Safe and Healthy Schools

The health and well-being of people is critical to their lifelong learning and success.

Our district is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our school communities by supporting a comprehensive school health (CSH) approach. CSH is an internationally recognized framework for supporting improvements in students' educational outcomes while addressing school health in a planned, integrated and holistic way.

For a short explanation of CSH, check out this video.

Comprehensive School Health

As part of our district’s commitment to promoting health and well-being for all, we produce monthly bulletins full of tips and resources we hope you find helpful. Have feedback or topics you’d like to see addressed? We’d love to hear from you. Email HealthySchools@sd62.bc.ca.

Healthy Schools, Healthy People Newsletter

What is a healthy school?

A healthy school is a place where students have many opportunities;

  • in the classroom, and in every aspect of their school experience
  • to foster their healthy physical, mental, social and intellectual development.

See a presentation to the Board about our new Healthy Schools, Healthy People team.

Healthy schools – also known as health-promoting schools – work with partners from the health and education sectors, and with those from the broader community, including parents, to support students to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. (Healthy Schools BC)

Recommended Resources

Cannabis Legalization – What does the legalization of cannabis mean for SD62 schools 

Helping Schools – Helpful list of local services dealing with everything from vaping to mental health.

Brand Name Food List – Up-to-date information for food sales allowed in schools, on all foods that are sold prepared, from PC brands to Timmy’s.

Action schools – All SD62 elementary schools are Action Schools. Great ideas and activities for supporting healthy, active living in your school.

Beyond the Talk – A sexual health information and education program that provides youth with factual and current information about sex and sexuality including birth control, sexually transmitted infections, sexual decision making, pregnancy, and bodies in a non-judgmental, sex-positive, pro-choice, and inclusive way.

Healthy Schools BC Newsletter – Great source of information from around the province.

Island Health Information

Teenage brain – Find out what’s going on inside teens’ brains (hint – it’s still under construction!)

Mental Health and Substance Use Information You Can Trust

McCreary Centre Society – a non-government not-for-profit committed to improving the health of BC youth through research, education and community-based projects.

Kelty Mental Health Centre – A series of free educational events open to anyone in BC. The aim is to provide learning opportunities on key mental health and substance use topics, and host a forum where people can engage in dialogue with experts and persons with lived experience.

Transitions provides first-year students with information on topics including time management, relationships, sexual activity, mental illness, suicide and addictions.

Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – Thriving Kids is a family-focused phone-based coaching service effective in reducing mild to moderate behavioural problems and promoting healthy child development in children ages 3-12.

Health Related Print Resources

The following are practical tips and resources that may be helpful. They have been produced by a variety of credible organizations such as Island Health and BC Health.

Vision

Health Kindergarten Vision Screening
Does Your Child Have a Vision Problem?

Hearing

Kindergarten Hearing Screening
Hearing Protection
Big Problems, Little Ears

Immunizations / Vaccinations

Kindergarten Immunization Screening
Influenza Vaccine

Colds, Flu & Virus’

Influenza Prevention
Norovirus
Chicken Pox

Teeth

Dental Health
Protect Your Smile

Lice

Head Lice
Lice Detection