PREPARED BY:
Healthy Schools Department
DATE:
March 21, 2024
SUBJECT:
Comprehensive School Health – Health Promotion Program
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
The WECHU Comprehensive School Health Program works to improve the health and well-being of school-aged students, staff, and their families in collaboration with the four schoolboards: Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB), Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB), Conseil scolaire catholique Providence (CSC Providence), and Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (Viamonde) as well as local private and faith-based schools. In total, the program supports 132 publicly funded schools, and 31 private or faith-based schools.
The program employs best practices and research and is directed by the School Health Standard and Guidelines of the Ontario Public Health Standards (2018), to provide comprehensive programming to support health and wellness topics as indicated in the Standards. Initiatives are planned using the Foundations for a Healthy School Framework, including curriculum, teaching and learning; school and classroom leadership; student engagement; social and physical environment; and home, school, and community partnerships. An inaugural Strategic Partnership Agreement has been signed by the WECHU and all four schoolboards for the 2023-2024 school year (presented to the board in January 2024). This Agreement formalizes the collective actions by all parties to collaborate, cooperate and communicate regarding specific programming and planning activities to support the children and youth of WEC, through the creation of healthy school environments. The WECHU’s leadership of the School Board Liaison Committee is one important component of operationalizing this Agreement.
Program interventions are equity-driven and varying levels of support are provided to schools based on a multi-factor assessment of needs and health priorities identified by schools. There are 70 publicly funded schools which have been identified as highest needs for the 2023-2024 school year. Need was based on combining data sets from the Ministry Education Opportunities Index, EQAO scores, oral health outcomes, immunization rates, and socially disadvantaged community regions. Highest needs schools complete a School Health Assessment survey and work with a dedicated public health nurse to co-develop and implement tailored interventions to meet the needs of the school and students, based on topics identified in the School Health Standard. The top health priorities identified by highest needs schools for 2023-2024 school year include mental health and substance use.
DISCUSSION - Program Highlights
All 163 schools in WEC receive evidence-based program support based on the Foundations for a Healthy School Framework, health topics identified in the School Health Standard, as well as emerging health needs identified by schools and in the larger community. Resources include foundational knowledge and educator tools to support health-related curricula, as well as supportive materials for students and families. Resources are developed and promoted throughout the school year, as well as by request from individual schools. A digital email monthly newsletter of emerging health topics and associated educator resources began in December 2023. All materials developed are readily available from the Healthy Schools section of the WECHU website. Schools, community partners, and caregivers of children and youth are encouraged to sign-up for the newsletter.
Mental Health Literacy Program
(School Health Standard Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4 and PPM 169)
The WECHU is using the Decider Skills Program as one of its mental health literacy approaches. It is a social emotional learning skills-based program that helps students recognize their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, enabling them to monitor and better manage their own emotions and mental health. During the 2022-2023 school year, four school nurses piloted the program at four schools, teaching 12 social-emotional learning skills in classrooms over a seven-week period. At the conclusion of the pilot sessions, the majority of students (67.5%) could name and explain and use at least two Decider Skills.
Based on the evaluation, the program was condensed into five weeks and focused on Grade 4 students at higher needs schools for the 2023-2024 school year. Beginning October 2023, two Decider series of 5 weeks each were completed in 17 priority schools reaching 687 students. Two additional series are planned for this school year, where 16 more higher needs schools will participate. Program evaluation results will be released at the conclusion of the four sessions.
Substance Use Prevention – Break the Vape Youth PSA Challenge
(OPHS School Health Requirements 3 and 4)
Break the Vape Challenge is a contest for WEC students in grades 6 to 12. Students are asked to use their voice to create and submit a 30 second Public Service Announcement video to raise awareness to their peers about the dangers of vaping and the sneaky marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. Videos can be submitted in English or French and must include at least one key message about the dangers of vaping and one call to action. The contest was developed with youth, and students will be asked to watch and vote for their favourite video entries to determine the winners. Prizes will be awarded to students for the top voted videos, and to publicly funded schools with the highest participation rates. Entries will be accepted from February 5 to March 8 and voting begins April 16, 2024.
Food and Nutrition – Educator Toolkit for Supportive Food Environments
(OPHS School Health Requirement 4 and PPM 150)
To support a new approach to teaching and talking about food at school, the WECHU has developed a new resource: School Nutrition Toolkit - How to Create a Supportive Food Environment at School. The toolkit provides knowledge, helpful tips, and resources to increase the capacity of educators and school administrators to create supportive food environments at school. The evidence-based strategies promoted in the toolkit are known to help students foster positive relationships with food and their own bodies, which will increase healthy eating behaviours, body image, and self-esteem.