Physical Literacy Education

• A public health representative lead workshop with interactive activities where students learn the importance of physical literacy and how to be active in their everyday life.

Story Kits, Play Packs, and Playground stencils

• Story Kits, Play Packs, and Playground stencils are filled with literacy and movement goodies that can be checked out for weeks to get students up and moving! For more information or to sign out kits contact any Chatham-Kent Public Library.

Club V&F:  SALAD BAR PROGRAM

• How about offering students a salad bar option for special lunch days! CK Public Health provides funding for equipment and staff facilitate a 2-hour training on food skills focusing on vegetables and fruit and simple preparation techniques to set up salad bars.  Applications are sent to the schools in October and training starts between November and January.

YOUTH FOOD SKILLS TRAINING

• CK Public Health offers a two-hour session for schools facilitated by public health staff where students learn simple cooking techniques with a focus on vegetables and fruit, simple meals and food preparation skills.  The students trained can help prepare and serve food for the student nutrition program, farm to school or salad bars. Schools are asked to cover the cost of food supplies and a kitchen space is required.

BRIGHT BITES (Grades K-8)

Available in French and English, Bright Bites is a fun, modern way to boost student nutrition and wellness in your classroom and school. Teachers and other school leaders can use Bright Bites resources to guide their students to promote nutrition in their classroom and school. Schools can earn badges in the following areas:

• Student Food Preparation
• School Lunches and Snacks
• Edible Gardens
• Innovative Ideas
• Nutrition Campaigns
• Rewards and Incentives
• Hot Lunch Programs
• Vegetable and Fruit Promotion
• Water and Sugary Drinks
• Celebrations
• Fundraising
• Special Events
• Teaching and Healthy Eating Curriculum

SCHOOL GARDENS

• Is your school interested in growing fresh vegetables and fruit in your schoolyard? With almost half of schools supported, CK Public Health provides startup funding and support to get a garden started at your school.  Applications are sent to schools in March.

STUDENT NUTRITION PROGRAM

• A healthy breakfast and/or snack is provided for students at every school across CK. Each student nutrition program is unique to meet the needs of the students and is operated by staff and volunteers.

VEGGIE and FRUIT PROGRAM

• As part of the program, Tasty Tuesday in Ontario, during March to June, the student nutrition programs offers vegetables and fruit that are centrally purchased and delivered directly to the school.   

SCHOOL FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICY

• CK Public Health provides staff support to review food and beverages sold to students in schools to meet PPM 150 Food and Beverage Policy set out by Ministry of Education.  Talk to your school Principal if you are interested in reviewing the list of approved items.

Understanding and Reducing Harms of Substance Use Workshop

• A Public Health Nurse or Public Health Educator will work with students to learn about a variety of substances (such as alcohol, cannabis, prescription drugs, vaping, tobacco etc.) and the potential health and social harms associated with risky substance use behaviours. Students will learn tangible strategies to reduce risks and prevent problematic substance use, as well as promote strengths to enhance their health and well-being. Understanding the risks and harms of problematic substance use are evidence-based strategies that provide youth with the tools needed to make informed decisions.
• Program content meets expectations for the Health and Physical Education Curriculum for primary grades 5-8, and secondary grades 9-12. Material is adapted to meet learning needs based on age and grade, as well as specific school requests or concerns. 60-90 minutes including time for discussion and questions.

Talking Substance Use with Youth Workshop

• A Public Health Nurse will work with educators and school staff to provide education and enhance understanding of a variety of substances (such as alcohol, cannabis, prescription drugs, vaping, tobacco, etc.) and problematic substance use behaviours. This workshop will include practical ways youth allies can create safe, supportive spaces for youth, as well as provide support for youth allies to have judgement-free conversations about substance use with youth. The information and resources used in this workshop are youth-centred and developed or informed by youth and youth allies. This program can be adapted for parent/caregiver audiences as well. 60-90 minutes including time for discussion and questions.

Cannabis: What Educators Need to Know

• A free resource developed in collaboration by School Mental Health ASSIST, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Ministry of Education to provide information and support to educators and schools around the legalization of non-medical cannabis. Accessible online on the Ministry of Education website. 

Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know

• A free resource developed in collaboration by School Mental Health ASSIST, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Ministry of Education to provide information and support to parents/guardians and caregivers of youth in grades 6-12 about cannabis, cannabis legalization, risks, signs of a problem, and where to get help and more information.

Strategies for Parents to Prevent or Delay Alcohol and Other Drug Use

• An educational resource developed by the Southwest Regional Public Health Rethink Your Drinking Collaborative for parents/guardians and caregivers of youth in grades 4-6. A Public Health Nurse can provide a train the trainer style workshop for school staff on the six strategies to prevent or delay alcohol and other drug use in youth, as well as provide an educational workshop directly to parent/caregiver groups. Other Rethink Your Drinking Parents Matter resources and information can be found online at no cost.

Educator and Parent/Caregiver Resource Package

• A take-home package of user-friendly mental health and substance use prevention resources, including communication tools, educational posters, fact sheets, community agency information, youth-based messaging, and where to go both locally and online for help and support. Educators and schools can request these packages to display and use in the library, office, or classroom, as well as provide to parent/caregivers who request information or support. CK Public Health will continually update the information included in the packages and replace any materials that are distributed on an as needed basis. 

SFOA Diversion Program

• • Students caught smoking and/or vaping in contravention of the Smoke Free Ontario Act (2017) can participate in a PHU led educational session in lieu of being fined. Students must be referred by school administration to a PHU Tobacco Enforcement Officer to qualify

Concussions

• Brain Waves (Grade 4 to 6) An interactive workshop based on the “Brain Day” program created by Parachute Canada. In this 90-minute session, students learn about neurons and brain anatomy, functions of the brain, protecting the brain, concussions and helmet safety.

UV Radiation

• UV Detecting Beads – CK Public Health provides UV detecting beads and lesson plans to teach your students about Ultraviolet (UV) light and sun safety!

Impaired Driving

• Experience the Evidence Video! Arrive alive DRIVE SOBER® has partnered with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario and CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) to create “Experience the Evidence”, a 13-minute road safety resource offered to schools for free to address the myths, dangers, consequences and facts about drug-impaired driving

Fall Prevention

• Safety Superhero’s – CK Public Health can supply your school with resources from the Safety Superhero’s program including, books, activates and handouts. The Safety Superhero’s program is designed to promote an integrated approach to fall prevention, since preventing falls is something everyone can help with!

Rail Safety

• CrossSAFE – Two year program offered by Parachute Canada and Transport Canada, to promote safe behaviours around railways for children, teens and parents. Program includes free downloadable resources, grant opportunities and campaign materials. For more information or to join the CrossSAFE initiative email info@parachutecanada.org

Cycling Safety

• Guide To Ride – Guide to Ride is a FREE resource for teachers or after school leaders of children in grades 4, 5 or 6 to promote safe cycling through PHE Canada. This classroom based, teacher lead program is an educational tool specifically written for the educational setting. Each grade contains 10 lesson plans designed for use in a classroom setting regardless of whether students have bicycles readily available or not.  Visit phecanada.ca for more information.

CK school nurses and health educators can help staff connect students to mental health services and resources. CK public health representatives are also available to; support school faculty in planning mental health based events and assist in mental health policy and lesson plan development. Special circumstances would be assessed on an individual basis to assist in providing mental health education sessions. For more information related to mental health services, resources and programs contact our school health team at schoolhealth@chatham-kent.ca

ACCESS Open Minds

• Community youth hub brings together existing community partners who are committed to working in a new collaborative and innovative way, offering a “one-stop shop” for young people aged 11-25 and their families looking for mental health support. Call 519.437.6329 or see their website for more information.

Mind Your Mind

• Youth mental health and engagement program that works in partnership with youth, emerging adults and the professionals who serve them to co-develop innovative tools and resources. Resources are designed to promote wellness, reduce stigma, and increase access to community supports, both professional and peer-based. Through active engagement, best practices and technology, youth are encouraged to reach out, get help and give help. Visit the Mind Your Mind website or call 1-866-531-2600.

Beyond the Hurt

Online course offered by the Canadian Red Cross, equip to help learners understand and gain tools to effectively prevent and respond to bullying and harassing incidents in schools, organizations and the community. Program directed for educators, health professionals, community workers, parents, caregiver and other adults who work with children and youth.  

Friends for Life & My Friends Youth Skills

• A 10-week school program that teaches resiliency to grades 4 and 6. The FRIENDS for Life program has a focus on feelings, coping, thoughts, social support networks and problem solving.
• The My FRIENDS Youth Skills for Life goes more in depth on the above-mentioned topics plus additions of mindfulness, confidence, and self-talk.

Both programs are available through the Chatham Kent Community Health Centre, visit www.ckchc.ca or call 519.397.5455 for more information.