The provincial government is unveiling a new Health and Physical Education curriculum at the elementary level with the start of a new school year less than two weeks away.
The revised program puts a focus on physical activity, skill development and mental health.
The course will focus on:
-Mental Health, including Social-Emotional Learning Skills
-Concussions
-The effects and consequences of vaping and cannabis
-Cyber safety, including bullying prevention and digital privacy
-Healthy eating and body image
-Healthy relationships, including consent
The discussion of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation won’t take place until the later half of Grade 8.
The province says the new curriculum relates to the everyday experiences of students.
The government says it follows the province’s largest consultation on education and has been updated to reflect public feedback, research and advise from experts.
For more information on the curriculum and how it impacts specific grades, visit https://www.ontario.ca/document/health-and-physical-education-grades-1-8
We are standing up to support cyber safety in our updated curriculum – under our plan, Ontario is a leader in online safety.
Do you agree with our #1 priority #KeepingKidsSafe?#onpoli @OPP_HSD pic.twitter.com/AtmPjGPsSU
— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) August 20, 2019
