Travel

• Parent and Teachers, be an active role model by walking, rolling, carpooling, or taking public transit to work or school. For more information about active and sustainable travel to work visit Smart Commute.

• Ask students for their opinions on ways to get students and staff more active at school.
• Assist students in making positive changes to their school physical activity environments and/or policies by applying to the Healthy Schools Certification Program.
• Have students identify free/low cost physical activity opportunities around the school and where they live including parks, trails, and recreation facilities.
• Access peer-led recess program resources for interested students: PHE Canada endorsed Recess Project Changemaker’s Guide, Playground Activity Leaders in School (PALs)* (French resources also available), Playocracy LEAD Recess, Recess Guardians

*The PALS program resources were created and approved for use only within Ontario

Active and Sustainable School Travel

• Hamilton celebrates Active and Sustainable travel throughout the school year. Consider joining in the festivities and your school could win a $200 gift card.
• Key Dates:
  • September – Back to School and Smart Commute Month
  • October – Walktober
    • Walk and Roll Day, October 2, 2024.
  • February 5, 2025 – Winter Walk Day
  • April 2024 – Spring into Spring
    • Walk and Roll Day, April 2, 2025.
  • May 26 to 30, 2025 – Bike to School Week
  • June – Bike Month
• More Information: ActiveSchoolTravelHamilton.ca or email [email protected].
• Do you need a project for your HAT team? Reach out to your school nurse.
• Student-led initiatives and content can help connect students to ASST projects. Download the Active & Sustainable School Travel Messaging Toolkit(PDF, 695.87 KB) to help get your project started

• Provide access to loose equipment (traditional and natural/recycled parts), school yard modifications such as playground markings and walking tracks at recess, breaks, and before and after school.
• Add naturalized playground elements, where feasible.
• Reduce playground density (number of students out at one time) by utilizing a larger space if possible or splitting recess into shifts.
• Ensure an inclusive Health and Physical Education environment by utilizing Ophea’s Disability-Centred Movement resource. Access Ophea’s e-Learning module.
• Adopt True Sport’s principles for fair play - ethical, inclusive, fun, safe and welcoming environments.
• Check Smart Commute Hamilton to learn more about the School Bike Rack Seed Fund Program
• Follow school board policies and Ophea’s Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines to ensure a safe active environment
• Explore the neighbourhood to determine transportation and safety concerns at and around the school. You can have a formal review process conducted in collaboration with the City of Hamilton. Please see our Active and Sustainable School Travel program for more details.
• Did you know that your school can apply for bike rack funding? For more information and to apply, visit ActiveSchoolTravelHamilton.ca

• Encourage parents and caregivers to get involved in school physical activity by providing them information and opportunities at parent council meetings, newsletters, school website, or parent engagement nights. 
• Connect with Hamilton Public Health Services if Active Sustainable School Travel is a priority for your school.  We can support your school and community, including parent engagement activities.
• Check out the City of Hamilton’s recreation courses, lessons or drop-in programs and learn about their Recreation Assistance Program.
• Visit the Ontario Active School Travel website to read about creating a culture of walking and active school travel options.
• Promote KidSport Hamilton and/or Jumpstart for parents/guardians to access financial support for their child(ren) for registered recreation and sports  programs.
• Search out physical activity opportunities in your area.  Use the ParkFinder tool or discover nearby trails.
• Contact a Physical Activity Specialist or Public Health Nurse by emailing [email protected] for help and advice on physical activity in schools.
• School Travel: Move More, Get Outdoors
• If you need to drive to school, try Drive to Five and walk the rest of the way. 
• Does your child take the bus? Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services has helpful information.