Public Health Nurses in Schools

Public Health Nurses (PHNs) work with schools to support the health and well-being of children and youth.

All schools receive access to school-aged population health information and resources. Some schools receive targeted services, meaning regular PHN support. These schools were identified through a collaborative process between Public Health Services and School Boards, informed by population health assessment data such as the Child & Youth Health Atlas

School program services for all schools

All schools receive universal services. Contact School Program by emailing [email protected] for consultation with a Public Health Nurse, Dietitian, Physical Activity Specialist, or Health Promotion Specialist to support with:

• Child & Youth Health Atlas
• High-quality, board approved classroom resources
• Your school’s student-led health promotion group (e.g. Health Action Team)
• Healthy Schools Recognition Program
• Access to a City of Hamilton and/or Public Health Services department (dental, vision, immunization, infectious diseases)
• Active Sustainable School Travel plan

School Program Services for Target Schools

Target schools receive additional services to:

School Administration and Staff

• Support the school with development of health promotion goals and plans, as informed by different data sources and the Foundations for a Healthy School, to address identified priority health issues.
• Contribute to plans for implementation of mandated PHS programs and Healthy School policies.
• Consultation to identify and discuss high-quality curriculum resources to support classroom learning related to the Health & Physical Education Curriculum.
• Collaborate with school champions on the registration and successful completion of the Healthy Schools Recognition Program.
• Consultation with school resource teachers and other staff to support the health needs of students and families.

Students

• Partner with educators, other support staff, and students to collect information related to school assets, gaps, and identified priority health topics.
• Work together with students and staff champions on a Health Action Team (HAT) or similar group (Positive Space, Student Council, ECO Team) to address priority health topics.
• Collaborate to promote inclusion, belonging, and positive school climate through various initiatives (e.g. Active Recess programs, Awareness days/weeks).

Community

• Work together with School Councils and other school and community groups on health promoting activities that impact the health and wellbeing of the school community.
• Facilitate access to PHS services and specialists, including Registered Dietitian, Physical Activity Specialist, Health Promotion Specialists, and other PHS teams (e.g. Vaccine, Dental/Vision, Nutrition).