Healthy Schools

Presentation to the HKPR District Health Unit Board of HealthSeptember 18, 2014

Presented by Karen PettinellaHaliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District HealthHealthy Schools

Comprehensive School HealthA Healthy School . . .

Promotes physical, mental, social and spiritual health of the whole school community

Constantly strengthens its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working

World Health OrganizationLead in Global School Health Initiative

Countries involved include:43 European countriesAustraliaUnited StatesCanada

Healthy SchoolsOntarios Comprehensive School Health initiativeEstablished in 2000 Ontario Ministry of Education working together to make schools healthier places for students to learn and growSupported by health units throughout Ontario

What are the benefits of becoming a Healthy School?Health and education are closely linkedHealthy students are better learnersA Healthy School approach improves:HealthWellness andEducational outcomes

Benefits for the StudentHelp them reach their full potentialImprove learning, academic performance and successLink them to community servicesHelp them develop:ConfidenceSelf-esteemResiliency skills So that they are more likely to be physically and emotionally healthy for lifeLearned healthy behaviours likely to continue in adulthood Benefits for the School StaffA healthy school environment leads to:Improved learning environmentsStrengthens positive teacher-student bondsImproved job satisfaction

Staff who participate in health promotion activities are more likely to model positive health messages on a daily basis

Teachers can teach more effectively when their students are healthier

Benefits for the Family / Parent / GuardianBecome more involved with their children, helping them apply and integrate the new health information they are learningOpportunities created to get more involved in the school communityLearn about keeping their children and their families healthyLearn about community resources and servicesBenefits for the School CommunityBuild strong partnerships and communication networks while working together to address school needsAccess to more community resources and servicesPriorities can be establishedInstructional and administrative time can be maximizedImproves relationships among students, staff and parentsThe Healthy Schools ApproachIs ongoing, with participation and collaboration from the entire school community including:StudentsParentsSchool staffCommunity partnersIdentifies strengths and focuses on health issues specific to the needs and concerns of the school communityIs based on the Foundations for a Healthy School a framework for ensuring that the schools planning processes are comprehensive

Foundations for a Healthy SchoolThe four Foundations for a Healthy School include:

High quality instruction and programsA healthy physical environmentA supportive social environmentCommunity partnerships

The Healthy School ProcessCommit to the Healthy School processForm a Healthy School Committee- Include students, parents, school staff and community partnersIdentify school strengths and needsCelebrate strengths and identify a priority topic issue from survey resultsDevelop an Action Plan using the Foundations for a Healthy SchoolCelebrate your success!Plan for next yearReview and EvaluateCarry out the Action Plan

CDIP Staff CommitmentSchools and Youth Team of Public Health Professionals (PHP)

Began promoting + supporting Healthy Schools in 2011Presently working with and/or in contact with 32 schools throughout HKPR region and within 3 school boards12 schools are committed to HS process20 schools are potential Healthy Schools7/12 Healthy Schools have surveyed their students, parents and school staff to identify strengths and needs

Survey ResultsCommon school strengths identified include:Sports/clubsFriends/studentsSchool staff

Top issues identified include:Anxiety / StressLack of outdoor shadeLoneliness (boys)BullyingDifficulty getting along with others

Challenges Identified by CDIP TeamGetting buy-in from schoolsBeing able to move forwardWorking within the schools time linesSchool readinessFinding a school championLack of student engagement by school staff

Our Schools and Youth Team are committed to supporting existing Healthy Schools in our region and are ready to assist potential schools who choose to become healthier school communities

For more information about Healthy Schools, please contactJanet Leadbeater Healthy Schools LeadPort Hope HKPRDHU office905-885-9100 ext. 1244jleadbeater@hkpr.on.ca