PS News presents reports on recent College activities and a selection of announcements, events and initiatives in the wider education community that may be of interest to our members.
Pro-sports outreach
Meet the Leafs and Senators
Ontario’s two National Hockey League teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators, have revamped their free school-outreach programs.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), owner of the Leafs, has launched Shape Up to help teachers meet the mandatory 20-minute daily physical-activity requirement in Grades 1 to 8. MLSE sponsored teachers to develop Shape Up in co-operation with the Ontario Physical Health and Education Association. The web site features downloadable resource packages that use professional sports to stress health and wellness.
“The idea is to make the physical activities fun and easy for teachers and students,” says Shannon Hosford, MLSE’s Senior Director of Marketing. “At the same time, it’s an opportunity for us to give back to the community.”
Shape Up showcases the other MLSE teams – the Raptors, Toronto FC and the Marlies. Teachers within 80 kilometres of Toronto who register online will have the opportunity to enter draws for school visits from the players and to attend open practices.
Meanwhile, the new Sens@School online educational program features players from the Ottawa Senators in reading, math and nutrition lesson plans for Grades 4 to 6. Also developed by teachers, the bilingual lessons can be downloaded at www.sensatschool.com.
Teachers within 80 kilometres of Ottawa can enter to win school visits from a Senators player or from the team mascot, Spartacat. “Sens@School is a fun way for the club to be involved in learning,” says Emily Knight, the club’s co-ordinator of fan and community development. “It’s also part of our community focus.”
Shaping up: Kris Versteeg (foreground) and Nazem Kadri of the Toronto Maple Leafs bring fitness wisdom to the lucky students of Diefenbaker Elementary School in Toronto.
