Healthy Schools Newsletter for Educators
From Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

June 2023

 In this Issue:

1. Sun safety and outdoor play!

2. June is Pride Month!

3. Let's go to Kindergarten!

4. Vision

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

Sun safety and outdoor play

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Canada and is highly preventable. Childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) contributes to the development of skin cancer in later life. Children may be at greater risk from sun exposure compared to adults, since children have thinner and more sensitive skin. Children’s eyes also have a lower capability to filter UVR.

Schools can play a major role in minimizing student exposure to UVR (the highest risk is between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.) and in both establishing and maintaining sun safety habits for a lifetime.

School staff and education resources

June is Pride Month

Celebrate Pride!

Pride month is dedicated to honouring the voices and contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ (2-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and those who identify with the acronym but not any of the specific identities listed) folks and bringing attention to the issues they continue to face. Pride celebrates the identities, achievements, and resilience of people who identify as 2SLGBTQI+. It is called ‘Pride’ because it is meant to encourage the self-affirmation of the community, increase its visibility, and honor the activists who have and continue to fight for the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ folks.

Pride celebrations include parades, workshops, classes, shows, concerts, and other events that occur annually in the month of June, here in Ontario and around the world. The month consists of both political activism and a celebration of 2SLGBTQI+ culture.

How will your school celebrate Pride month? We encourage you to use the month to consider how can you provide a more inclusive school environment.

School staff and education resources

Let's go to Kindergarten

Let’s go to Kindergarten: helping children identify and manage stress as they start kindergarten.

It’s that time of year – kindergarten orientations! Starting kindergarten can bring excitement but can also be a stressful time for some children and parents/caregivers. It is a big transition for little learners! As educators, you know that the mental health and well-being of a child begins in the early years. A child’s kindergarten transition experiences are essential to their school success and their physical and emotional growth and development. Browse through the resources listed below to help you create a kindergarten room that supports the mental health of young learners. Home-school connection resources can be shared with parents/caregivers to help them prepare for this important transition.

School staff and education resources

Home-school connection resources

Vision

An eye exam with an Optometrist is free of charge to those with a valid OHIP card, once every 12 months, up to the age of 19. To find a local Optometrist, visit the Ontario Association of Optometrists website www.optom.on.ca or call their toll-free number at 1-800-540-3837.

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Contact Information: 

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

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