healthy schools
The Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition defines a “Healthy School” as one that “promotes the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of the whole school community.”
A Healthy School, “is one that constantly strengthens its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working” (as is a “Health Promoting School” according to the World Health Organization international concept). Healthy students are better learners (Basch, 2011).
A Healthy School includes:
Healthy schools encourage youth and parent engagement, caring relationships, staff wellness, extra-curricular activities non-punitive policies, and effective classroom management techniques; all of these provide the student with a sense of belonging which allows them to learn to their greatest potential in a safe enjoyable environment (Blum, 2010).
A Healthy School, “is one that constantly strengthens its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working” (as is a “Health Promoting School” according to the World Health Organization international concept). Healthy students are better learners (Basch, 2011).
A Healthy School includes:
- High quality instruction and programs
- A healthy physical environment
- A supportive social environment
- Community partnerships
Healthy schools encourage youth and parent engagement, caring relationships, staff wellness, extra-curricular activities non-punitive policies, and effective classroom management techniques; all of these provide the student with a sense of belonging which allows them to learn to their greatest potential in a safe enjoyable environment (Blum, 2010).
Schools Cannot Do It Alone
Presentation - ETFO Conference
LINK: Presentation Slides
THE PRESENTER ...As the Mental Health and Wellbeing Systems Lead for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board and Chair of the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition. Christine Preece has more than 25 years of experience in the both the education and health sectors.
Chris Preece spoke to the benefits of stronger and more effective links between education and health partners for the benefit of both students and staff in our school boards. The work of the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition (OHSC) [9] was highlighted as an example of advocacy and support for healthy school communities.
Key Ideas
Presentation - ETFO Conference
LINK: Presentation Slides
THE PRESENTER ...As the Mental Health and Wellbeing Systems Lead for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board and Chair of the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition. Christine Preece has more than 25 years of experience in the both the education and health sectors.
Chris Preece spoke to the benefits of stronger and more effective links between education and health partners for the benefit of both students and staff in our school boards. The work of the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition (OHSC) [9] was highlighted as an example of advocacy and support for healthy school communities.
Key Ideas
- Schools cannot deal with issues such as violence and mental health on their own
- Adopt an interconnected systems approach to the issues of school violence and mental health. Engage supports between ministries, public health, school boards, agencies, organizations, services, students and families.
- Addressing health disparities must be part of our education and social reform.
- Include the social determinants of health when considering root causes.
- Exposure to adversity can activate the child’s stress response with long-term health consequences.
- Screen for Adverse Childhood Experiences with supports for early intervention and cross-sector, coordinated care.
- Student mental health is a big challenge for twenty-first century learning (Kaylee Kyle, student trustee).
- Break the stigma of student mental health through advocacy and engaging student leaders.
- We need to advocate together rather than against each other
- Business, government, media, communities, families, municipalities, and social and health services need to support education in their work.
healthy schools resources
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Ontario Ministry of Education
The Foundations for a Healthy School resource is designed to help contribute to a learning environment that promotes and supports child and student well-being. The completely revised Foundations for a Healthy School 2014 resource supports the integration of healthy schools policies, programs and initiatives into school and school board planning and implementation processes. |
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Pan Canadian Joint Consortium for School Health (JCSH)
The Pan-Canadian Joint Consortium for School Health is a partnership of 25 Ministries of Health and Education across Canada working to promote a Comprehensive School Health approach to student wellness/well-being and achievement/success for all children and youth. Toolkits: 1.Youth Engagement (YE) Toolkit (2014). 2. Positive Mental Health Toolkit 3. Schools as a Setting for Positive Mental Health: Better Practices and Perspectives (2nd Edition) |
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Community Health Nurses Initiatives Group The Community Health Nurses Initiatives Group (CHNIG) is pleased to announce the release of the paper Healthy Schools, Healthy Children: Maximizing the Contribution of Public Health Nursing in School Settings. The paper describes the critical issues in school health and articulates a scope of practice for public health nurses (PHNs) working within the school setting. It also contains a number of important recommendations that if implemented, will support the health of children and youth. Healthy Schools, Healthy Children: Maximizing the Contribution of Public Health Nursing in School Settings (Version 2) Evidence for School Public Health Nurses |
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