Programs and Services - Elementary Schools

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The Simcoe Muskoka DistrictHealth Unit is pleased to providethe following programs andservices in partnership withelementary schools and schoolboards in Simcoe County and theDistrict of Muskoka. Physical Substance Mental Activity Use HealthHealthy HealthySchools Eating

2016 / 2017Health ConnectionHealth Connection is a free confidential health information and advice service forresidents and visitors to Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka. Available byphone, email, Facebook and Twitter, Health Connection is staffed by public health nurses andinspectors who can help you.Personal Healthy Safety GrowthTo get information and resources contactHealth Connection at705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.

We work with you to increase school health using the Ministry ofEducation’s Foundations for a Healthy School as a guide.

Healthy SchoolsWe offer: ll Outreach visits to discuss health-related strengths, needs and priorities. ll Action planning to address identified health issues. ll Support to create healthy schools committees involving staff, students, and parents. ll We can assist schools to address issues, connect with other health unit and community services, apply for healthy schools funding opportunities, and more.

We support schools with planning andimplementing activities.

Healthy Eating Programs and Services include: Dental Healthll Student Nutrition Programs: ll Dental Screening: for students in dietitians are available to consult selected grades. with and support school staff and volunteers. ll Preventive Clinics: services including fluorides, pit and fissurell BrightBites: we can assist you in sealants and scaling. Parent/ implementing this fun school chal- guardian consent is needed prior to lenge to increase school nutrition. treatment.ll School Food and Beverage ll Free Dental Care: contact us about Policy: support with implement- the Healthy Smiles Ontario program ation. that provides free preventative, routine and emergency dentalll Food Safety Education: for services for children and youth 17 parents, staff and students at years and under. school functions, including inter- active home kitchen display and ll Oral Health Education: “Alex the handouts. Alligator” teaches students the importance of tooth brushing andll On-site Gardens: support with good oral hygiene. planning and implementation.

We work with school communities to plan andimplement physical activity initiatives.

Physical ActivityPrograms and Services include: ll P.A.L.S. & Healthy P.A.L.S: school staff are trained to supervise the program, and junior and intermediate students are trained to act as peer leaders for this fun and active playground games program. ll School Travel Planning: support with assessment, facilitation and action planning to create active and safe routes to school. ll Outdoor Naturalized Play Areas: information and support for imple- mentation of play and learning environments that include a variety of natural and built elements. ll Physical Literacy: support for your school community to learn about, enhance and implement initiatives that support physical literacy.

Information, resourcesand supports are available related to topics such as tobacco, alcohol and substance misuse prevention.

Substance Use,Addictions and Related BehavioursPrograms and Services include: ll R.A.C.E. against Drugs: is a community-based drug and alcohol awareness program for Grade 5 students. Students move through a series of interactive pit stops to learn key messages about the importance of a drug and alcohol free lifestyle. ll 100% Smoke-Free School Grounds Requirement: the Smoke-Free Ontario Act requires that school property is 100% smoke-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round. The health unit provides signage and offers information and resources that can be used to commu- nicate with the school community. Tobacco Enforcement Officers inspect schools to check for compliance with the law.

We can work with schools to create a customized approach to promotepositive mental health for students.

Mental HealthPrograms and Services include: ll Can You Feel It? Stress Workshop (Grades 6-8): this program developed by youth for youth is available online and can help students build the necessary life skills to manage and cope with the stress in their everyday lives. ll Roots of Empathy: students learn about healthy relationships, emotional literacy and empathy through observing and interacting with a newborn baby.

We can help schools promote safety andprevent injury and illnessamong students, staff and the school community.

Personal Safety and Injury PreventionPrograms and Services include:ll Idling Reduction: schools can ll Infectious Disease: we inves- request our support to raise tigate reportable diseases and awareness of adverse health outbreaks of illness in schools, effects and environmental impacts provide health education and of idling through initiatives like the follow up with staff, students and “Turn It Off” Campaign. Resources families who may be affected. are also available to help teachers incorporate climate change and ll Information and Resources: are idling reduction into their lessons. available on a variety of topics including: sun safety, playgroundll Rabies Prevention: information safety, infection prevention and and resources are available hand hygiene. (display and activity book) for use in classroom activities or school events.

We partner with schools topromote healthy messagingrelated to parenting, humandevelopment, sexual health and immunization.

Healthy Growth and DevelopmentPrograms and Services include: ll Parenting Education: including Triple P Positive Parenting Program for families with children between the ages of 0 and 16. ll Immunization Records: we are required by law to collect and assess immunization records of all students. ll School Immunization Clinics: offered for Grade 7 students: Hepatitis B, Meningococcal A, C, W, Y conjugate and Human Papillomav­ irus (HPV) vaccines. For the 2016- 2017 school year, the HPV vaccine will be also be offered to Grade 8 girls. ll Sexual Health Curriculum: consultation and resources are available.

Health ConnectionHealth Connection is a free confidential health information and advice service forresidents and visitors to Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka. Available byphone, email, Facebook and Twitter, Health Connection is staffed by public healthnurses and inspectors who can help you. To get information and resources contact Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.