Growth, Development & Sexuality

Access sexual health resources for schools to support teaching and learning such as:

• Ophea’s Always Changing resources to support the Human Development & Sexual Health, Health and Physical Education curriculum grades 5-8
• Hamilton Public Health Services Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) for information about STIs
• SexAndU.ca for information about sexual and reproductive health from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. For youth, parents and health professionals.
• Sex Information & Education Council of Canada’s (SIECCAN) to promote sexual and reproductive health.
• Ophea Approaches to Teaching Healthy Living: A Guide for Secondary Educators For tips and principles for teaching healthy sexuality.
• Egale Genderbread Person: Components of Human Identity for information on the four components of human identity.
• Promoting Relationships & Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet) for evidence-based resources to address and reduce youth interpersonal violence. Bullying and Teen Dating Violence | Healthy Relationships - PREVNet
• Draw the Line campaign and related activities from OPHEA for Gender-Based Violence Prevention Education Resources, lesson plans and information on gender-based violence prevention 
• White Ribbon for campaigns to support gender-based violence prevention.

Provide opportunities to discuss healthy relationships and self-esteem. Celebrate the similarities and differences that exist within the classroom.

Encourage students to become involved in activities that reflect the diversity of the school community such as positive space clubs, diversity clubs or health action teams. Speak to your school administrator and/or PHN for more information.

Identify resources and supports and collaborate with students to build an environment that encourages positive self-esteem, body image, self-confidence and healthy sexuality.

Create displays or multimedia content that depicts the school's diversity and addresses healthy growth and development topics.

Connect students and families to community supports and additional resources such as:

• Hamilton Public Health's Sexual Health Clinics for information on sexual health; including access to contraception, pregnancy testing, STI treatment and testing, clinic times and locations.
• Connection Medical clinic offers birth control and contraceptive counselling, as well as several other sexual health services for individuals living in the Greater Hamilton Area.
• Positive Health Network provides information on HIV/AIDS prevention, education and support.
• Cognitive-Based Therapy informed treatment group for Two-spirit and LGBTQ+ youth.
• Rainbow Railroad provides resources for the LGBTQIA2S+ Community
• HWDSB Parent Guide: Health and Physical Education for grade specific information on what is taught through the 2019 Health and Physical Education Curriculum
• Institute for Catholic Education for Ontario Catholic Curriculum, resources, and parent guides.