Educators have long been aware that families, as do others across our communities, play a critical role in supporting children's healthy development. Using a team approach, to complete the Healthy Schools Network process widens the circle of support for strategies and actions for improving student health and learning.

A supportive team can provide opportunities to foster much needed support for additional resources in identified priority areas.  Involving the school community will ensure actions are meaningful, more widely accepted, easier to implement and sustained over time.

An ideal team would represent various perspectives within the school and could include - but not be limited to - teachers, students, school administrators, parents, school facility and school administrative assistance staff and relevant professionals from the community (i.e. community nutritionist, municipal recreatiion administrators, members of the local business community.

Prepare:

Usually one or two individuals take the initial responsibility for involving other members of the school and community.  It is useful to consider what others may need to know prior to encouraging them to become involved.  The Healthy Schools Network Assessment Tool includes an introductory section on What Are Healthy Schools? What is the Healthy Schools Network? and Benefits of System-Wide Approaches to School Health, use these to help others understand the approach and process you are asking them to participate in.  Once you have gained their support, use this group to help you engage others. 

Meet:

Invite key people to come to an introductory meeting to learn more and review the Healthy Schools Network Assessment Tool.  Establish a small working group to review the Healthy Schools Network Assessment Tool and establish a plan to complete the Tool.

"Although the process was slow to start, careful deliberate consideration was given to ensure that all members of the school community were engaged and involved, resulting in a successful collaboration...rushing through the process would have resulted in a less positive outcome."

"Bringing in members of the community created a powerful working partnership."

Read about one parents journey and positive experience in the Healthy School Network process:

"Our Healthy School Journey - A Parents Perspective"

I have had the priviledge of serving on our Healthy School Committee for the last 3 years.  Parent involvement has been strongly encouraged and warmly welcomed.  I have appreciated the team effort as we work through the process, revieiwing school surveys including satisfaction surveys, identifying needs or concerns and helping to develop creative and fun strategies to address these needs.  Making Healthy Lifestyle changes doesn't happen overnight - it takes awareness, education, and a desire to change.  I believe our school journey with the Healthy Schools Network has had a HEALTHY good start.

Our areas of action:  Hand sanitizers - milk program - healthier choices in vending machines - focus on healthier lunches - creating healthy, happy (safe) and fun learning experiences

Serving on the Healthy Schools Committee has had many benefits:

1. It is a great opportunity for parents to be involved in school and involved with the process of making healthy changes in our school environment.  I have seen the school taking quick positive action in identifying areas of concern or need as identified in school satisfaction surveys.
2. I believe parents are encouraged to hear that their concerns are being heard and that the school makes every effort to proactively address these concerns.
3. We have found additionals concerns surfacing as we collect data - for example the number of students who were not eating breakfast and/or lunch on a regular basis.
4. Being a part of a network, I've appreciated reviewing the challenges other schools have had and the creative approaches they have shared.

At our school, parents have been very supportive of the changes taking place, the programs and activities being offered.  Parents are very positive knowing that hand sanitizers were added throughout the school.  "Anything to get our kids to wash their hands more frequently, even if some kids use it only because it smells good".  Last spring the nutrition information in newsletter and fridge magnets, that were sent home, was a hit.  Many parents expressed appreciation for the "creative lunch ideas".  Although not all parents have seen changes at home when it comes to their children making healthier food choices, all agree that their children are much more aware of the choices that can be made.

Overall, I believe our involvement in the Healthy Schools Network has helped create a growing awareness for healthier lifestyles amongst our school community.  Out school will continue to provide an environment which encourages, supports and equips our children to make good choices - ultimately the choices will be theirs to make.