Google Translate Disclaimer

Translation on this website is provided by Google Translate, a third-party automated translator tool. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of translations performed by Google Translate, or for any issues or damages resulting from its use.

Children playing outside
print header

Schools

Related Content

Health Equity

Embracing diversity within schools helps to create an inclusive environment and provides a foundation for student health, well-being and academic achievement.

The whole community benefits when a school takes action to value, include and respect all people and remove barriers to engaging fully at school. Promoting social inclusion, and reducing the stigma that leads to discrimination, are best practices to promote health and well-being in children and youth. 

Creating inclusive committees, with representation from all social, cultural and economic groups and student populations, is one of the first steps in the Healthy Schools approach.

 

Whole School Approaches

A healthy school includes activities that celebrate diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all. Consider the following as part of your health and well-being action plan:

A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community:

  • feel safe, included, and accepted 
  • actively promote positive behaviours and interactions. 

When creating your action plan, include strategies that promote a positive school climate, regardless of the health topic you are focusing on. Potential strategies could include:

  • Use data and results from school climate surveys to help guide health and well-being priorities.
  • Encourage school leaders and staff to participate in ongoing learning and professional development.
  • Review curriculum and other teaching materials and/or student/family resources with an equity lens.
  • Promote and support a healthy school environment that celebrates diversity, encourages positive and respectful relationships, and offers supports for students, staff and families. 
  • Communicate about your school board / school’s code of conduct to raise awareness with all members of the school community.

‘Social determinants of health’ refer to the key social and economic factors impacting a person’s health – health is not limited to our biology, genes, or lifestyle choices.

A first step to planning approaches to address the social determinants of health is to understand more about them. Current, local statistics for Determinants of Health in Simcoe Muskoka are available within the health unit’s HealthSTATS website. 

A school community will have a range of socio-economic backgrounds. Students, parents, and staff live in social, geographic, and economic settings that have an impact on their health. Encourage all members of the school community to engage in school health and well-being activities. We have tools to help schools learn more about social determinants of health and how it may impact their community.

Additional Resources:

Canadian Public Health Association: Social Determinants of Health (English / French).

Indigenous parents, students, and employees can provide valuable insight on what works well and where improvements can be made to support Indigenous health and well-being in schools. Their perspective can enrich the whole school community, support academic success, and contribute to school improvement strategies.

We encourage school communities to increase employee and student awareness of Indigenous culture, history, and the impact of colonization and to commit to the provision of safe and healing environments for Indigenous students, families and staff.

More information about Indigenous education in Ontario can be found online, via the Ministry of Education (English / French).

Additional Resources:

The “Culture Card – A Guide to Build Cultural Awareness” was produced by the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC). For more information, contact BANAC at www.banac.on.ca.
Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin - Indigenous wellness to residents of North Simcoe and Muskoka (Barrie, Orillia, Beausoleil).
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (English / French)

Celebrate the Rainbow!

Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer and sometimes questioning (2S-LGBTQ+) parents, students, and staff provide valuable insight on what works well and where improvements can be made to support 2S-LGBTQ+ health and well-being in schools. 2S-LGBTQ+ school members bring their own culture, history, and perspectives that enrich the whole school community. We encourage school communities to increase their own awareness of 2S-LGBTQ+ issues and to support the 2S-LGBTQ+ community to play an active role in school improvement strategies. 

2S-LGBTQ+ and the Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education’s “Education Equity Action Plan” is available to support equity and inclusion in schools and provides guidance the Ministry of Education released its Education Equity Action Plan to identying and eliminating discriminatory practices, systemic barriers and bias from schools and classrooms (English / French). 

Positive Spaces at School

Positive Spaces are one way to make schools safe, inclusive, and welcoming places that are respectful of gender and sexual diversity. Supportive school staff, visible signage of Positive Spaces, along with anti-bullying policies that include harassment based on sexual orientation and offering Gay Straight Alliances make students feel safer, attend school, and more often consider college or university. These measures can help make the school experience vastly more positive for 2S-LGBTQ+ students.

Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) 

Gay-Straight Student Alliances (GSAs) are student-run and teacher supported school-based groups that promote welcoming, respectful, safe and inclusive spaces for 2S-LGBTQ+ students and their allies.  GSAs can be a space for friendship and support, and they can also organize and host events and activities school wide. A successful GSA promotes healthy relationships and welcomes diverse people in the school community. 

How to Start at GSA at Your School:

  • Provide the same status and visibility to the GSA as you would to any other student group or club (for example, including it on your school web site)
  • Ensure the teacher-advisor feels supported in their role
  • Promote the GSA as a group open to all students and school staff
  • Welcome straight allies as well as the 2S-LGBTQ+ community
  • Provide a safe place that is welcoming, inclusive and confidential

Additional Resources:

  • The Canadian Teachers’ Federation supports creating a gender inclusive school culture (English / French).
  • Egale – Canada's leading organization in 2S-LGBTQ+ advocacy, awareness and research   
  • The Canadian Encyclopedia article on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights in Canada (English / French)
  • International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia – Free promotional resources ,  and support for celebrating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17 (English / French).
  • PFLAG Canada – Supporting, educating, and providing resources to all individuals with questions or concerns (including parents), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (English / French).
  • The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity – promotes diversity in gender identity, gender expression, and romantic and/or sexual orientation through education, health and advocacy.
    Rainbow Health Ontario – works to improve the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people in Ontario, and to increase access to competent and LGBTQ+ friendly health care services across the province (English / French).

Educator and Classroom Resources

  • Cultural Humility Self-Reflection Tool for School Staff School Mental Health Ontario (English / French)
  • Ophea Disability-Centred Movement: Supporting Inclusive Physical Education (English / French)
  • We Belong PHE Canada- practical ways to enhance the experiences of newcomers (English / French)
  • A Quick Guide to Pronouns The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity
  • Cultural Humility Self-Reflection Tool for School Staff School Mental Health Ontario (English / French)
  • Ophea Disability-Centred Movement: Supporting Inclusive Physical Education (English / French)
  • We Belong PHE Canada- practical ways to enhance the experiences of newcomers (English / French)
  • A Quick Guide to Pronouns The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity

For Students, Parents and Families

Resources to share with students include:

Resources to share with students include:

For More information

  • Greater equity means greater student success -Ontario, Ministry of Education (English / French).
  • The Rick Hansen School Program offers free:
    • Curriculum connections, tips and strategies, lesson planning for grades K-12 
    • Resources to engage youth in social activism and leadership. 
    • ‘Ambassador’ presentations to schools so that students can learn firsthand about disability, accessibility and inclusion. 
    • Resource Library for educators, parents and families (English / French)  
For more information, call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or email [email protected]. 
Did you find what you were looking for today?
What did you like about this page?
How can we improve this page?
Page
Feedback

If you have any questions or concerns that require a response, please contact Health Connection directly.

Thanks for your feedback.
Failed to submit comment. Please try submitting again or contact us at the Health Unit.
Comment already submitted ...