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Support Toolkit for Educators
Healthy students are better prepared to learn, and education is a key determinant of health. This makes schools an ideal setting for children and youth to learn and develop healthy habits. The goal of the School Health Team is to work together, alongside school boards and schools to achieve optimal health and wellbeing for school-aged children and youth.
Our School Health Team consists of:
- Public Health Nurses
- Dental Hygienists and Educators
- Registered Practical Nurses
- Registered Dietitian
- Youth Engagement Coordinator
- Clerical
Ministry of Education – Foundations for a Healthy School
A ‘Healthy School’ is a school that embraces the concept of a healthy school environment and promotes and supports health for students through words and actions.
As a School Health Team, we are prepared to:
- Collaborate with students, parents, educators and community partners to promote the health and wellbeing of school-aged children and youth
- Provide health education supports and resources
- Support the implementation of healthy school policies
- Promote student leadership and engagement while empowering students to develop healthy habits and resiliency
- Provide clinical services such as immunization and dental screening within applicable grades
A Healthy School Committee
A healthy school approach is a framework to create a healthy school environment and improve student learning. Establishing a healthy school committee supports improvements in students’ educational outcomes and promotes resiliency by addressing school health in a planned and holistic way. We can help you establish a healthy school committee that is inclusive of educators, parents, students, and community stakeholders. Contact your school health nurse for more information.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
This collection of resources is meant to be a quick guide to some of the most popular resources that support the Health & Physical Education Curriculum. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, connect with your public health nurse. They may have or know of other resources that may be helpful to you.
Note: please remember to consult your school and school board policies and procedures.
Public Health Chats
Once you have taught a section of the H&PE Curriculum, you may be interested in arranging a ‘Public Health Chat’ with your public health nurse and/or another appropriate member of the School Health Team who can visit your classroom to provide a Public Health perspective on the information already taught, and answer any questions the students may have.
In March of 2018, the Ontario government passed a law known as Rowan’s Law; designed to protect amateur athletes and educate parents/guardians, coaches and officials about the dangers of head injuries. Rowan’s Law is the first of its kind in Canada and will benefit both athletes and non-athletes.
School Boards must have a concussion policy that includes activity plans for returning to school and returning to physical activity for any student who has suffered a concussion. Rowan’s Law is also intended to increase awareness and education around concussions.
Ophea – Concussion Protocol and Implementation Tools
The Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum No. 158; School Board Policies on Concussion recognizes the Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines Concussion Protocol as the minimum standard for school boards, meaning the standards outlined in these Guidelines cannot be lowered. This 2018 Concussion Protocol was developed in partnership with Parachute Canada and aligns with the Berlin Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport and the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport.
safety.ophea.net
TD Think First for Kids
A school-based curriculum program for grades K to 8. This program uses lessons and fun activities to engage students in learning how to ‘think first’ before participating in favourite activities to prevent brain and spinal cord injuries, and empower them to make safe decisions and navigate risks in their daily lives.
www.parachutecanada.org
Brain Waves
Trained volunteers with Safe Communities Sault Ste. Marie, bring this free, informative, hands-on, interactive and fun half-day neuroscience presentation into local classrooms. Students in grades 4 to 6 learn about different parts of the brain, basic neuroscience vocabulary, and how and why it's important to protect their brain and spinal cord.
sault.safecommunities.parachutecanada.org
Helpful Websites:
Children who are well-nourished are more likely to get the energy and essential nutrients they need to grow, be active, stay healthy and do well at school. They are more alert, better able to concentrate and ready to learn. Healthy habits developed in childhood will help children grow into healthy adults.
‘Do No Harm’ – Classroom Education
Sharing accurate and evidence-based healthy eating information is certainly important, but so is ensuring that the delivery of this information to students follows a ‘do no harm’ approach. Promote healthy eating in a positive way (e.g., classifying foods as ‘everyday’ and ‘sometimes’ instead of ‘good’ and ‘bad’). Ensure students of all shapes, sizes and appearances are equally valued and respected, and encourage students to value abilities and characteristics versus weights and shapes. Be aware that teaching students about eating disorders may be harmful as some students may glamourize these disturbed behaviours. Instead, focus on self-acceptance and the health benefits of enjoying nutritious foods and being active, and be a healthy role model. Avoid programs and/or projects that involve weighing students or are weight-focused.
‘Do No Harm’ – Student Lunches
While it is great to educate families on healthy lunches and role model healthy eating, what is packed in lunches from home is a family decision and should be free of scrutiny. Drawing attention to an ‘unhealthy’ choice can isolate children from their peers and damage their self-esteem; causing them to feel shame. In addition, allow students (even in JK/SK) to make their own decisions about what and when to eat the foods and beverages packed in their lunches. There are no benefits to having children eat certain foods before others. Children have their own internal hunger and satiety cues that guide their choices, and actually eat better when allowed to independently choose from options available.
BrightBites
Creating school environments that support healthy eating through words and actions can help students create lifelong healthy habits, and improve well-being. BrightBites is a free online program that supports schools in earning badges and changing the school nutrition environment, one bite at a time.
www.Brightbites.ca
- Sip Smart!™ Ontario: This comprehensive resource is a badge within BrightBites that contains practical information and tools to help schools educate the school community on sugary drinks and making healthy drink choices. In addition to curriculum-based lesson plans for grades 3-7, this resource offers background information, assessment tools, PA announcements, parent handouts and more!
- Paint Your Plate: This comprehensive resource is a badge within BrightBites that contains practical information and tools to help schools increase vegetable and fruit consumption at school and at home. In addition to curriculum-based lesson plans for grades K-8, this resource offers background information, assessment tools, PA announcements, parent handouts and more!
Freggie™
The Freggie™ mascot is available to all elementary schools across Algoma to further promote healthy eating habits and generate excitement about vegetables and fruit. If food is being served at your event, please ensure that vegetables and fruit are included as an option to support Freggie’s™ messages. We encourage schools to teach students the Freggie™ theme song before Freggie™ visits your school so students can sing-along and welcome Freggie™ when he arrives. Contact your public health nurse for more information. The Freggie™ Children’s Program provides additional supports for schools, such as lesson plans and an interactive online website for students.
www.Freggietales.ca
You’re the Chef
A hands-on cooking program for students in grades 5-8, designed to help develop the skills and confidence needed to prepare healthy and tasty recipes emphasizing vegetables and fruit. This program requires leadership from a trained You’re the Chef (YTC) Leader. Algoma Public Health offers training bi-annually (Fall and Spring) for those interested in becoming a trained YTC Leader. Contact your public health nurse for more information.
Snactivity Kit
Available for loan, the Snactivity Kits is a collection of items to help bring healthy eating lessons to life and keep students interested and inspired. Contents include stuffed vegetable and fruit seedies, vegetable and fruit bean bags, food models, matching cards, food beach ball and more. Contact your public health nurse for more information.
Helpful Websites:
Sexuality is a sense of who we are and how we feel about ourselves. Healthy sexuality is an important part of a child’s overall health and wellbeing. When learning about sexual health it is important to include the social, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of sexuality and relationships.
Sexual Health Information Line: 705-541-7100 or 1-800-726-0398
This is a confidential Algoma Public Health phone line that provides information about birth control, pregnancy, emergency contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and access to sexual health services. It is open Monday - Friday, 9am to 4pm (closed 12pm - 1pm over lunch). If no one is available to take your call, please leave a voicemail and a Public Health Nurse will return your call within 1 business day.
Health Connect Ontario: 811
811 is a free, secure and confidential health care service available to all Ontarians. Your call will be received by an advisor who will securely and confidentially collect basic information and the reason for your call. You will then be transferred to a registered nurse who will complete a virtual triage assessment and offer assistance with a variety of health-related questions and concerns.
www.healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education, 2019
This document replaces the Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education, Interim Edition, re-issued in 2018. Beginning in September 2019, all health and physical education programs for Grades 1 to 8 will be based on the expectations outlined in this document.
Elementary Health and Education Curriculum (2019)
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9-12: Health and Physical Education, 2015
This document replaces The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10: Health and Physical Education, 1999 and The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Health and Physical Education, 2000. Beginning in September 2015, all health and physical education courses for Grades 9 to 12 will be based on the expectations outlined in this document.
Secondary Health and Education Curriculum (2015)
Ontario Physical Health Education Association
OPHEA works in partnership with school boards, public health, government, non-government organizations, and companies to develop groundbreaking programs and services. Their purpose is to develop training, programs and resources that support children and youth achieving healthy and active lives:
- OPHEA Elementary Resources: https://www.ophea.net/hpe-elementary-resources
- OPHEA Secondary Resources: https://www.ophea.net/hpe-secondary-resources
Birth Control Kits
Available for loan through your School Health Nurse, the Birth Control Kits are a collection of resources compiled to help teachers implement the H&PE Curriculum. Please speak to your school nurse to request a kit or call the School Health Support Phone Line at 705-942-4646 ext. 3296 to request a kit.
Teaching Sexual Health
The teacher portal provides teachers and educators with evidence-based sexual health information, lesson plans, tools and resources
www.teachingsexualhealth.ca/teachers
Sex & U (The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada)
Provides accurate, credible, and up-to-date information and education on topics related to sexual health and reproductive health (Grades 4-12).
Healthy Dating Relationships
A free guide created by PREVNet, a Canadian network created to promote safe and healthy relationships for children and youth. This resource outlines the key aspects of a healthy relationship and provides students, parents and educators with evidence-based information on online safety.
www.prevnet.ca/sites/prevnet.ca/files/fb-dating-safety-v6-digital.pdf
The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN)
The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) is a not-for-profit charitable organization established in 1964 that works with health professionals, educators, community organizations, governments, and corporate partners to promote sexual and reproductive health, SIECCAN’s work is overseen by a ten-member Board of Directors.
Teen Health Source
A sexual health information service run for and by youth. Whether teens need information about birth control, sexually transmitted infections, healthy relationships, or puberty, we provide information in a non-judgmental, sex-positive, pro-choice, and inclusive manner.
www.teenhealthsource.com/information
Kids Help Phone
A Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. We offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French. Whether by phone, text, mobile app or through our website, you can connect with us whenever you want, however you want. Here are the ways you can reach out to Kids Help Phone now: 1-800-668-6868. This website also provides valuable information about consent, relationships, puberty, birth control, pregnancy.
Algoma Public Health works to maintain a healthy community through the prevention and control of communicable diseases. This is done through the surveillance and investigation of infectious diseases, along with public education. For more information on all infectious diseases, such as routine precautions or recommendations for ‘time off’ school/daycare, contact your public health nurse and/or visit Algoma Public Health’s website.
Handwashing Lesson Plans
These resources are organized into Kindergarten - Grade 2, Grade 3-4 and Grade 5-8, and contain background information, lesson plans, activity sheets and extension activities to help you educate your students on the importance of handwashing and how to wash hands properly.
Glitter Bug
Available for loan through Algoma Public Health, the Glitter Bug is a hands-on tool that utilizes glow-in-the-dark cream/powder and a black light to show students how easily germs can appear on their hands and how important proper handwashing is to successfully remove them.
Helpful Websites:
Immunization protects children from many serious diseases that are easily spread in schools. Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, children and adolescents attending primary or secondary school in Ontario must have proof of immunization against the following designated diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, pertussis (whooping cough), and – for children born in 2010 or later – varicella (chickenpox). Children who are not fully immunized may not be allowed to attend school. (updated)
Grade 7 Immunizations:
Every year grade 7 students are offered 3 vaccines through the school immunization program: Meningococcal ACYW-135, Hepatitis B, and Human Papillomavirus. This year, Algoma Public Health will be visiting every school in Algoma to ensure all Grade 7, 8’s and 9’s are offered catch up clinics for any student who may have missed their grade 7 vaccines during the pandemic. For more information or answers to frequently asked questions about this program, visit the Grade 7 Immunization Page or contact the public health nurse aligned to your school.
High School Immunizations:
Every year students in high school are offered the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) immunization. This year, Algoma Public Health will be visiting every school in Algoma to ensure all eligible high school students are offered catch up clinics to receive the Tdap vaccine. This vaccine is one needle that protects you against three different infections, and requires a booster dose every 10 years. For more information or answers to frequently asked questions about this program, visit the High School Immunization Page (page is currently being created).
Role of Administrators during School Immunization Clinics:
Public Health staff require assistance from school administration, clerical, and the principals for a successful immunization clinic. You can assist the Public Health Nurses with:
- Booking an adequate space for the clinic. It is preferable for staff to be in a large room such as a library or gym, however other rooms may be suitable. The space requires enough light, air flow, and space to accommodate for the clinics. We ask that clinics do not occur on any stage areas if other activities are happening at the same times as the clinic.
- Acquiring enough adult tables and chairs. Your School Public Health Nurse will contact you before the clinic date to request.
- Receiving, distributing, and collecting consent packages. The Public Health Nurse will coordinate with you for this process.
- Send out reminders for parents to complete the consent forms as soon as possible.
- Providing the Public Health Nurses with up-to-date class lists for the required grades.
- On the day of clinic, assisting with calling down students from their classes to the designated clinic area.
- Distributing any follow-up letter for students who were absent the day of the clinic. The Public Health Nurse will provide these prior to completing the clinic.
Role of Educators during School Immunization Clinics:
Teachers play an important role in assisting students and public health nurses in a successful immunization clinic:
- Support students in preparing for upcoming vaccinations. Consider educating your students on how vaccines work in the body!
- Educate students in different ways to cope while receiving their vaccinations. Use the CARD System to reference for strategies for coping with stressors related to immunization.
- Send out reminders for parents to complete the consent forms as soon as possible.
- If parents need support to complete the consent form, please advise them to call their local Public Health Unit, 705-759-5409, or toll free at 1-866-892-0172 ext. 5409.
- On the day of clinic, teachers can assist in ensuring students attend the school clinic and identifying absent students. Teachers should expect interruptions and students to be distracted while the school clinic is occurring.
- Allow student use of personal devices or support tools while attending clinic for distraction purposes.
- Allow for parent or peer support if requested by student.
CARD System:
The CARD system (Comfort, Ask, Relax, and Distract) was developed to reduce stress during vaccination. It provides four categories of science-based activities that teachers and students can play to have a better vaccination experience. To learn more about CARD, go to:
https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/card?topic=cardschool (no changes)
Vaccine Talks Toolkit:
The Vaccine Talks Toolkit is a resource developed by OPHEA that compiles and incorporates vaccine literacy into vaccine discussions as an important part healthy living. This resource is a free online resource intended to support children and youth in developing their health literacy related to vaccinations.
https://ophea.net/vaccination-talks-toolkit
Kids Boost Immunity:
Kids Boost Immunity is a Canadian education initiative developed by teachers and health professionals to engage digital-age students in grades 4-12. There are over 200 lessons available on the full website. For every quiz that students complete and score 80% or above, a vaccine is donated to UNICEF Canada.
Positive Mental Health is defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada as “the capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. It is a positive sense of emotional and spiritual well-being that respects the importance of culture, equity, social justice, interconnections and personal dignity”
(PHAC, 2022). [i]
“By working to increase self-esteem, coping skills, social connectedness and well-being, mental health promotion empowers people and communities to interact with their environments in ways that enhance emotional and spiritual strength” (Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 2018). [ii]
Schools are an idea place for mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention. Contact the public health nurse aligned to your school if you are seeking more information.
Mental Health Commission of Canada
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) offers many tools and guidelines on a wide range of mental health topics, including on peer support, caregiving, and recovery.
Pan-Canadian Joint Consortium for School Health Positive Mental Health Toolkit
A series of online modules designed to promote positive mental health practices and perspectives within the school environment.
www.jcshpositivementalhealthtoolkit.com
Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health
The Centre offers a diverse collection of info, tools and services regarding youth mental health. Click on the “Resource Hub” link.
School Mental Health Ontario
Works together with Ontario school districts to support student mental health. The website provides evidence-based mental health activities and resources for schools, educators, parents and professionals to help promote wellness and prevent illness.
Think, Feel, Act
Providing constructive supports for resilience helps children learn skills for coping that can contribute to lifelong mental health and well-being. This briefing provides helpful strategies to build children’s resilience and well-being.
www.ontario.ca/page/think-feel-act-lessons-research-about-young-children
Ontario 211
Look up community services available in your area.
Kids Help Phone
Canada’s only national 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, online counselling and referral service for children and youth. In addition to professional counselling support and a variety of resources to help youth in any moment of need, the website offers a wide range of articles, tools and resources to help young people through challenges or experiences they might face. Children and teens can speak with a counsellor 24/7 by calling Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or texting CONNECT to 686868.
Hope for Wellness Help Line
Hope for Wellness Help Line offers mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Call 1-855-242-3310 or visit www.hopeforwellness.ca
[i] Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC]. (2014, May 6). Mental Health Promotion. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/mental-health/mental-health-promotion.html
[ii] Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. (2018). School Health Guideline. Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/
Dental Screening
Dental screenings in elementary schools involve a quick visual assessment of the mouth by a registered dental hygienist and a dental health educator. Results are sent home to inform parents of any concerns. Please note, this program does not replace the importance of visiting the dentist regularly.
- Healthy Smiles Ontario: A free dental program for eligible students (up until 18th birthday).
Oral Health Education Guides
The Ontario Association of Public Health Dentistry website provides curriculum support, including lesson plans and student activities. All teacher resources can be downloaded free of charge and provides teachers and students with resources to promote good oral health.
The Ontario Association of Public Health Dentistry (click on Oral Health Education Guides)
Helpful Websites:
Several teaching aids are available from our lending library. Contact the public health nurse aligned to your school for more information.
Ontario Physical Activity Standards in Education (OPHEA)
Free, online activity-based resource helps children and youth develop an understanding of skills and strategies associated with physical activity and provide experiences to help with physical and health literacy and skills for healthy active living.
Ontario Active School Travel
Evidence-based resources to promote active school transport, including: walking, cycling and other forms of active and sustainable transportation.
https://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca
Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada)
Professional development services, programs, and resources for quality physical health education and healthy learning environments.
ParticipACTION
Information and activities to support physical activity for children and youth.
The 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth
Provides optimal health benefits for children and youth (aged 5-17 years). They should achieve high levels of physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour, and sufficient sleep each day.
https://csepguidelines.ca/guidelines/children-youth
Educators can access the resources below by contacting the public health nurse aligned to your school.
Busy Box
An enthusiastic addition to your Health & Physical Education lessons. A variety of items to promote physical literacy and encourage daily physical activity.
Injuries caused by motor vehicles collisions (MVCs) remain a significant public health problem in Canada. Off road vehicles can include all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, motocross bikes, amphibious vehicles, quad bikes and other similar vehicles.
Ontario Road Safety Resource
Contains downloadable lesson plans covering various topics, including passenger safety, bicycle safety, rollerblading and skateboarding, as well as pedestrian safety, technology and distractions.
www.ontarioroadsafety.ca
Helpful Websites:
algomapublichealth.com
parachutecanada.org
ontario.ca/atv
mto.gov.on.ca
The use of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, vaping, opioids and other substances are key public health concerns. Substance use that begins during late childhood and early adolescence can lead to a pattern of behaviours with adverse health and social consequences.
Several teaching aids are available from our lending library. Contact the public health nurse aligned to your school for more information.
Alcohol
Media Smarts
This resource includes lesson plans to help students develop critical thinking skills to engage with media as active, and informed digital citizens. Specific to alcohol marketing.
https://mediasmarts.ca/lessonplan/alcohol-web-lesson
Rethink Your Drinking
This awareness campaign encourages moderation or low-risk drinking (harm reduction approach) to support healthy lifestyle choices and reduce short and long-term risks associated with alcohol consumption. This website includes Canada’s low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines, health effects, resources and support, information on what is a standard drink and when zero is the limit.
http://www.rethinkyourdrinking.ca/
Cannabis
Talking pot with youth; A Cannabis Communication Guide for Youth Allies
Using a harm reduction approach, this resource is designed to help those who work with young people to have the right kind of conversations with them about cannabis: conversations that are safe, unbiased, informed and non-judgmental.
https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2020-04/CCSA-Cannabis-Communication-Guide-2020-en.pdf
Cannabis Education Resources (OPHEA)
This cannabis education resource was developed to provide educators and administrators access to evidence-informed information on substance use (specifically cannabis) to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions to support their health and well-being. This resource includes a discussion guide, activity plans (broken down by grade level, Grades 5 – 12), and resources/handouts. Available in English and French.
https://www.ophea.net/cannabis-education-resources
Talking About… Series
The Talking About Series is an educational resource addressing cannabis, tobacco, vaping, and water pipes. The series includes a set of activity guides, one for each topic, to help facilitate critical discussion with young people (Grades 7 – 12) in a fun and informative manner.
https://lunghealth.ca/support-resources/digital-learning-centre/talking-about-series/
Sensible Cannabis Toolkit – Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy
This resource aims to support adults in having informed and non-judgmental conversations with young people about cannabis.
https://cssdp.org/uploads/2018/04/Sensible-Cannabis-Education-A-Toolkit-for-Educating-Youth.pdf
Tobacco
Talking About… Series
The Talking About Series is an educational resource addressing cannabis, tobacco, vaping, and water pipes. The series includes a set of activity guides, one for each topic, to help facilitate critical discussion with young people (Grades 7 – 12) in a fun and informative manner.
www.lungontario.ca
Tobacco Prevention Toolkit (Stanford Medicine)
The Tobacco Prevention Toolkit is a free, theory-based and evidence-informed educational website resource created by educators and researchers aimed at preventing middle and high school students’ use of cigarettes, cigars/cigarillos, chew, hookah, and electronic cigarettes. This Toolkit contains a set of modules focused on e-cigarettes and vapes and messages on nicotine addiction.
https://med.stanford.edu/tobaccopreventiontoolkit.html
Media Smarts
This resource includes lesson plans to help students develop critical thinking skills to engage with media as active, and informed digital citizens. Specific to tobacco marketing.
https://mediasmarts.ca/tag/categories/tobacco-marketing
Vaping
Vaping Education Resource
Developed to provide educators with capacity building tools and conversation starter prompts to support students (Grades 4 -8) in developing the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions to support their health and well-being. This resource includes Instructional Moments videos and an Educator Guide as well as Conversation Starter videos designed to initiate conversations about vaping with elementary students at different stages of their development. Available in English and French.
OPHEA Vaping Education Resources
Vaping: What’s the Hype?
This resource is meant to help youth learn about vaping to become informed decision-makers. This toolkit contains an educator guide and curriculum linked activities for students in grades 5-9. Available in English and French.
English: www.myhealthunit.ca/vapehype
French: www.myhealthunit.ca/troussevapotage
Talking About… Series
The Talking About Series is an educational resource addressing cannabis, tobacco, vaping, and water pipes. The series includes a set of activity guides, one for each topic, to help facilitate critical discussion with young people (Grades 7 – 12) in a fun and informative manner.
https://lunghealth.ca/support-resources/digital-learning-centre/talking-about-series/
Not an Experiment
Information and Educator Resources including a power point and escape room activity. Available in English and French.
https://www.notanexperiment.ca/
https://www.pasuneexperience.ca/
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
These fact sheets provide general information about vaping and outlines important facts, associated risks, and additional resources to support elementary and secondary educators and youth/friends in having informed conversations with youth.
Vaping What Elementary School Educators Need to Know
Vaping Secondary School Educators Need to Know
https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Vaping-Student-Resource-EN.pdf
Opioids and Other Substances
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions (CCSA)
This website offers general information about opioids and prescription drugs with links to fact sheets for educators and students. Developed in partnership with School Mental Health-Assist and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
https://www.ccsa.ca/prescription-drugs
Prescription Opioids: What Educators Need to Know
Prescription Opioids: What You and Your Friends Need to Know
Lending Library
Educators can access the resources below by contacting the public health nurse aligned to your school.
Pigs Lungs
A demonstration kit for grades 5-12 that contains preserved pig’s lungs (one healthy lung and one affected by years of smoking) to show students the anatomy and physiology of a non-smoker’s lung and a smoker’s lung damaged by cancer and emphysema.
Mr. Gross Mouth
A demonstration kit for grades 7-12 that contains a very realistic model of a mouth, and shows students the damage that can be caused by using smokeless tobacco.
Fatal Vision Goggles
These googles can be used to demonstrate how alcohol impairs a person’s balance, vision, reaction time and judgment. This kit includes seven goggles all having different levels of impairment (blood alcohol concentration) with the highest impairment level demonstrating binge or high risk drinking. Grades 9 – 12.
Fatal Vision Cannabis Impairment Goggles
These googles help simulate the effects of cannabis use, including loss of motor coordination, slowed decision-making and reaction time, and distorted vision. Grades 9 – 12.
Exposure to UV radiation from the sun, without adequate protection, or from artificial sources like tanning beds, has significant adverse health outcomes. While there can be benefits of UV exposure, including facilitating vitamin D3 formation, UV radiation from the sun and tanning devices has been classified as a human carcinogen and is a key risk factor for skin cancers in addition to premature skin aging, eye problems, and weakening of the immune system.
Canadian Cancer Society – SunSense Certification
This program acknowledges and celebrates schools that have created a sun safe environment to protect students and staff from harmful ultraviolet radiation. By using a comprehensive approach that engages parents, staff and students, schools can influence sun safety behaviours and create a sun safe culture within the school community. Schools can register online annually in the Fall.
cancer.ca
Canadian Cancer Society – Teaching Guides
Free, downloadable, curriculum-based SunSense Teaching Guides for grades 1-3 and 4-6. These Teaching Guides are part of the SunSense Certification Program at the Canadian Cancer Society. cancer.ca SunSense Tent Available for loan through Algoma Public Health, this large tent provides a large shade structure for any of your outdoor events or activities. Contact your public health nurse for more information.
Violence has far-reaching consequences for both mental and physical health, and negative associations with sexual health. It contributes to the risk of suicide, substance use and addiction, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, other psychological harms, chronic diseases, and social impacts (e.g., diminished academic achievement and worker productivity, and the deterioration of families and communities).
Bullying (e.g., physical, verbal, social, cyber) has serious implications for the mental health of children and youth, and if not addressed can lead to fatal outcomes, including suicide. For example, weight-based stigmatization, the most common form of bullying reported by students age 13 to 19, is associated with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, suicidal ideation, poor academic performance, lower physical activity, maladaptive eating behaviors, and avoidance of health care.
PALS Program
Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) is a peer-led playground leadership program that encourages all children to participate in activities regardless of their gender, size or ability. This program is intended to increase physical activity on the playground, decrease conflict and playground bullying, provide leadership opportunities and build developmental assets for students. Contact your public health nurse for more information.
Connect (Ed)
A free online resource addressing internet safety for students in grades 4-6. This resource is intended to help students develop safe and healthy online behaviours, such as netiquette, security, personal privacy and relationships (e.g., recognizing and managing cyberbullying).
ophea.net
CyberCop
A free, online resource, that teaches students in Grades 7 and 8 about the risks and safety issues surrounding the Internet and helps them recognize and respond to these situations.
ophea.net
WITS Program (Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Out, Seek Help)
This program, which is available in English or French, brings together schools, families and communities to create environments that support children in elementary school to deal with bullying and peer victimization. There is a program for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3, and a separate one for grades 4-6. The programs contain lesson plans, book lists, and classroom resources and activities.
https://witsprogram.ca/school/
Helpful Websites:
prevnet.ca
ophea.net
sexandu.ca (consent, sexual harassment, on-line safety)
Youth Engagement and Development
Youth engagement requires a shift in how we connect with young people. Often our focus is on educating young people to prevent problems and ensuring plans are in place to help those with problems. Although this is important, focusing exclusively on problems is limiting. Instead we need to work with young people to create meaningful opportunities that help to develop their competencies, confidence, character and connections. Involving youth in the identification of priority issues, emerging trends and promoting messaging can help to more effectively achieve desired outcomes.
The ABC’s for Adults as Allies:
- Ask: Be an asker, not a teller.
- Boundaries: Develop mutually agreed upon guidelines for the group.
- Challenge: Support youth to take leadership of their own learning.
- Democracy: Share decision-making.
- Engagement: Create opportunities for youth, especially those who do not usually participate.