Lifeworks understands the importance of working with schools to promote its key messages- eat well, be active and be smoke-free.
Every year, we financially support a number of school-based health promotion programs in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, which are designed to address key risk factors- smoking, nutrition, and physical activity.
Grade 4 “Tobacco-Free Living” Poster contest
The “Tobacco-Free Living” Poster Contest is a comprehensive program that encourages Grade 4 students across Hastings and Prince Edward counties to create posters describing the effects of first or second-hand smoke, or the advantages of being smoke-free.
This program provides students with the opportunity to learn about the negative health effects of smoking, second-hand smoke and refusal skills which will hopefully allow them to make smart, educated choices and be tobacco free for life.
The poster contest addresses the Substance Abuse Unit of the Health and Physical Education curriculum expectations as well as meeting several language and art curriculum components.
The 4th annual “Tobacco-Free Living” Poster Contest concluded in May 2008. Over 280 local students entered. Look for more information for next contest in spring 2009.
Eat Smart! Schools
Now you can have it all! LifeWorks together with your local Health Unit, is pleased to offer the Eat Smart! program in Hastings and Prince Edward counties.
What is Eat Smart! School program?
Eat Smart! is a program that recognizes schools that meet exceptional standards in nutrition, safe food handling, and a smoke-free environment. When you dine at an Eat Smart! premise you will find:
- a variety of healthier food choices on the menu and by request, including whole grains, vegetables and fruit, lower fat options and substitutions
- an excellent track record in food safety based on the requirements of Ontario’s Food Premises Regulation and at least one full time kitchen employee certified in safe food handling
- compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (2005) and not sell tobacco products or accessories
Eat Smart! Schools
Making healthy food choices available to students is a huge step in the right direction for student health. Research shows that schools provide the opportunity to reach children and adolescents with nutrition information and opportunities for healthy eating.
When the schools offer healthy choices, this makes it easier for students, teachers and other school staff to select and benefit from a variety of healthy foods. School curriculum provides students with information about Canada's Food Guide and this learning is reinforced when healthy choices are available in the school. Since healthy students learn better, everyone benefits from making healthy eating easier.
Students in Hastings & Prince Edward counties now have healthier choices in their schools. Fifteen schools currently hold the Eat Smart! school award offering healthier choices in their cafeterias. Schools with cafeterias will receive an information package and application for the upcoming school year in early fall.
For information call:
Denika Andrews, Public Health Dietitian: (613) 966-5513 ext. 293. If long distance, call toll-free at 1-800-267-2803.
Shannon Del Grosso, Health Promoter: (613) 966-5513 ext. 320. If long distance, call toll-free at 1-800 267-2803 ext. 320.
School Nutrition Policy
The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has implemented a set of comprehensive nutrition guidelines and the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board has recently released a nutrition policy in May 2008. These policies provide consistent nutrition messaging that promotes creating a healthy school nutrition environment. LifeWorks has assisted in the development of these documents and provides a variety of resources to help schools with implementation.
LifeWorks supports schools in creating a healthy school nutrition environment through:
- Staff and parent workshops on creating a healthy school nutrition environment are offered to all schools.
- Curriculum-based classroom kits that address the topics of nutrition and body image are available for loan.
- Fact sheets, pamphlets, displays and other nutrition promotional items are available for distribution.
- A registered dietitian is available to consult with schools and work with them on nutrition initiatives.
A Healthy Active School Community provides a supportive environment for health and learning. It involves a holistic approach in which all members of the school community including administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community partners work together to develop an environment/culture that supports, promotes and models healthy active lifestyles. Creating a safe and supportive environment, developing healthy school policies, enhancing personal skills for health (such as problems solving, leadership and conflict resolution), are all pieces of this holistic approach. When all these elements are brought together, many positive outcomes occur for health, well-being and learning.
Since the pilot in 2002, the number of schools participating in the HASC initiative has grown to include 41 schools from the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) and the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (ALCDSB).
For more information:
Visit the Healthy Active School Communities website at:
http://www.hpedsb.on.ca/ec/services/cst/elementary/healthphysed/hasc/index.html
or call:
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
Contact: Ian Boyd
Phone: 613-966-1170 ext. 2308
E-mail: iboyd@hpedsb.on.ca
Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit
Contact: Sharon Osterhout
Phone: 613-966-5513 ext. 358
E-mail: sosterhout@hpechu.on.ca
Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
Contact: Sharon MacNamara-Traversan
Phone: 613-354-6257 ext. 461
Physical Activity
Young people can build healthy bodies and establish healthy lifestyles by including physical activity in their daily lives. However, many young people are not physically active on a regular basis, and physical activity declines dramatically during adolescence. Positive experiences with physical activity at a young age help lay the basis for being regularly active throughout life. School communities can help by integrating physical activity into every aspect of school life.
Daily Physical Activity (DPA)
DPA is not only a provincial mandate for Ontario schools, it is also a great opportunity to help improve student's health and well-being, and to have some fun!
The Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit, through its partnership in the LifeWorks School Working Group, supports local schools in meeting DPA requirements by:.
- Providing free DPA training workshops for teachers and school councils.
- Providing free after-school skill-building workshops for teachers and support staff.
- Providing a free lending library for teachers that includes DPA kits and resources.
Each weekday Canadian young people are averaging 5-6 hours of screen time and this climbs to 6-7.5 hours per day on the weekend. Time spent watching TV, playing video games and surfing the Internet is time that could be spent on more active pursuits alone or with family and friends.
The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that school-aged children spend no more than 2 hours/day in front of a screen. We need to teach our young people how to plan their screen time and how to turn off the screens when they are done viewing.
Why not organize a Pause to Play Challenge at your school? All of the resources needed to run this healthy challenge are available by clicking on the link below.
For more information on the above programs or physical activity in our schools contact Jennifer Ronan at 613-966-5513 ext. 621 or by e-mail at jronan@hpechu.on.ca
Related Links:
Resources:
- DPA Together We Can Make It Happen Resource Kit
- DPA Together We Can Make It Happen Ideas for Everyone
- DPA – Together We Can Make It Happen DVD Order Form
- Pause to Play Package
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