A visual representation of the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE) Annual Revision Process. The annual revision process is managed by Ophea and supported by a team of professionals with expertise in education, physical activity, and risk management. The visual illustrates how OPASSE is reviewed, updated, and maintained throughout the year to ensure safety standards remain current, relevant, and reflective of leading practices in risk management.
The visual consists of five text boxes and arrows representing the path of the revision process throughout the year.
The first text box at the top of the visual identifies the key OPASSE users and contributors who support the user-driven annual review process. These groups include: Ophea’s Safety and Injury Prevention Advisory Committee (SIPAC), Associations, Educators, Health and Physical Education Experts, Outdoor Activity Providers, Outdoor Education Organizations/Teachers, School Boards and Sport Organizations.
Moving down from the OPASSE users and contributors' textbox, two arrows connect to the second textbox on the left side of the visual, labelled “Contributors Identify Areas of Focus (July to September)”, followed by a list of activities which include:
- Submissions are due by July 15th to request modifications
- Ophea reviews and prioritizes change requests with SIPAC for the upcoming school year
Moving to the right from the textbox labelled “Contributors Identify Areas of Focus (July to September)” is an arrow connecting the third textbox labelled “Review Evidence and Recommendations (September to July)” which include the following list of activities:
- SIPAC and Ophea collects evidence and makes recommendations for changes/additions (September - April)
- Ophea consolidates OPASSE revisions and updates (May-July)
The third textbox labelled “Review Evidence and Recommendations (September to July)” is then connected to the fourth textbox to the right by an arrow, and this textbox is labelled “Ophea Communications of Updates”. Activities include:
- Updated e-Learning modules are released (mid-August)
- Annual OPASSE revisions are completed and published (end of August)
- Updates are sent to school board safety contacts and partner organizations (end of August)
And lastly, at the bottom of the visual, is the final fifth text box labelled “Ophea’s Continuous Review” which includes the following activities:
- Identifies potential policies and practices that may impact current safety standards with the support of SIPAC
- Meets with partner organizations to discuss changes, maintain alignment and stay up to date
- Provides professional learning opportunities for school boards
- Answers questions received through safety@ophea.net
- Monitors the Modify the Safety Standards webform submissions