Educators play an important role in the health of school communities
A team of health professionals including the school public health nurse, immunization nurses, oral health staff and health protection staff are dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children and youth in all schools in Durham Region. The team strives to achieve optimal health of the entire school community through partnership and collaboration with school boards and schools.
Learn more about the school health team!
| Find your school’s public health nurse |
| Please contact the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 to find out who your school public health nurse is. |
Get support and resources
Your school health team can provide you with support and resources to assist you in teaching the health curriculum and promoting health and well-being in your school. If you would like additional information regarding health topics in your school or would like to borrow interactive, skill-building tools for your classroom, contact us!
Ready to use inserts for your school newsletter or website!
The healthy schools newsletter inserts for parents provide up-to-date information on health-related topics for parents and guardians. Add the inserts below into your school newsletters or on your school website.
Substance use protective factors and skill building
Evidence tells us that the best prevention measures often have nothing to do with substance use at all. Protective factor skill building is one prevention measure that can minimize youth’s risk of substance-related harms. Teachers and trusted adults can help students learn about and practice protective factors that support substance use prevention.
As educators know, school-based efforts to prevent substance-related harms must reflect school communities' unique needs, resources, culture and values. Contact your Durham Region Health Department school assigned public health nurse who can help with the implementation of substance use prevention strategies.
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| Coping with criticism and dealing with feeling of exclusion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Identifying and managing stress | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications, conflict resolution and healthy relationships | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Curriculum connections | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Alcohol
| Curriculum Support |
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Grade 5
**Requires an OPHEA log-in Grade 6 to 8
Grade 9 to 12
*Resources available through your public health nurse. |
| Helpful links |
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Cannabis
| Educator resources | ||||
*Resources available through your school’s public health nurse.
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| Student resources | ||||
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| Parent resources | ||||
*Resources available through your school’s public health nurse. |
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| Cessation and support | ||||
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Concussions and injury prevention
| Helpful links |
Durham health statistics
| Helpful links |
| Durham health stats |
Healthy routines
| Healthy eating and food safety | ||||||
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| Physical activity and sedentary time | ||||||
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| Sun safety | ||||||
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| Interactive activities | ||||||
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There are several interactive activities available from Durham Region Health Department. Please contact your school’s public health nurse if you would like further information on any of the activities below. Primary grades
Grades 7 to 12
Other interactive activities
*These activities are available in English and French |
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| Other resources available | ||||||
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Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) offers several resources to promote healthy routines for students! The resources below are available for download and use in print-friendly format.
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Healthy sexuality
| Curriculum support |
| Human Development and Sexual Health Educator Resources |
Infectious diseases prevention and control
| Curriculum support |
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| Helpful links |
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Monthly chickenpox reporting form
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Mental health promotion
| Curriculum support |
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Educators are encouraged to use School Mental Health Ontario to support a comprehensive approach to school mental health. Resources are available in both English and French. Grade JK-3
Access audio files (songs, videos) to support Mindmasters 2 Grade 4-8
Grade 9-12
Resources for educators to support parents/caregivers
* Resources available through your public health nurse. |
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Helpful links |
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Please refer to your school board for additional supports.
For crisis intervention |
Opioids
| Helpful links |
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Making decisions and refusal skills |
Oral health
| Curriculum support |
| Helpful links |
Road and off-road safety
| Helpful links |
Tobacco and vaping
| Curriculum support | ||||||
| Grades 1 to 4
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health School Mental Health Ontario (CAMH SMHO) Vaping: what elementary school educators need to know Grades 4 to 6
Grades 7 to 12
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