Elgin St. Thomas Public Health

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Schools

Research has shown that healthy children are better learners. Most children and youth spend the majority of their time at school. This makes it important to create conditions at school that will lead to good health and good learning. A student’s self-esteem and well-being are intertwined with academic achievement and behaviour. An unhealthy student cannot function well in the classroom, regardless of the instructional approaches or the overall school environment.

Healthy Schools is an integrated approach promoting opportunities for students to observe and learn positive health attitudes and behaviours. The four components of a Healthy School are:

High quality instruction and programs
Healthy physical environment
Supportive social environment
Community partnerships

This integrated approach becomes embedded in school culture, affecting decisions about issues such as school lunches, fundraising and opportunities for physical activity. It is a way of conducting the business of the school while promoting the well-being of students and their families.

In this section of the website you will find information to support educators, parents and students in achieving this goal.

If you can not find what you are looking for, please call 519-631-9900 and ask to speak to your school’s public health nurse, or email us.

Adapted and used with permission of the Community and Health Services Department of The Regional Municipality of York.