Supporting Healthy Schools

The Healthy Schools Toolkit is a manual that gives you step-by-step tips to implement the Healthy Schools approach.

There are four steps to a Healthy School:

1. Plan - Identify a Healthy Schools team and collect and assess data to identify a priority health topic for your school
2. Act - Create and implement your action plan
3. Evaluate - Assess and reflect on your action plan and set goals for next year
4. Celebrate - Celebrate your success as a healthy school

Good Nutrition = Better Learners = Student Well-being

Healthy eating is essential for student well-being. Here you will find tools and action plans using the Healthy Schools approach.

Plan

• Gain commitment to improve your school's healthy eating environment. Share information about healthy eating and nutrition with members of the school community. For key facts on child nutrition, review the Healthy Eating for Children and Youth in Waterloo Region fact sheet
• Identify a Healthy Schools Committee - This may be an existing committee such as a Safe, Caring and Inclusive Schools Committee or a School Improvement Committee
• Assess your school's healthy eating environment by completing the Healthy School Planner - Healthy Eating Module. A report with recommendations will be generated when the module is completed

Act, evaluate and celebrate

To see some of the program action plans, tools and resources and to learn how to address your school's healthy eating priority, check the BrightBites website. BrightBites is a non-profit program that provides teachers with free resources (in English and French) to guide their classroom, group or the whole school to healthier eating.

Curriculum resources

Through your school board's courier, you can borrow and return resources with lesson plan ideas, games, models, DVDs, posters and more from the Public Health Resource Library.

Click on the links below to find resources by grade in our catalogue. To request a resource, click on the resource in the catalogue and select 'Request' or contact us at 519-575-4400 ext. 2256 or phrl@regionofwaterloo.ca. You can also order copies of Canada's Food Guide and other pamphlets that are available to keep.

• Grades K to 3
• Grades 4 to 6
• Grades 7 to 8
• Grades 9 to 12

Active Students = Active Learners = Student Well-being

Physical Activity is a great way to promote student well-being. Here you will find tools and action plans using the Healthy Schools approach.

Plan

• Gain commitment to improve your school's physical activity environment by sharing information with your school community. For key facts on physical activity for children, review these resources:

• Physical Activity Fact Sheet for Children and Youth in Waterloo Region
• The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth;
• ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

• Identify a Healthy Schools Committee -This may be an existing committee such as a Safe, Caring and Inclusive Schools Committee or School Improvement Committee.
• Assess your school physical activity environment by completing the Healthy School Planner - Physical Activity Module. A report with recommendations will be generated with completion of the module for your school.

Act, evaluate and celebrate

There are many opportunities to promote physical activity throughout a student's day:

• Getting to and from school - Encourage students and families to use active and sustainable transportation such as walking, cycling, rollerblading or riding a school bus. Participate in Active and Safe Routes to School
• During recess and breaks - This is a good time to promote both structured and unstructured play. Train students to be Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS). 
• Daily physical activity and physical activity in the classroom - Spend at least 20 minutes each day being active in the classroom, outside of physical education time. The Ministry of Education has resources for teachers and they are also available to borrow from the Public Health Resource Library (see curriculum supports below).

Curriculum resources

Through your school board's courier, you can borrow and return resources with lesson plan ideas, games, models, DVDs, posters and more from the Public Health Resource Library.

Click on the links below to find resources by grade in our catalogue. To request a resource, click on the resource in the catalogue and select 'request'  or contact us at 519-575-4400 ext. 2256 or phrl@regionofwaterloo.ca. You can also order pamphlets that are available to keep.

• Grades K to 3
• Grades 4 to 6
• Grades 7 to 8
• Grades 9 to 12 

Positive Mental Health = Emotional Well-being = Student Well-being

Please note: This website provides staff with universal supports for developing positive mental health. For immediate mental health concerns, please refer to the appropriate resources, including:

• Kids HelpLine: 1-800-668-6868

• Here 24/7 Hotline: 1-844-437-3247

• Mental Health HelpLine

The Healthy Schools approach offers comprehensive ways to build positive mental health in your school. You can also refer to your school board's mental health strategy and connect with your Mental Health Lead with any questions.

• Waterloo Catholic District School Board Mental Health Lead: 519- 578-3660

• Waterloo Region District School Board Mental Health Lead: 519-570-0003

Plan

The Positive Mental Health Module in the Healthy Schools Online Planner helps schools focus on areas related to positive mental health. Contact your Board Mental Health Lead for help before completing the Online Planner, and review your school climate survey results.

Act

Positive mental health in schools can be supported by using the Healthy Schools approach to promote healthy lifestyle choices, such as healthy eating and physical activity.

• Action Plan - Engaging students in Healthy Schools initiatives is important.

• Guidelines, fact sheets, definitions - Shifting Gears is a report that highlights the links between healthy eating, physical activity and positive mental wellness; Supporting Minds: An Educator's Guide to Promoting Students' Mental Health and Well-being developed by the Ministry of Education, provides information and strategies to support students who may be experiencing issues related to mental health; Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA); School Mental Health ASSIST  supports school leaders; Bounce Back Again  supports staff in elementary schools, with the goal to start conversations with students about bouncing back from adversity

Evaluate

After implementing initiatives at your school, take some time to complete the Healthy Schools Online Planner - Positive Mental Health Module again to help compare any changes within your school.

Celebrate

Celebrating the hard work of the school community will promote a positive environment in the school. It will also encourage support for Healthy Schools in the future and provide a chance to highlight the school's successes. Inclusive ways to celebrate Healthy Schools initiatives include:

• Involving the whole school community in celebrations

• Encouraging students and teachers to communicate and celebrate successes

• Incorporating self-esteem and confidence-building activities into the classroom with outcomes that can be recognized and celebrated