School health
VCH supports promoting whole-school well-being and offers a range of services, including immunizations, health information, and referrals, to school-aged children, staff, and parents. A nurse provides individual health consultations.
School health promotion
VCH is committed to working with schools to implement strategies that promote whole-school well-being using the Comprehensive School Health Framework. Schools and school districts are invited to connect with local Public Health Nurses, Public Health Dietitians, and Community Health Specialists to collaborate on school health promotion initiatives based on individual school and school district priorities.
To support schools and school administrators in promoting the health and well-being of students, we offer and support a variety of evidence-based and practical resources within these topic areas:
Physical health
Adequate nutrition, movement, and rest for the brain and body improve mood, increase concentration, and support positive learning and development. Equipping students with the skills to recognize and respond to their body’s physical and emotional cues is essential for developing strong self-regulation abilities.
Healthy sexuality
Healthy sexuality is about more than sex. It is about growing into an adult, understanding one's identity, and using communication and consent to develop healthy relationships. It's also about understanding one's body and rights, caring for one's health, and understanding choices.
Mental well-being
Creating a school environment where students feel safe, seen, heard and supported is associated with greater health and academic outcomes, as well as lower rates of substance use, bullying and violence.
Substance use
Coming soon!
Health promotion resources
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Supporting healthy eating at school
Creating inclusive food environments, school food programming, teaching about food and nutrition, and supporting students in fostering a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.
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Public Health Dietitians
Work with school districts on promoting the nutritional well-being of school communities.
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Active transportation
Encourage active and sustainable modes of transportation.
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Playbuilder
Lesson plans, activities, and professional development opportunities on promoting physical literacy and activity.
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Teaching sexual health
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Smart Sex Resource
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Kelty Mental Health
Resources for school professionals
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Substance use services and resources
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Tobacco & Vapour Reduction Program
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Intervention and treatment of tobacco and vapour products
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Kelty substance use and youth
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School health promotion programs
The Physical Health Promotion program offered by public health nurses collaborates with educators to integrate physical activity and literacy, healthy eating and sleep habits into the classroom. Public health dietitians, community health specialists, and policy leads also offer support for school districts in fostering environments and policies that promote physical health.
The Healthy Sexuality program aims to support secondary school teachers in gaining the knowledge and skills needed to deliver the comprehensive sexual health components of the physical and health education curriculum. It will be available this winter.
Management of medical conditions in schools
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School Health Medical Management online course
School personnel are encouraged to complete the VCH School Health Medical Management online course on an annual basis
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Seizure, anaphylaxis and diabetes
Government of BC – Safe and healthy schools
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Asthma
Child Health BC
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Generic Emergency Action Plan Sample
Internal network access required
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Childhood diseases
What to do when your child is sick
Students who are exhibiting symptoms of illness, including respiratory and gastrointestinal illness, should stay home until they are well enough to participate in regular activities. Those who are vomiting or have diarrhea should be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Common childhood diseases
The quick guide to common childhood diseases from the BCCDC provides schools, caregivers and parents information about communicable diseases commonly experienced by young children.
Routine vaccinations
The school immunization program protects as many children as possible against vaccine-preventable diseases. We immunize at the earliest appropriate age and give booster vaccines as needed.
Learn more at immunizebc.caWhere to get immunizations
If your child is not yet fully immunized, immunizations are available at your local public health unit, some family doctors or select local pharmacies. Learn more about public health Immunization Clinics.
Immunization records
Providing immunization records to public health helps us respond quickly to outbreaks in schools and helps everyone get back to learning as soon as possible. Since 2019, the collection of immunization information for school age students is also required by law. Please provide your child’s immunization record when registering at your school or use the reporting form.
Public Health resources for schools and childcare facilities
Downloadable materials on extreme heat, wildfire smoke, traffic pollution, ventilation, and air quality for public schools and childcare facilities.
Learn morePublic health information
Each school is assigned a Public Health Nurse from your local public health unit. The nurse provides educational health and safety resources, immunizations, and communicable disease control.
