Back to School: Supporting Students and Respecting Parents

Back to School: Supporting Students and Respecting Parents

This week, students will return to school after a busy and eventful summer. Over the
past few months, our government has been hard at work to make important changes for
our education system. This includes releasing the revised elementary Health and
Physical Education (HPE) curriculum, expanding learning opportunities in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), as well as the skilled trades and making
major investments in school infrastructure.
We are supporting students and respecting parents with the 2019 HPE Curriculum.
After the largest consultation to date on education, the curriculum has been developed
to reflect feedback from the public and the best available research and advice from
experts. The curriculum is designed from Grades 1-8 and will provide students with the
skills and knowledge they need to lead safe, healthy and active lives. Parents can
access this resource for what children will learn in each grade.
The following topics will be covered in the curriculum:
 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
In addition, we have released The 2019 Addendum to The Kindergarten Program which
recognizes the importance of safety for our youngest students. The program beginning
in September will now include concussion and online internet safety.
In July, the Education Minister, Stephen Lecce, announced a commitment to enhance
learning opportunities for students in STEM fields as well as skilled trades. By
increasing educational opportunities in STEM and trades, we are ensuring that students
have the tools to be successful in the classroom and in the workplace. As a part of this
strategy, we launched an initiative to help students develop the math skills they need to
excel in school and in their future careers. Over the summer, three-week learning
programs were offered by school boards for students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 and
the online resource Math at Home was launched to support student learning.
Over the summer, our government announced the 2019-20 Capital Priorities Program,
which provides school boards in Dufferin-Caledon and across the province the
opportunity to access funding for large-scale projects such as expanding schools with
new buildings and child care spaces, as well as major renovations. Education that
Works for You was also recently announced by our government. The new plan will
modernize learning, modernize classrooms and empower educators to better prepare
students for today’s modern world.
In getting your children ready for school, it is advised not to forget about their eye
health. Routine eye exams for children (0 to 19 years) are covered by OHIP. The Ontario Association
of Optometrists recommends that children should have an eye exam at 6 months old
another at 2 years and 5 years old and then every 12 months after that.
If you have any questions about the recent changes in education, please call  1-800-265-1603 or visit my website at: www.sylviajonesmpp.ca.