The School Health Department consists of a team of public health nurses (PHN), health promoters, and a nutritionist.
The schools in our region from all four school boards (Greater Essex County District School Board, Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board, Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence and Conseil Scolaire Viamonde) as well as private schools are assigned to our public health nurses.
All schools in Windsor-Essex County receive universal services. Programming is developed in alignment with the Foundations for a Healthy School Framework, including curriculum, teaching and learning; school and classroom leadership; student engagement; social and physical environment; and home, school, and community partnerships.
Administrators and educators from all schools are encouraged to contact their School PHN for support with:
- Accessing high-quality, curriculum based, classroom resources.
- Ophea Healthy Schools Certification
- Reporting high rates of absenteeism.
- Information and/or resources on a number of public health topics, including:
- Personal Safety and Injury Prevention
- Food and Nutrition
- Human Development and Sexual Health
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Mental Health
- Oral and Vision Health
- Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour
- Substance Use
- Violence and Bullying
Services that are provided to schools include:
- Co-develop health and well-being goals based on identified priority health topics through a School Health Action Plan (SHAP).
- Support high-quality, board approved programs, and health-related curriculum based classroom resources.
- Connect the school to organizations and resources in the community.
- Consult with Principals and educators on Ministries of Health and Education guidelines and policies and the Health and Physical Education Curriculum.
- Support coordination of other Public Health school-based services as needed.
- Be a contributing member to wellness groups and school wide initiatives.
- Provide support to all school groups (i.e. parent council, student council, wellness commitees).
- Provide information and/or resources on a variety of health topics through individual consultation or staff meetings.