February is an ideal time to pause and review supervision practices. Changing winter conditions, busy indoor spaces, and both elementary and secondary schools, are transitioning to a new semester/term. These transitions create a need to refocus on clear supervision strategies to support safe and inclusive participation in physical education, intramurals, and interschool activities.
When planning activities in February, consider the following:
Reinforce Routines and Reset Expectations
In elementary settings, reinforce routines established throughout the year, including start and stop signals, equipment handling, boundaries, and safe movement in shared spaces.
In secondary settings, use the semester transition to re-teach safety expectations, supervision boundaries, and class routines with new groups.
This is also an opportunity to review relevant student Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and other plans that support student safety and learning to ensure the necessary adjustments to supervision and monitoring are in place so all students can participate safely.
Match Supervision to the Activity Being Done
Each activity in the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE) includes a Supervision component, which identifies the required type of supervision: Direct Supervision, In-the-Area Supervision, or On-Site Supervision. It is important to remember that the type of supervision may change during different phases of an activity. This may look like:
Direct Supervision being required during equipment set-up, safety instruction, and when introducing new or higher-risk skills (e.g., skating lesson, weight room orientation, new fitness stations).
Activities may transition to On-Site or In-the-Area Supervision once routines, skills, and expectations are established.
Note: To confirm the required type of supervision and whether the type of supervision transitions, check the specific activity page.
Be Intentional When Using Shared or Multiple Spaces
February activities often occur indoors within gyms and fitness rooms as well as outdoors on fields, or trails.
Circulate actively when using multiple stations or activities (e.g., fitness circuits, badminton courts, intramurals).
Communicate where you will be when students may be briefly out of sight (e.g., snowshoeing loops, ski hills, outdoor fitness routes).
Check that current supervision levels meet OPASSE standards when combining activities in one space or across locations.
A brief mid-year supervision check-in helps ensure routines remain clear, the type of supervision is appropriate for the activity, and students are supported to participate safely and confidently through the remainder of the school year.
Where to Find More Information
Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE): Review activity-specific safety standards, including supervision requirements and transition points.
Sample Guiding Checklist for Disability Centred Safety: Review the supervision questions provided.
School Board Policies and Procedures: Follow local direction related to supervision roles, responsibilities, communication, transportation, and documentation.