Educator interacting with children in his classroom.

Educators

Home Health and Wellness School HealthEducators

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.

Newsletter inserts for schools

Dental (Oral health)

Dental (Oral health)
Current topics
Cavity connection
Does chewing gum prevent cavities?
Fluoride
Healthy Smiles Ontario (English) Healthy Smiles Ontario (French)
How much sugar is in your drink?
How to brush your child's teeth
How to floss your teeth
Less sugar = healthy mouth + healthy body
Mouth and dental emergencies
Mouth protection
Tips for good oral health
Tips for a healthy smile
Tooth friendly snacks
Why is oral health important?

Environmental health

Environmental health
Current topics
Environmental Health in Durham
Everything you wanted to know about bed bugs!
Hamburger safety
Keeping your hands clean
Lyme Disease - get tick smart
Lyme Disease - get ticked off
Pack a safe lunch
Personal protection against mosquitoes and West Nile virus
Potassium Iodide (KI) Tablets
Rabies... know the facts
Talking turkey

Healthy eating

Healthy eating
Current topics
Add some splash to the holidays
Are they getting enough? Tips to get your teens to eat more vegetables and fruit (Secondary schools)
Choose water first!
Create healthy routines for you and your family
Family fun with vegetables and fruit
Packing a healthy school lunch? Be salt savvy.
School lunches and snacks that make the grade!
Season's eatings - eating healthy as a family during the holidays
Starting your day sunny side up!

Infectious disease

Infectious disease
Current topics
Reliable infectious diseases resources

Immunization

Immunization
Current topics
Aged 14-16? (Secondary schools)
Grade 7 and 8 school-based vaccine clinics
Who do you fight the flu for? Getting the flu shot does not just protect you!
Online immunization reporting and viewing

Mental health and resiliency

Mental health and resiliency
Current topics
Growing Resilient Children: Create Connections (Part 1 of 3)
Growing Resilient Children: Provide a Safe and Caring Home (Part 2 of 3)
Growing Resilient Children: Teach and Learn (Part 3 of 3)
Stress-busting for kids in 3 steps
Teen resiliency heading into high school

Physical activity

Physical activity
Current topics
Active kids are fit to learn
Active parents, active kids
Connect with your teen through physical activity (Secondary schools)
Help your kids be active for life
Tips to reduce screen time
Walk or wheel everyday!
Walk or wheel everyday! (Secondary schools)

Personal safety and injury prevention

Personal safety and injury prevention
Current topics
Car and booster seat safety
Prepare your teen for the road (Secondary schools)

Positive parenting

Positive parenting
Current topics
Healthy sleep routines for your family
It begins with family
Positive parenting

Substance use and abuse

Substance use and abuse
Current topics
Alcohol and energy drinks
Is your teen getting high on prescription opioids?
You, your teen and alcohol
You, your teen and cannabis (Secondary schools)
What parents need to know about cannabis

Sun safety

Sun safety
Current topics
General sun safety awareness

Tobacco and vape-free living

Tobacco and vape-free living
Current topics
Not An Experiment Parent/caregiver resource
Health Canada Consider the Consequestions - Talking with your teen about vaping: a tip sheet for parents
Vaping - Clear the clouds

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.

Making decisions and refusal skills

Grade 6: OPHEA influencing choices (Lesson plan)
Grade 7-12 Kahoot: Substance use protective factors (Requires Kahoot account)
Grade 7-12: PHE Canada refusal skills (activity)
Grade 7-12: Refusal skills (Video – accompanies activity above)
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking

Coping with criticism and dealing with feeling of exclusion

Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity

Identifying and managing stress

Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Stress management and coping
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Stress management and coping
Faith & wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Stress management and coping
SMHO virtual field trips

Communications, conflict resolution and healthy relationships

Empathy video | PHE Canada
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Healthy relationship skills
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Healthy relationship skills
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Healthy relationship skills

Curriculum connections

Activity	Curriculum connection
Making decisions and refusal skills
Grade 6: OPHEA influencing choices (Lesson plan)	D2. Making Healthy Choices A1.6 Critical and Creative Thinking
Grade 7-12: PHE Canada refusal skills activity	Elementary: D2. Making Healthy Choices A1.6 Critical and Creative Thinking Secondary: Grade 9: C3.4 [IS, CT] Grade 10: C3.4 [IS, CT], C2.4 [PS, IS, CT]
Grade 7-12: Refusal skills (Video - accompanies activity above)	Elementary: D2. Making Healthy Choices A1.6 Critical and Creative Thinking Secondary: Grade 9: C3.4 [IS, CT] Grade 10: C3.4 [IS, CT]
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking	A1.6 Critical and Creative Thinking
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking	Grade 9: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 10: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 12: C2.3 [PS, IS, CT]
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking	A1.6 Critical and Creative Thinking Catholic graduate expectations are listed within individual activities.
Coping with criticism and dealing with feelings of exclusion
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance	A1.3 Positive Motivation and Perseverance
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity	A1.5 Self-Awareness and Sense of Identity
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance	Grade 9: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 10: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 12: C2.3 [PS, IS, CT]
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity	Grade 9: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 10: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 12: C2.3 [PS, IS, CT]
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance	A1.3 Positive Motivation and Perseverance Catholic Graduate Expectations are listed within individual activities.
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity	A1.5 Self-Awareness and Sense of Identity Catholic graduate expectations are listed within individual activities.
Identifying and managing stress
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Stress management and coping	A1.2 Stress Management and Coping
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Stress management and coping	Grade 9: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 10: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 12: C2.3 [PS, IS, CT]
Elementary faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Stress management and coping	A1.2 Stress Management and Coping Catholic Graduate Expectations are listed within individual activities.
SMHO virtual field trips	A1.2 Stress Management and Coping
Communication, conflict resolution and healthy relationships
Empathy video \| PHE Canada	A1.4 Healthy Relationships
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Healthy relationship skills	A1.4 Healthy Relationships
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Healthy relationship skills	Grade 9: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 10: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 12: C2.3 [PS, IS, CT]
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Healthy relationship skills	A1.4 Healthy Relationships

Alcohol

Curriculum Support

Grade 5

Discovering You! Student workbook: English | French (Curriculum connection: A1.6, D2.3, D3.3)
Discovering You! Teacher companion guide: English | French
OPHEA Factors of Intoxication (Lesson plan)** (Curriculum connection: A1.6, D1.2, D2.3, D3.3)
OPHEA Factors That Affect My Decisions (Lesson plan)** (Curriculum connection: A1.5, A1.6, D3.3)
OPHEA Factors that Affect My Healthy Choices (Activity)** (Curriculum connection: A1.2, A1.6, D3.3)
OPHEA Who Can Help (Lesson plan)** (Curriculum connection: A1.4, A1.6, D2.3, D3.3)
OPHEA Awareness Campaign (Lesson plan)** (Curriculum connection: A1.1, A1.4, A1.5, A1.6, D2.3, D 3.2, D3.3)
Interactive activity kit available from your school public health nurse*

**Requires an OPHEA log-in

Grade 6-8

Substance Misuse Series 2: Alcohol Level 1 (Grades 6-8) - Details - Kahoot! (Requires Kahoot account)
Substance Misuse Series 2: Alcohol Level 2 (Grades 6-8) - Details - Kahoot! (Requires Kahoot account)
Interactive Game Kits (Plinko, Spin Wheel)*
CCSA Understanding Substance Use: Educator’s Guide

Grade 9-12

CCSA Understanding Substance Use: Educator’s Guide
Interactive Game Kits (Plinko, Spin Wheel)*
Substance Misuse Series 2: Alcohol Level 3 (Grades 9-12) - Details - Kahoot! (Requires Kahoot account)
The Real Buzz: Teens and Alcohol Infographics English | French
Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health - Drinking less is better: English | French

*Resources available through your public health nurse.

Helpful links

Concussions and injury prevention

Helpful links

Durham health statistics

Helpful links

Durham health stats

Healthy eating behaviours and food safety

Curriculum support

Helpful links

Healthy fundraising and special events

Healthy fundraising ideas

Healthy snack or breakfast programs

Understanding P/PM 150:

Trans Fat Standards Regulation

Healthy sexuality

Curriculum support

Human Development and Sexual Health Educator Resources

Infectious diseases prevention and control

Curriculum support

Helpful links

Chickenpox reporting form
Cover your cough poster (English | French)
Durham Healthy Families handwashing video
Facts about... Handwashing
Guidelines for infectious diseases reporting and exclusion (Does not apply to COVID-19 management in schools.)
As per Ministry guidance, no respiratory outbreaks will be declared at this time. You are not required to report increases in absenteeism due to respiratory symptoms in your classes and schools. Please continue to report potential enteric outbreaks in your classes and schools as necessary.
Handwashing steps poster (English | French)
Proper handwashing video
Stop the spread poster
Wash your hands poster

Mental health promotion

Curriculum support

Helpful links

Positive mental health toolkit

School Mental Health Ontario learning modules

Oral health

Curriculum support

Helpful links

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour

Curriculum support

Helpful links

Road and off-road safety

Helpful links

Substance use and harm reduction

Curriculum support

Cannabis Plinko, Spin Wheel and Drop Zone: Q&A activities for students in Grade 6-12*
Cannabis Kahoot! Grades 6-8: Online interactive activity using the Kahoot! platform*
Cannabis Kahoot! Grades 9-12: Online interactive activity using the Kahoot! platform*
Reducing Substance Use: A School-Based Toolkit (Grades 9 to 12)
Understanding Substance Use: Educator's guide (Grades 6 to 12)
Weed out the Myths: Resource for students in grades 6-12

*Resources available through your public health nurse.

Helpful links

Sun safety

Helpful links

Sunsense Program

Register your school for SunSense to gain access to a variety of free downloadable resources related to sun safety education, policy development and shade.

Other

Tobacco and vaping

Curriculum support

Grade 1 to 4

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health School Mental Health Ontario (CAMH SMHO) Vaping: what elementary school educators need to know
Not An Experiment

Grade 4 to 6

OPHEA Vaping Education Resources
CAMH SMHO Vaping: what elementary school educators need to know
Not An Experiment
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) Understanding Substance Use Educator’s Guide

Grades 7 to 12

OPHEA Vaping Education Resources (Grades 7-8)
Not An Experiment
CCSA Understanding Substance Use Educator’s Guide
Lung Health Foundation What the Vape?!?! Module
- Please note in Canada, it’s illegal for vaping products to be sold or given to anyone under the age of 18. However in Ontario, it is age 19.
Health Canada Consider the Consequences Online Modules
Be in the Know Tobacco, Vaping and Cannabis poster, pamphlet and postcard
Quash Facilitator course for adults interested in delivering the Quash youth smoking and vaping cessation program.
Lung Health Foundation Talking about Vaping/E-cigarettes
Lung Health Foundation Talking about Tobacco
CAMH SMHO Vaping: what you and your friends need to know
CAMH SMHO Vaping: what secondary school educators need to know
Vaping/Tobacco Kahoot Game (Requires Kahoot account)*
Vaping/Tobacco Interactive Game Kits (Plinko, Spin Wheel, Drop Zone)*
Tobacco Enforcement Officer (TEO) and Public Health Nurse (PHN) presentation*

*Reach out to your school public health nurse for more information.

Not An Experiment

Not An Experiment is a website that increases awareness of the health risks associated with vaping and provides resources and information to educators, students, and parents. The following are some of the resources on the website:

Posters (Grades 1-12)
Announcements (Grades 1-12)
Ontario law post cards (Grades 1-12)
Escape Room activity
- Classroom Escape Room Activity*
- Online Computer Game
Educator presentation
Parent/Caregiver resource (Grades 1-12)
Grade 7 & 8 lesson plan
Take the Clouds Outside display*
Teacher Resource Package- Elementary*
High School Teacher Resource Package*
Quit Plan resources

*Consult with your school public health nurse about Not an Experiment, Escape the Experiment game adaptations and for further information.

Cessation supports

The following are free apps to help youth quit vaping/smoking:

Quash App (Available through Google Play or App Store)
Stop Vaping Challenge App (Available through Google Play or App Store)
Crush the Crave App (Available through Google Play or App Store)

Helpful links