The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is pleased to provide the following programs and services in partnership with elementary schools and school boards in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka.

1. 2016 / 2017
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Programs &
Services
for Elementary Schools
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is pleased to
provide the following programs and services in partnership
with elementary schools and school boards in Simcoe
County and the District of Muskoka.
Substance
Use
Mental
Health
Personal
Safety
Healthy
Physical
ActivityDental
ScreeningHealthy
EatingHealthy
Schools
Health Connection
Health Connection is a free confidential health information and advice
service for residents and visitors to Simcoe County and the District
of Muskoka. Available by phone, email, Facebook and Twitter, Health
Connection is staffed by public health nurses and inspectors who can
help you.
To assist you in getting the information and resources you need, public health
professionals are available through Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or
1-877-721-7520.
Growth

2. Healthy Schools
We work with schools to
increase school health
using the Ministry of
Education’s Foundations
for a Healthy School
as a guide.
We offer:
ll School Outreach Visits to discuss school
health-related strengths, needs and issues.
ll Action Planning to address identified health
issues.
ll Support to Schools involving staff, students,
and parents. We can assist schools to
address issues, connect with other health
unit and community services, apply for
healthy schools funding opportunities, and
more.

3. Healthy Eating
We support schools
with planning and
implementing activities to
support healthy eating
Programs and Services include:
ll Eat Well to Excel (Simcoe County),
Student Nutrition Programs
(Muskoka): dietitians are
available to consult with school
staff or volunteers about their
programs.
ll Bright Bites: Boost school
nutrition, receive recognition, one
bite at a time.
ll School Food and Beverage
Policy: support with implement-
ation.
ll Food Safety Education: for
parents, staff & students at
school functions, including inter-
active home kitchen display and
handouts.
Dental Health
ll Dental Screening (for students in
selected grades).
ll Preventive Clinics: services
including fluorides, pit and fissure
sealants and scaling. Parent/
guardian consent is needed prior to
treatment.
ll Coverage for Dental Care: for
children identified with urgent
dental conditions or whose families
meet financial eligibility require-
ments.
ll Oral Health Education: “Alex the
Alligator” teaches students the
importance of tooth brushing and
good oral hygiene.

4. Physical Activity
ll P.A.L.S. & Healthy P.A.L.S. programs:
encourage students to participate in fun and safe
playground activities. School staff are trained to
supervise the program and junior and interme-
diate students are trained to act as playground
activity leaders.
We work with students, staff
and parents on physical
activity initiatives such as
increasing physical literacy,
daily physical activity (DPA)
and the creation of naturalized
outdoor play spaces.

5. Substance Use,
Addictions and Related Behaviours
Information, resources
and supports are available
related to topics such
as tobacco, alcohol
and substance misuse
prevention.
ll Race against Drugs is a community based drug and alcohol
awareness program for Grade 5 students. Students move
through a series of interactive pit stops to learn key messages
about the importance of a drug and alcohol free lifestyle.
ll Truth & Consequences: Drug & Alcohol Awareness Conference
available as an event or teachers van choose to use lesson plans
(available online).
ll 100% Smoke-Free School Grounds Requirement: the
Smoke-Free Ontario Act requires that school property is
100% smoke-free 24 hours a day 7 days a week, year round.
This applies to all students, staff, and visitors. The health unit
provides signage to post on school property and by offers infor-
mation and resources that can be used to communicate with
the school community. Tobacco Enforcement Officers inspect
schools to check for compliance with the law.
Respect Action Courage Excellence
100% SMOKE-FREE
GROUNDS

6. Mental Health
Promoting positive mental
health by increasing
protective factors
resiliency among students,
while decreasing risk
factors, inequities, and
discrimination.
ll Can You Feel It? Stress Workshop (grades 6-8): helps
students build the necessary life skills to manage and
cope with the stress in their everyday lives. (available
online)
ll Roots of Empathy: students learn about healthy rela-
tationships, emotional literacy and empathy through
observing and interacting with a newborn baby.

7. Personal Safety and
Injury Prevention
We can help schools
promote safety and
prevent injury and illness
among students, staff and
the school community.
ll Information and resources are
available on topics such as:
sun safety, pedestrian safety,
vehicle safety (e.g. booster seats,
safe transportation), and sport/
recreation safety (e.g. playground
safety, helmet and bike safety, and
wheeled activities).
ll Idling Reduction: schools can
request our support to raise
awareness of adverse health
effects and environmental impacts
of idling through initiatives like the
“Turn It Off” Campaign. Resources
are also available to help teachers
incorporate climate change and
idling reduction into their lessons.
ll Rabies Prevention: information is
available for use in the classroom
or at school events. Schools can
request for health unit staff to visit
with a rabies display and student
activity book.
ll Infectious Disease: the health
unit investigates reportable
diseases and outbreaks of
illness in schools, offer is health
education and follow up with staff,
students and families who may
be affected. Information is also
available on infection prevention
and control, student and staff
exclusion periods, cleaning and
disinfecting, personal protection
and hand hygiene.

8. Healthy Growth and
Development
We partner with schools to
promote healthy messaging
related to parenting, human
development, sexual health
and immunization.
ll Parenting Education: including Triple P Positive
Parenting Program for families with children between the
ages of 0 and 16.
ll Immunization Records: the health unit is required by
law to collect and assess immunization records of all
students.
ll School Immunization Clinics: offered for Gr.7 students
(Hepatitis B and Meningococcal A, C, W, Y conjugate
vaccines) and Gr. 8 female students (Human Papilloma-
virus vaccine).
ll Sexual Health Curriculum: consultation and
resources are available.