What you need to know about the 2018 interim Health and Physical Education (HPE) elementary curriculum

Peel staff teach the Human Growth and Development component of the HPE curriculum to elementary students in the Spring. By then, teachers have developed strong relationships with students and have a clear understanding of their maturity levels. This helps ensure that we teach the curriculum in an age- and developmentally appropriate manner. 

Lesson plans
Peel District School Board curriculum staff have done a thorough review of the interim HPE curriculum and developed comprehensive lesson plans to support Peel educators to deliver the elementary curriculum to students.

Advance notice of Human Growth and Development lessons
As per past practice, all Peel elementary schools will send letters to parents at each grade level at least two weeks before they teach the Human Growth and Development section of the curriculum. It's important to note that schools will not provide advance notice for classroom discussions, events and/or activities that build a climate of inclusion and safety, including discussions about different kinds of families or any of the other human rights protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Equity and Inclusion

Peel educators will deliver the provided curriculum in accordance with the Peel board's Equity and Inclusion Policy #54 and the Ontario government's equity and inclusive education strategy.

Excerpt from the Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education, 2010 – Interim Edition, pages 56 and 57: In an environment based on the principles of inclusive education, all students, parents, and other members of the school community—regardless of ancestry, culture, ethnicity, sex, physical or intellectual ability, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or other similar factors—are welcomed, included, treated fairly, and respected. Diversity is valued, and all members of the school community feel safe, comfortable, and accepted. Every student is supported and inspired to succeed in a culture of high expectations for learning. In an inclusive education system, all students see themselves reflected in the curriculum, their physical surroundings, and the broader environment, so that they can feel engaged in and empowered by their learning experiences.

Questions or concerns
As with any questions related to their child's education, we encourage parents to speak to their child's teacher. If you have concerns about the curriculum, contact the Ministry of Education through their website at https://www.ontario.ca/form/education-feedback.