Healthy Schools Newsletter for Educators
From Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

October 2022

 In this Issue:

  1. 2SLGBTQI+ Resources and Supports
  2. Bullying Prevention
  3. National Teen Driver Safety Week

Welcome to the October HPEPH Healthy Schools Newsletter!

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

2SLGBTQI+ Supports and Resources

Most Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (2SLGBTQI+) youth are happy and thrive during their adolescent years. Having a school that creates a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and having caring and accepting parents are especially important. Positive environments can help all youth achieve good grades and maintain good mental and physical health. However, some 2SLGBTQI+ youth are more likely to experience negative health and life outcomes. 2SLGBTQI+ youth are more likely to experience bullying and other aggression in school.

For youth to thrive at home, in school and community, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe and supported. To help students feel safe and supported, educators can be important LGBTQ2+ Allies! One of the key ways to be an ally is to support 2SLGBTQI+ students in your school. Wondering how?

  • Be a visible ally.
  • Use affirming and inclusive language.
  • Support students who come out to you.
  • Intervene when you witness anti-2SLGBTQI+ language and behaviors.
  • Support inclusive student clubs, such as Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs).
  • Be there for them in a safe, respectful and helpful way.

For more tips, visit egale.ca

School staff and education resources

  • Anti-2SLGBTQI Cyberbullying: A resource for educators - This resource highlights the disproportionate harm that 2SLGBTQI+ young people face as a result of cyberbullying. It offers educators and school staff a range of practical strategies for prevention and intervention that respond to the specific context of anti-2SLGBTQI+ bias, discrimination and violence within the school community, online and beyond.
  • LGBTQ Inclusive School Place Starts
  • Genderbread Person 4.0. - A teaching tool for breaking the big concept of gender down into bite-sized, digestible pieces.
  • Egale - Resources and research that provides reliable & up-to-date tools and information for 2SLGBTQI+ people & communities, service providers, schools, and companies.

For more curriculum supports, visit our Human Development and Sexual Health resources for Educators page.

Home school connection resources

The most important way that parents and families can help their gay or transgender children is to support them. This helps their 2SLGBTQI+ child develop a deep sense of self-worth and self-esteem. The following resources can help parents and families support their 2SLGBTQI+ child.

  • Trans Lifeline - Toll free and anonymous. Provide a family and friends support hotline that families, friends, partners and professionals can call to get support/resources for trans people. Call 1-877-330-6366.
  • Rainbow Caregivers Network - A peer support group for people who care for individuals who identify within the 2SLGTBQI+ community (eg. Parents, grandparents, teachers or care providers). (613-849-4641)
  • Egale - Information about supporting your gender diverse child.
  • Prevnet - Information about bullying in the 2SLGTBQI+ youth population and how parents can help.

Suggested social media and newsletter inserts

  • Visit our website for newsletter inserts, morning announcement messages and sample social media posts on the topic of 2SLGBTQI+ Resources and Supports.

Bullying Prevention

Violence and bullying can have detrimental impacts on the short and long-term health of children and youth. The negative effects of violence and bullying can include depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, substance use and addiction, social impacts, and more. Bullying, including physical, verbal, and social or cyber abuse, can be an ongoing issue for children and youth.

A whole school approach is the most effective way to prevent violence and bullying and promote optimal learning. Through fostering a safe, inclusive and accepting school environment that promotes positive and healthy relationships, students learn positive relationship skills and attitudes.

Consider using the following resources to start discussions with your students about what they can do to prevent and respond to bullying – at home, with friends, at school and online.

School staff and education resources

 

Home-school connection resources

 

  • What Parents Need to Know – PREVNet – Information for parents about bullying and their role in preventing it
  • Pre-School Children – PREVNet – Overview of pre-school bullying and strategies parents can use to prevent it
  • Elementary School Children – PREVNet – Strategies parents can use to prevent bullying and what they can do if they have concerns that their child is being bullied
  • Adolescents – PREVNet – Information on the signs your teenager is being bullied, how parents can help their child if they are being bullied and strategies parents can implement if their teen is bullying others
  • Bullying – We Can All Help Stop It – Ministry of Education – Information for parents about what schools and the Ministry of Education are doing to prevent bullying as well as what parents can do to help.

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 youth program.

Suggested social media and newsletter inserts

  • Visit our website for newsletter inserts, morning announcement messages and sample social media posts on the topic of Bullying Prevention

National Teen Driver Safety Week

National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW) is coming soon! From October 16th to 22nd, Parachute Canada will be leading a campaign designed to build awareness about teen driver safety issues, with a focus on distracted driving. The campaign will also include key messages about impaired driving, aggressive driving, speeding, and rail safety.

In people aged 15 to 24, road crashes are the third-leading cause of death in Canada, with young people being killed at a higher rate than any other age group under 75. In order to stop these preventable deaths, NTDSW encourages everyone to be a part of the solution.

Join the conversation by sharing HPEPH’s upcoming NTDSW social media content and share Parachute Canada’s key messages with students at your school. For more information, visit: https://parachute.ca/en/program/national-teen-driver-safety-week/

 

Suggested social media and newsletter inserts

  • Visit our website for newsletter inserts, morning announcement messages and sample social media posts on the topic of National Teen Driver Safety Week.
 

Encourage your colleagues to subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter and receive updated resources and information directly from HPEPH. HPEPH will also provide updated resources directly to school administrators for distribution to staff before the return to school.

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Contact Information: 

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Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.

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