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What is the Healthy Schools Recognition Program?

In response to the increasing number of schools providing opportunities for students to observe and learn positive health attitudes and behaviours, the Healthy Schools Recognition Program promotes and celebrates these efforts made by Ontario's schools. Schools pledge to take on healthy activities and, in return, receive recognition for them. Schools can start a new activity or build on an existing one.

The Premier, Minister of Education and Minister of Health Promotion will recognize participating schools with a certificate and pennant. A list of participating schools will also be posted on the Ministry of Education's website.

Who is the Program for?

Any publicly funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario is encouraged to participate in the Healthy Schools Recognition Program.

Why Should Your School Participate?

Research shows that healthy children are better learners. In addition, a healthy school environment supports student success. Students, teachers and the larger community benefit when children learn in a healthy school.

How Can Your School Participate?

Step 1: Identify your school's healthy activity
Together, your school principal, students, parents, staff and community partners are encouraged to identify at least one healthy activity.

Step 2: Complete and sign the acceptance form
Your school principal, school council chair and student representative (where applicable) work together to complete and sign the Healthy Schools Recognition Program Acceptance Form which can be found here.

Step 3: Submit the completed form to your school board
Your school must send the completed acceptance form to the school board – to the attention of the Director of Education for their review.

Step 4: Review the Healthy Schools Recognition Program Acceptance Forms
The Director of Education (or authorized school board official) will review the acceptance form. He or she will confirm the initiatives are appropriate and consistent with board policy and guidelines. This also gives the school board the opportunity to see what great things schools are doing before it is posted on the Ministry of Education's website.

Step 5: Submit the form to the Ministry of Education
The Director of Education (or authorized school board official) will be responsible for forwarding the school's acceptance form to the Ministry of Education.

The school board can send the form in three different ways:

By email: healthy.schools@ontario.ca

By fax:(416) 325-4344

By mail:
Policy and Program Branch
c/o Healthy Schools Recognition Program
Ministry of Education
15th Floor, Mowat Block
900 Bay Street, Toronto ON M7A 1L2

Adapted from the Ontario Ministry of Education