No more high jump at elementary school track events, local school boards say

High jump will no longer be a part of local elementary school level track and field competitions.

Both the Algoma District School Board (ADSB) and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (H-SCDSB) announced Wednesday high jump has now been classified as a ‘high risk’ event through Ontario Physical Education (OPHEA) Safety Guidelines, due to the potential risk of injury to students. 

High jump will continue to be a track and field event held at the secondary school level.  

ADSB and H-SCDSB students have been training for upcoming Elementary School Track and Field meets. 

ADSB’s Elementary City Track Meet is scheduled for Friday, June 2. 

The H-SCDSB zone meets will be held June 6 and 7, and the Board finals will be held June 13 at Queen Elizabeth Park in Sault Ste. Marie.

Based on the information and guidelines provided by the OPHEA , the two school boards have decided to no longer offer high jump at the elementary level of competition. 

“Both school boards are committed to supporting athletic opportunities and physical activity while maintaining student safety as a priority,” the boards stated in a joint news release.

The school boards expressed their appreciation for the efforts of elementary staff and volunteers who have, in the past, trained students for track and field events, but stated it is felt the need to maintain student safety as a priority means the high jump event is “best suited for development at the secondary level where there is greater access to trained staff and proper equipment at sites.”

“Based on the review of the safety guidelines set out by OPHEA and our own commitment to student safety, we felt it best to maintain high jump at the secondary level and to have our younger students compete in events that are most appropriate for their stage of development and which can showcase their abilities with less risk involved,” stated Lucia Reese, ADSB director of education.

“We are always cognizant of the health and safety of our students. Based on the safety guidelines OPHEA has provided, we decided that mitigating the risk our elementary students are exposed to in track and field is the best action to take at this time,” wrote John Stadnyk, H-SCDSB director of education.