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How Does the ComprehensiveSchool Health Model Work?Many different strategies can surround the student andpromote health in a comprehensive way. Healthy schoolsaddress health issues on many levels:

in the classroom in the school environment through policies involvement with teachers and parents.

Consider the example of a school that wants to preventthe spread of illness.It is important to teach studentscorrect hand washing techniques,but these techniqueswill be more effective if there is soap in the washroom,and opportunities are given to wash hands before eating,after recess, etc.

The student is more likely to continue the positive healthbehaviour:

when teachers instruct the students when the school environment and policies are

supportive when parents reinforce the health behaviour

Other illness prevention strategies: Inform teachers/students about the new

coughing/sneezing technique(www.toronto.ca/health/ sleeve_sneeze.htm).

Have school guidelines that ensure adequate soapand towels in washrooms,frequent cleaning ofkeyboards,bathroom fixtures, etc.

Include information in parents newsletters.

Ask your school liaison Public Health Nurse (PHN) forideas and resources to address any health issue in theschool community.

Visit Foundations for a Healthy School for more examplesof comprehensive Healthy School initiatives atwww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/infoTPA.html

In This Issue Bullying Prevention Resources New Canadas Food Guide School Health Committees School,Wheel & Sun Safety Physical Activity Initiatives Summer Recipe School Liaison PHN

Concerned About Your Studen

School staff and families can call Toronto Health Coto speak with a Public Health professional for:

information counselling

support groups links with community resources and

medical/treatment services

Toronto Health Connection deals with parentingand development,healthy eating, immunization,communicable diseases, environmental issues, e

This service is free, confidential and interprcan be accessed as needed.

Toronto Health ConnectionMonday to Friday,8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.416-338-7600www.toronto.ca/health

Working with the Public

Health Nurse and Toronto

Public Health with their

special programs has been wonderful. Working

Toronto Public Health brings new insight and a

dimension to a healthy school environment.

Paul Iron

Principal of Willow ParPublic School (Toronto

the Move,Inner City M

Feel Free to Photocopy!

This newsletter is also available onwww.toronto.ca/health under School Health Services

in the A-Z index.

Fitting Sun Sense Into the SchoolDayIts good for children to be outdoors and active.However, too much exposure to sun can lead to burns,and as they get older skin cancer, premature aging ofthe skin, and eye damage.The health risks associatedwith over-exposure to UV radiation are largelypreventable.With some simple steps, eyes and skincan be protected.

A) Check the daily UV Index forecast:www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/education/uvindex/forecasts/index_e.html

And follow the sun protection actions for that day:www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/education/uvindex/protecting_yourself_e.html

B) Plan organized outdoor activities outside thepeak hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.When peak hours cannot be avoided:

Plan student activities to make use of existingshade

Use portable shade structures (e.g., gazebo tents,umbrellas, etc.)

C) Role model sun safe behaviours

D) Educate students and parents about sun safety,the UV Index and how to protect themselves:

Children's UV Index Sun Awareness Program(Health Canada) : www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/securit/sports/sun-sol/uv-prog/index_e.html

Sun safety awareness ideas in the School SunSafety Information Guide(TPH) & SunburnPrevention and Treatment PlanGrade 6(Toronto Public Health):www.toronto.ca/health/sun/index.htm

EcoSchools School Ground Greening: Designingfor Shade and Energy Conservation: The TDSB version is available at

ecoschools.tdsb.on.ca > Green your SchoolGrounds > Guide for Schools

All other Toronto schools may download theOntario version atwww.yorku.ca/ecoschl/enriching.asp

E) Help develop a sun safety policy at yourschool

Involve administration,teachers,parents andstudents

By making it an important goal to prevent sunburnand protect eyes you will be giving your studentsthe best gift of allhealth for tomorrow.

For more information contact your school liaisonPublic Health Nurse or call Toronto HealthConnection: 416-338-7600.

FUN Summer Recipe

Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie

(Makes 2 servings)

1 container of vanilla yogurt1 cup of assorted fresh, frozen or drained

canned fruit1/2 cup milk (optional)

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend untilsmooth.Pour into glasses and serve.

Bullying Prevention

www.bullying.org www.cyberbullying.ca www.kidshelp.sympatico.ca

or 1-800-668-6868

Many other resources, including these websites, areavailable in the resources:

Lets Stop the Bullying (Toronto District SchoolBoard)

Bullying Awareness and Prevention (TorontoCatholic District School Board)

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What are Other Schools DoingAbout Safety?Safety was recognized as an issue at CentennialRoad P.S. The parent council decided to host acommunity safety day. The school liaison Public HealthNurse linked the school with the Active & Safe Routesto School program.The community safety day beganas a Walk to School event. Students were able tomeet many helping people in the neighbourhood

such as paramedics, fire fighters and police on bikesand horses from the Mounted Police Service.A citycouncillor,school superintendent and school trusteewere also present. Students received information aboutthe environment and bicycle/helmet and traffic safety.

To address other safety issues, the school partneredwith the Red Cross to offer a babysitting trainingcourse for students. The school is also planning anAt Home Alone session facilitate d by Toronto PublicHealth staff. This session supports families in preparingtheir children (10-14 years) to stay home alone safely.Plans are also being made to address internet safetyissues.

Your school liaison PHN is available to provide supportand resources regarding safety and injury prevention.

Wheel Safety and Your Students

Did you know? Cyclists under 18 years of age are required by

law to wear an approved bicycle helmet. In-line skating, scootering and skate boarding

have similar risks for injury as cycling. 85% of head injuries can be prevented by simply

wearing a properly fitted helmet.

Helmets are essential for all wheeledsports activities.

Promoting Wheel Safety

The Young Cyclist Guide - Safe riding for beginner cyclist to 12 years.- Tips on buying a helmet and use- Helmet law in Ontario- Rules of the road- Interaction with traffic- Where to ride safely

> Ministry of Transportation:416-235-3473

www.mto.gov.on.ca

Wheeled Sports Resources- Bike helmets- Ride safe top tips- Bike injuries and statistics- Frequently asked questions

> SafeKids Canada:1-888-723-3847www.safekidscanada.ca

CAN-BIKE - Cycling news and courses focyclists and adults

> CAN-BIKE:416-392-1311 www.toronto.c

Wheel Safety display and pamphlet for g4-6.The display focuses on:

- Promoting correct helmet use- Wearing the right safety equipment f

wheeled sports

> Ask your school liaison Public Health Nursmore information.

New and Improved!

The new Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide is nowavailable from Health Canada.

For copies and interactive tools:www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide1-866-225-0709

Ask your school liaison PHN for more nutrition resources.

Kids Caf Inspires ChefsThe issuePrincipal Lillian Kurnick, Holy Angels Catholic Schoolwants to help students learn about healthy andnutritious snack choices.

Working togetherToronto Public Health (TPH) nutrition staff providedworkshops for students in grades 4-8.Students createdhealthy living posters, got physically active, made healthysnacks,learned about nutrition and kitchen safety.Theschool liaison Public Health Nurse worked with schoolstaff,TPH nutrition staff,university students and parentsto introduce an after school snack club for students ingrades 4-6.

Action

Teacher Joanne Murzydlo, with the support of TPHstaff,university students and parent volunteers,launched the Kids Caf Club in January 2006.

The goals of this six week food skills program were to: teach students how to prepare healthy snacks promote the healthy weights philosophy,

Be active, eat well and be yourself.

Its a winnerAn evaluation found that all the students would like toparticipate in a program like this again and half thestudents tried the recipes at home.

Next stepsYouth leaders (trained by TPH staff) announce healthyPA messages,maintain a health topic bulletin boardand lead Daily Physical Activity. Youth leaders will be

trained by nursing students to lead nutrition and physicalactivities in the Kids Caf program.

This school community is moving in a healthy directionwith future planning meetings that include school staff,parents, students, school liaison PHN and communitypartners.

IWALK for the Fall

Start the school year on the right foot by having anIWALK event during International Walk to SchoolMonth in October. Plans are underway to organize aRecord Breaking Walk to school on October 3rd.

IWALK addresses the issues of physical activity, safercommunities and environmental health.

Toronto Public Health, in partnership with the GreenCommunities Association,continues to promote activeand safe transportation to and from school.

Join more than three million students worldwide whoare expected to participate this year.Families and theschool community can discover the simple joy ofwalking to school together.

Students at Cassandra Public School were thrilled tohave an IWALK event at their school last fall. Festivitiesincluded: a walk to school to celebrate the newlyinstalled Walking Route signs; bike safety reviews bythe school Police Liaison Officer and safety patrollers;and the raising of the Elmer flag by the kindergartenchildren. Special guests included the MPP, city councillor,school trustee, parents and police.Students especiallyloved the visit from Duke, a 19 year-old veteran chest-nut horse from the Toronto Mounted Police Service.

www.saferoutestoschool.ca (follow links to IWALK) contact your school liaison Public Health Nurse

Invite Your School Liaison PublicHealth Nurse to Your HealthCommitteeYour school liaison Public Health Nurse (PHN) cansupport your committee regarding issues from nutritionto bullying prevention.

Your school liaison PHN can: consult provide resources link the school with community agencies and work with the committee on the planning and

implementation of comprehensive health initiatives.Health committees work well with input from teachers,students, school support staff, parents, the schoolliaison PHN and representatives from the community.

If you are unsure who your school liaison PHN is callToronto Health Connection: 416-338-7600