Student Wellness

Comprehensive School Health

Parkland School Division believes that student learning and student health are interdependent. A healthy school community is one that supports the wellness of students and staff through the implementation of a Comprehensive School Health approach.

Comprehensive School Health provides students and staff with opportunities to observe and learn positive health attitudes and behaviours. It includes a broad spectrum of programs, activities, partnerships and services that take place in schools and communities in order to enhance health and build productive and satisfying relationships across their community.

The Comprehensive School Health approach in Parkland School Division focuses on three specific and interrelated tenets:

Healthy eating,
Active living; and,
Mental well-being.

PSD’s Health & Wellness tenets are supported through consideration and implementation of the four Pillars of Comprehensive School Health (Pan-Canadian Joint Consortium for School Health, 2016):

Social and Physical Environment,
Teaching and Learning,
Healthy School Policy; and,
Partnerships and Service.

School Health Leads

Each school in PSD has a designated School Health Lead who works collaboratively with the Division’s Health & Wellness Facilitator to develop annual Comprehensive School Health action plans. These action plans are created to support healthy eating, active living and mental well-being within their school community.

Comprehensive School Health is supported through PSD Administrative Procedure 702: Comprehensive School Health.

Healthy Eating

Nutrition plays a significant role in student growth, development, disease resistance, and physical and mental health, which contributes to optimal learning. Students who make healthy and balanced nutritional choices reduce their risk of health issues.

Food Security

In addition to teaching about healthy eating and encouraging students to make healthy choices, we are addressing food security in schools for all students. All schools are receiving the school nutrition allocation, which is used to stock Nutrition Nook fridges, and Breakfast Clubs of Canada is providing both food products and allocations to schools. Many schools are also receiving additional funding through the President Choice Children’s Charity to supplement their food security needs.

Active Living

Physically active students are more likely to exhibit on-task behaviour, academic success and social inclusion. Being physically active encourages students to make health-enhancing choices.

Try-Me Try-Athlon

The Try-Me Try-Athlon has been an important part of Parkland School Division’s culture since 2015. This treasured division-wide event is open to students ages 5 and up and is embraced by the community as a way to celebrate and encourage the Comprehensive School Health tenet of Active Living. In true triathlon style, the event hosts swimming, biking and running components. The Try-Athlon encourages students to train in school and at home, allowing them to build their skills and work toward feeling competent and confident in multiple environments. The event is organized and hosted through Parkland School Division with the support of many generous community partners and sponsors. Registration typically opens in May, with the event running on a Friday in June.

Mental Well-being

Students who have a strong sense of self and belonging, and who feel cared for at school are more likely to achieve greater academic success, have successful and rewarding relationships, and exhibit positive social behaviours.

School Counsellors

School Counselling services are an integral component of a continuum of supports and services, which supports PSD’s ultimate goal of student success and well-being. Each school in PSD has access to a School Counsellor whose role is to enhance and promote students positive growth, mental health, and well-being through evidence-based approaches. A focus on awareness, communication, prevention and intervention promotes welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments. The School Counselling Program is supported through Administrative Procedure 730: School Counselling and Guidance.