Advocating for a 2 nd Physical Education Credit in Secondary Schools Jeannie Larocque, RN, BScN Public Health Nurse Niagara Region Public Health Department Angela Gueldenstubbe, BA Health Promoter Niagara Region Public Health Department ext. 7298

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Outline of Presentation: 1. A look at the physical activity levels and obesity rates of secondary school students 2. The link between physical activity and academics/health 3. Healthy Living Niagara Secondary School Committee 4. Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge – purpose and process 5. Viewing of the DVD 6. Roll Out 7. Signing of the Petition 8. Challenges, Next Steps, Q & A

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Canada’s Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth – 2006 Less than half of Canada’s children meet the minimum daily physical activity requirements to support basic healthy growth and development. Grade D New direct measure data indicates obesity in children continues to rise, most notably among adolescents aged Grade F Approximately one quarter of kids report physical and psychological health complaints – those with higher physical activity levels report less complaints. Grade C

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Link between physical activity and academics/health: “Regular physical activity and play are essential for physical, mental, psychological and social development from early childhood through adolescence. Involvement in sports can boost children’s health, improve academic performance and help reduce crime.” UNICEF “Coronary heart disease is responsible for a considerable amount of morbidity and mortality from chronic disease in industrialized countries. Physical activity is…an important risk factor for developing coronary heart disease.” (Janus Jongbloed Research Centre, University of Utrecht, Netherlands)

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge

Currently we focus primarily on academic success to gain entry to post secondary education – this reduces the amount of students that participate in secondary level physical education classes. Secondary school students often opt out of physical education classes after receiving the one mandatory credit. According to Active Healthy Kids Canada, between 80 and 90% of parents characterize their children’s activity level’s as good.

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge

Healthy Living Niagara Secondary School Committee We aim to facilitate the optimal health of Niagara school communities. Our committee works to plan, implement and evaluate school based initiatives that encourage children, parents and school staff to adopt healthy lifestyle choices. Healthy Living Niagara is a partnership of 32 community agencies.

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Purpose of the DVD: The DVD and supporting material urges parents of grade 8 and 9 students to encourage their teenagers to take a physical education credit more than once during their secondary school years and show support for a second compulsory physical education credit. “A second compulsory Physical Education credit for secondary schools would result in a increase in adolescents being active.” (Dwyer et. Al, 2006)

Healthy Living Niagara Secondary School Committee Goals and Objectives: To work together towards the optimal health of school communities To increase physical activity levels of adolescents To address healthy weights In 2005, the committee began work on a DVD to demonstrate the positive impact of physical activity on a teenagers education.

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge “Increasing physical activity during school could be accomplished by…increasing the number of physical education classes, particularly in secondary school”. (Effectiveness of Physical Activity Enhancement and Obesity Prevention Program in Children and Youth. PHRED, page 9, 2004.) “Since most interventions increased activity because of increased class time focused on activity, it would be prudent to increase the frequency of physical activity classes as well as increasing the number of physical education credits required in secondary school”. (Thomas et.al, page 20, 2004.)

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Process for Developing Program Materials: Commitment from committee to focus on need for 2 nd compulsory PE credit Request for Proposal developed to select production team Research to identify content for script including literature search, consultation from THCU, input from experts, and focus testing

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Process for Developing Program Materials cont. Consent agreements through school boards for student participation Filming and editing Identification of supportive material Development of promotion strategy Identification of process evaluation mechanism

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Viewing of the DVD

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Roll Out: Communication to Ministries and Regional Council Media Breakfast Launch Media coverage (TV, radio & newspaper) Website ( Distribution to 10,000 homes through ‘Niagara on the Move’ campaign

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Roll Out cont. Distribution of kit to 225 school councils Presentation at school board forums and school councils signature Presentation at partner meetings

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Parent Council Package Contents: 1. Letter about the DVD 2. Script to introduce the DVD 3. Flyer for more information about a 2 nd credit 4. Petition for a second PHYS ED credit 5.Copy of the DVD

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge Challenges: Dissemination/reaching parents Signing of the Petition Ministry of Education Competition for time in the school day Differing opinions from School Boards

Next Steps / Q & A “The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them.” ~ Albert Einstein ~ “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” ~ Goethe ~ “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” ~ Lao Tzu ~

Reality PE: The 60 Minute Edge