Understanding Ontarios Health Physical Education HPE Curriculum 2015

Understanding Ontario’s Health & Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum, 2015 And How it Will be Taught in Catholic Elementary Schools An Overview for Elementary Parents

“In Catholic schools, Ontario’s new HPE curriculum is an opportunity for parents and teachers to talk to students about a distinctively Catholic view of human life, sexuality, marriage, and family. ” - Institute for Catholic Education 1 An Overview for Elementary Parents

Background o In February, 2015, the Ontario Ministry of Education released revisions to the Health & Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum o 24 of the 27 (90%) expectations were already addressed in our Catholic schools through our existing Family Life Curriculum, approved by the Bishops of Ontario o Additional lessons have been developed to support teachers as they address the additional expectations in Catholic classrooms 2 An Overview for Elementary Parents

Objectives 1. Provide information about the Ministry’s curriculum review process, and the changes made to the HPE curriculum. 2. Explain how Ontario curriculum is written. 3. Describe how the expectations in the HPE curriculum connect with our current Family Life Program. 4. Reassure Catholic parents that the learning that takes place in our Catholic classrooms will continue to be consistent with our Catholic teachings. 3 An Overview for Elementary Parents

Health & Physical Education Curriculum A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 4

A Changing World Ontario’s Health & Physical Education Curriculum was last updated in 1998. o We now live in a digital world – widespread access to internet, social media, and electronic devices. o Children are maturing physically at an earlier age and engaging with the world at increasingly earlier ages HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 5

An Overview of the HPE Curriculum HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 6

Learning in Catholic Classrooms and the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 7

Lens of Faith “A Catholic world view is a way of looking at the world through a Catholic Church lens. This world view is derived from Catholic Church teachings, scripture and Catholic Church traditions. These teachings, scripture and traditions form the basis of what is taught in Catholic schools. ” ~ Catholic Curriculum Cooperative of Ontario, Writing Catholic Curriculum, 2006, p. 7 HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 8

Family Life Curriculum A part of the educational landscape in Ontario Catholic classrooms for more than 30 years HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 9

The Fully Alive Program HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 10

In Catholic Schools HPE is taught within the Family Life Curriculum HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 11

Understanding Ontario Curriculum HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 12

A Closer Look – An Example from the Grade 3 Curriculum The Ministry’s expectation for student learning is: C 3. 3 describe how visible differences and invisible differences make each person unique, and identify ways of showing respect for differences in others In Catholic schools: This expectation is covered in Theme A in the Family Life (Fully Alive) Curriculum: o students explore what it means to be known and loved by God, known so well that God calls each of us by name o students find out about what it means to be a person – to be unique, but also alike in many ways o students explore what it means to have feelings and to make choices about the way we express them o students explore what it means to have talents and gifts we need to develop, and discover when we share our talents and gifts with one another, we are sharing ourselves HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 13

When Will This be Taught? Timing The themes within the Fully Alive program which deal most directly with issues of Human Development and Sexual Health are typically taught in the Spring. Advance Notice – Letters Home Your child’s teacher will send home a letter for each of themes of the Fully Alive program before beginning to teach section. HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 14

The Role of Parents “Parents and guardians are the first and most important teachers of their children and no place is this statement more true than in the areas that are introduced and explored in family life education…. Catholic schools seek to do all they can to support families as they fulfill this awesome responsibility. ” - Education Commission, Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 15

Communication is Key If you have concerns about any part of the curriculum or classroom learning activities, the concern should be discussed with your child’s teacher and/or principal as an important first step. Consider the following: • Meet with your child’s classroom teacher in person to discuss your concerns. • Review the curriculum with the teacher and/or principal. • Ask your child’s teacher to share the Fully Alive program teacher resource manual with you. • The option to remove your child from specific lessons has always been available to parents, however it is our hope and intent that all of our students experience the curriculum fully. HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 16

A Shared Mission “We know that Catholic teachers will continue to present the issue of human sexuality within the fullness of our faith-based family life curriculum that teaches the content of our faith, the value of persons, human relationships, commitment, and social responsibility. It is through this shared commitment to our faith, and to our Catholic schools, that we remain steadfast in our call to serve and honour God. - Education Commission, Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 17

Resources to Help Catholic Parents Understand the HPE Curriculum HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 18

Need more information? Institute for Catholic Education www. iceont. ca Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario http: //www. acbo. on. ca/ Ontario Ministry of Education http: //edu. gov. on. ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/health. html HPE 2015 An Overview for Elementary Parents 19