As part of Ontario’s Healthy Schools’ strategy, the Ministries of Education and Health Promotion are encouraging schools to take action to create healthier places for children to learn. Whether you are a teacher, principal, school administrator, parent, student, or community partner, there are several initiatives and organizations that can support a healthier learning environment at your school. The following resource has been developed to provide you with valuable information and programs that can improve the health of the children at your school.
What is a “Healthy School?”
A Healthy School involves a holistic approach where school administrators, teachers, parents, students and community agencies work together to create an environment that will have a positive impact on a child’s health and learning.
The term “Healthy Schools” is gaining support within Ontario, most notably since the release of the Foundations for a Healthy School framework by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health Promotion. The concept of a Healthy School is not only about creating healthier schools but also healthier children and youth and healthier communities.
Follow this link to find out more about the provincial framework.
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/
Foundations for a Healthy School
A Healthy School has:
- Quality Instruction and Programs
- A Healthy Physical Environment
- A Supportive Social Environment, and
- Community Partnerships
Quality Instruction and Programs: Quality instruction and programs provides students with a wide range of opportunities to learn, practice, and demonstrate knowledge and skills related to living a healthy life. Programs offered during the instructional day often lay the foundation for other activities done outside instructional time. Quality programs also include opportunities for teachers and school administrators to participate in professional learning opportunities.
A Healthy Physical Environment: A safe and healthy physical environment improves the conditions for learning. A healthy physical environment includes the school building and grounds, routes to and from the school, and materials and equipment used in school programs.
A Supportive Social Environment: A supportive social environment has a positive impact on students’ learning. Many practices within a school foster such an environment. Students, teachers, and parents can benefit from the support provided, which may be formal (e.g., school policies, rules, clubs, or support groups) or informal (e.g., unstructured peer interaction or free play).
Community Partnerships: Community partnerships provide access to resources and services available to support staff, students, and families in the development and implementation of healthy school initiatives. Various organizations can deliver services within the school setting, including public health.
Adapted from Foundations for a Healthy School Ministry of Education and the Government of Ontario.