Healthy Schools Newsletter for Educators
From Hastings Prince Edward Public Health


October 13, 2021

 In this Issue:

  1. Violence and Bullying Prevention
  2. Parent and Family Engagement in Schools
  3. Mental Illness Awareness
  4. COVID-19 Updates

Welcome to October’s HPEPH Healthy Schools Newsletter!

Each month over the course of the school year, we will issue a Healthy Schools Newsletter which will highlight a few timely and relevant School Health topics. Newsletters will include general information, curriculum supports and other resources to support communication with students and families.

We invite you to encourage your colleagues to subscribe to this newsletter to receive up-to-date and timely information from HPEPH.

Violence and Bullying Prevention

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying, including physical, verbal, social or cyber abuse, can be a relentless issue for children and youth. Bullying can have detrimental impacts on both the short and long-term health and well-being of children and youth. The damaging effects of bullying can include depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, substance use and addiction, physical ailments including headaches and stomach aches, and more.

A whole school approach is the most effective way to prevent bullying and promote optimal learning. A collaborative approach with everyone working together to create a safe, inclusive and accepting school promotes positive and healthy relationships for students. When adults model healthy relationships, children learn positive relationship skills and attitudes.

School Staff and Education Resources

Home-School Connection Resources

If you are receiving questions from parents/caregivers that should be answered by public health, they can call us at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803.

Additional Resources

  • Kids Help Phone – For immediate support, children and youth can connect with a counsellor through text, phone, messenger, live chat or find a local program.

Suggested Social Media Messages for Use with School Families

  • Find suggested messages on this topic for your school to use on social media, morning announcements, and school newsletters on our Newsletters and Social Media page (password: schools).

Parent and Family Engagement in Schools

Engagement with parents, caregivers, and families has a significant impact on children’s academic and developmental goals, as well as their health and well-being. Below you will find resources to help you engage parents, families and caregivers in their child’s learning experience.

School Staff and Education Resources

We know schools are working hard to support parent engagement, and that engagement with parents can be particularly challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Did you know that evidence shows home-based activities can help contribute to student achievement? Parent/family engagement does not need to be limited to School Council or Parent Involvement Committee but can also include supporting students with schoolwork, encouraging parents to communicate with teachers, discussing the importance of reading together, and more.

For ideas and activities:

  • People for Education provide home-based activities that can help engage with parents/caregivers.
  • Search Institute Keep Connected Program offers schools support to help build strong relationships with parents and families. Their goal is to strengthen relationships to help kids be and become their best selves. Webinars are available to learn more about engaging parents and families through relationships.
  • Parent Engagement: Strategies for Involving Parents in School Health toolkit describes strategies for increasing parent engagement in school. To increase parent engagement schools must 1) connect with parents; 2) provide activities and opportunities to engage with parents; and 3) work with parents to sustain their engagement by addressing barriers and challenges.

To increase parent engagement schools must

  1. connect with parents;
  2. provide activities and opportunities to engage with parents; and
  3. work with parents to sustain their engagement by addressing barriers and challenges.

Home-School Connection Resources

The Council of Ontario Directors of Education has produced a series of resources to support home-school engagement, with input from parents across Ontario. These resources are intended to help families guide their children in learning skills that are essential for success at school and throughout life.

If you are receiving questions from parents/caregivers that should be answered by public health, they can call us at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803.

Additional Resources

  • Let’s go to Kindergarten! Information and tips that parents can use to prepare their child for kindergarten.
  • School Age Children and Youth - Parents and caregivers play a key role in helping their children develop and maintain behaviors that will contribute to a healthy life. Public Health can provide parents and caregivers with information and resources to help encourage children to make healthy choices.

Suggested Social Media and Newsletter Messages for Use with School Families

Find suggested messages on this topic for your school to use on social media, morning announcements, and school newsletters on our Newsletters and Social Media page (password: schools).

Mental Illness Awareness

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national campaign designed to help raise awareness about mental illness. MIAW took place on October 3-9, 2021. Dedicated awareness weeks like these help us to purposely take time to think and learn about important topics or issues. Even though MIAW was at the start of October and the specific dates have passed, we can still take a moment to educate ourselves about mental illness (and mental health) and how they impact children and youth.

School Staff and Education Resources

Home-School Connection Resources

Help Secondary Students to Share their Voice through #HearNowON

Educators, you can help secondary students to share their voice about mental health. Together, School Mental Health Ontario and Wisdom 2 Action have launched #HearNowON for 2021, an initiative with Ontario secondary school students to help better understand their needs, perspectives, and priorities when it comes to school mental health and well-being.

Encourage students to fill out the survey and/or sign up for virtual forums.

COVID-19 Updates

School Staff and Education Resources

Home-School Connection Resources

If you are receiving questions from parents/caregivers that should be answered by public health, they can be directed to hpePublicHealth.ca/back-to-school-planning-parents. Enquiries can also be sent by email through our online form.

Evidence-informed information about school health topics can help parents and caregivers to make informed decisions about caring for their child. HPEPH is committed to helping schools share this information with parents and caregivers, with the goal of encouraging parent engagement and raising awareness about evidence-based resources.

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Contact Information: 

To give us your comments about this e-newsletter: hart.sara@hpeph.ca

For other questions about Healthy Schools: healthyschools@hpeph.ca 

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