These are the Key Issues That Affect Halton Schools

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Published November 21, 2018 at 4:03 pm

InHalton.com recently reported on major changes that are coming to some schools across the Halton district

InHalton.com recently reported on major changes that are coming to some schools across the Halton district following several capital projects being approved. These changes include making improvements such as washroom renovations, science lab renovations, accessibility changes, and more. 

These changes, which are being funded by the Ontario government, include many construction and design issues that schools may face such as mechanical and electrical issues, roof and window issues, etc.

Despite certain issues being resolved through these changes, there are still some key issues that affect Halton schools that may not have as easy of a fix. 

These key issues that affect Halton schools, according to the Halton Region, include body image, substance use and misuse, physical activity, bully prevention, healthy eating, personal safety and injury prevention, mental health. 

So, how are these issues being addressed?

The following resource was developed to provide Halton residents with information and programs that can improve the health of the children and youth in schools within the region.

The resource was developed based on a few components of the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School framework: Curriculum, Teaching and Learning; Social and Physical Environments; and Home, School and Community Partnerships. 

Other programs that are in place to help students in Halton schools include the following.

  • Connect[ED] – Ophea (for grades 4-6)
    A free online resource that helps students develop safe and healthy online behaviours, including netiquette, security, personal privacy, and relationships. It also teaches students how to recognize and manage cyberbullying.
  • Cybercops – Ophea
    Teaches students in Grades 7 and 8 about the risks and safety issues surrounding the Internet.
    • Mirror Image (for grade 7 students)
      Introduces students to three criminal behaviours – cyberstalking, Internet luring and child pornography.
    • Air Dogs (for Grade 8 students)
      Is designed to make young teenagers aware of the consequences surrounding credit card fraud, bullying, and software piracy.
  • Halton Regional Police Services
    The Halton Regional Police Service Education Services Unit provides safety awareness and education programs to youth from Kindergarten to Grade 8 in the Halton District Public and Halton District Catholic School Boards.
  • Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (P.A.L.S.)
    Peer-led playground leadership program that encourages all children to participate in activities. 
  • Safe@School
    A multi-faceted bullying prevention project which includes resources and an online teacher training module designed to benefit teachers, students, parents, and school communities. 
  • ABCs of Mental Health-Teacher Resource- Bullying
    Investigate bullying behaviours and intervention strategies for a range of student age groups.
  • Halton Multicultural Council
    A volunteer-run council with members representing a number of cultural groups that provide social programs to the community. School Host Program is a free service offered to schools in the Halton Region aiming to help integrate children who are new to Canada. 
  • Halton Regional Police Services
    • PEACE Youth Leadership Program
      Police Ethnic and Cultural Education (PEACE) by Halton Regional Police Services promotes understanding and cultural awareness among high school students. 
  • Lions Quest Canada
    A registered charitable organization dedicated to fostering positive youth development by producing and disseminating effective tools to empower and unite caring adults in all aspects of young people’s lives. 
  • Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence (PREVNet)
    A comprehensive website whose goal is to translate and exchange knowledge about bullying to enhance awareness, to provide assessment and intervention tools, and to promote policy related to the problems of bullying.
    • PREVNet Teacher Resources
      School / teacher resources to improve the social and emotional climate at school: Bullying Evaluation and Strategies Tool, Tip Sheets, books, videos and more. 
  • Red Cross
    Programs to promote healthier relationships and safer communities through education and partnerships. 
  • Restorative Practices
    Restorative practices assists teachers, students and parents to build, maintain and restore relationships. 
  • Roots of Empathy
    An evidence-based classroom program that reduces levels of aggression among school children by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. HCDSB has trained some staff as Roots of Empathy Instructors. 
  • Resources and Videos available from both Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board
  • Tribes 
    A process where educators learn to create a positive school or classroom environment. The Tribes process is an effective way to improve student behaviour and learning. 
  • Violence Prevention Works: Safer Schools, Safer Communities
    Information about bullying, cyberbullying and dating violence. It includes the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which was created to improve peer relations and make schools safer, more positive places for students to learn and develop. 
  • Bullying: We Can All Help Stop It
    A guide for parents of Elementary and Secondary school students. 
  • Peers Running Organized Play Stations (PROPS)
    A program that encourages children to use their time productively in the schoolyard by helping them learn new and traditional games. In doing these activities, students are more likely to be active and less likely to engage in bullying behaviour on the playground. 
  • Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (P.A.L.S.)
    P.A.L.S. is a peer-led playground leadership program that encourages all children to participate in activities regardless of their gender, size, or ability.
  • Be Web Aware
  • A national, bilingual public education program on Internet safety. 
  • The Boomerang Project- a Peer Mentorship Program
    The program ‘Link Crew’ is a high school transition program that will increase attendance, decrease discipline referrals and improve academic performance at your school. 
  • Centre for Disease Control: School Connectedness
    Strategies that teachers, administrators, other school staff, and parents can implement to increase the extent to which students feel connected to school. Students who feel connected to their school are more likely to have a better academic achievement, have better school attendance, and stay in school longer. 
  • Centre for Disease Control: Bullying Research
    Information and resources on bullying, electronic aggression, youth violence prevention, and safe schools. 
  • Character Matters
    Information on Character Education principles and strategies to create schools in which positive attitudes, values, and behaviours are fostered. 
  • Cyberbullying.ca
    Tips for preventing, recognizing, and coping with electronic bullying for children and parents/guardians. 
  • Cybertip
    Cybertip.ca is Canada’s national tip line for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. Provides information for parents on what they can do to improve their child’s safety on the internet. 
  • International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP)
    Restorative Practices is a new field of study that has the potential to positively influence human behaviour and strengthen civil society around the world. 
  • Kids in the Know
    An interactive internet safety education program designed for children, parents, and educators to help increase the personal safety of children and reduce their risk of sexual exploitation. 
  • Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence (PREVNet)
    A comprehensive website whose goal is to translate and exchange knowledge about bullying to enhance awareness, to provide assessment and intervention tools, and to promote policy related to the problems of bullying.
  • Red Cross – Respect Ed
    A program to promote healthier relationships and safer communities through education and partnerships. 
  • Safe School Ambassadors (SSA)
    This program empowers leaders from the diverse groups and cliques on campus and equips them with nonviolent communication and intervention skills to stop bullying and violence among their peers. 
  • School Connectedness Game (PDF file) 
    An interactive game for school administrators and staff members to learn strategies to improve school connectedness and promote a positive school climate. 
  • Search Institute: Developmental Assets
    Grounded in extensive research in youth development, resiliency, and prevention, the Developmental Assets represent the relationships, opportunities, and personal qualities that young people need to avoid risks and to thrive. 
  • Halton Regional Police Services
    List of specialty programs such as Internet safety and bullying for children (kindergarten to grade 8) run by Halton Regional Police Services. 
  • Canadian Mental Health Association
    An organization which provides resources and information on a variety of mental health issues. Bullying resources are available through the Mental Health Resource Library accessible from this site. 
  • Halton Regional Police Services
    Programs for youth, for example, PEACE, and ‘Give Respect Get Respect” 
  • Our Kids Network
    A community-based initiative that can assist with coordinating and providing services, resources, and support for families, schools and the community. 

All program information is courtesy of the Halton Region. 

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