SCHOOL HEALTH RESOURCES in BC

DASH HEALTHY SCHOOLS LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM APRIL 2010 

DASH BC hosted its annual Symposium on Friday April 9^th 2010 in Vancouver.  Themed “Meeting the Challenge:  Ensuring Healthy Students in Healthy Schools Learn Better” the day brought together education and health promotion specialists working within the field of school health to inform and engage participants in dialogue around school health topics relevant to our students and practitioners. 

Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl opened the session with a powerful keynote address: Addressing the Implications and Strategies for building Social and Emotional Health within our schools.  Following her address were a series of engaging presentations by Lynn Brown, a Master Education Student and Teacher from Naniamo, Arthur Orsini, a School Travel Planner, Tanya Grand of the Ministry of Education’s Cross Sector Strategic Initiatives Branch (formally Healthy Schools Branch) and the Acton Schools! BC Team kept everyone active through the day.  A special thanks to our speakers and delegates for their participation, to Mike Johnson of SD #73 for leading a successful afternoon of round circle discussions, and to Ian Grbavec of SD # 79 for his technical prowess throughout the day!To view all presentations, visit http://dashbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=70

GRANTS FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD LEARNING CENTRE SCHOOLS: APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 4, 2010  
Through the School Community Connections program, the Ministry of Education will grant up to $30,000 per school district to support the planning and utilization of existing, renovated, or new school facilities to bring together educational and community services and programs under one school roof.  Neighbourhood Learning Centre schools may expand their facilities to include services such as child-care programs, office space, health clinics, sports programs, seniors’ centres, or family resource centres.  For more information, visit: http://www.neighbourhoodlearningcentres.gov.bc.ca/create/

HEALTHY SCHOOLS NETWORK UPDATE  
The Healthy Schools Network Local Leaders met together on April 7^th in Vancouver to strengthen the original intentions of the Healthy Schools Network in an action research setting within a formative assessment approach.  To view upcoming NPBS/HSN regional meeting and celebration dates: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/health/hsnetwork/newsletter_mar10.pdf 

HEALTHY SCHOOLS NETWORK NEWSLETTER MARCH EDITION                        
Learn more about a unique student-designed physical activity project at a Nanaimo secondary school, new articles to support physically and emotionally safe school environments, and upcoming school health events and workshops: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/health/hsnetwork/newsletter_mar10.pdf   

ACTION SCHOOLS! BC PLAYGROUND CIRCUITS  
Action Schools! BC playground circuits provide an easy way to integrate daily physical activity into your school day. Students run, skip, jump, weave and side-step over, through, on and off the playground. View your school’s unique circuit at www.actionschoolsbc.ca under Quick Links and contact the Action Schools! BC Support Team at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 1.800.565.7727 to have it updated or translated into French. Information on playground circuits can be found in the Action Schools! BC Classroom Action Resource.  Action Schools! BC also offers a complimentary Classroom Action Refresher Workshop on Circuits and Stations.

RESOURCES … BOOKS, NEWSLETTERS, RESEARCH FINDINGS

Schools as a Setting for Promoting Positive Mental Health: Better Practices and Perspectives – A literature review and key informant interview findings prepared by the Joint Consortium for School Health to develop guidelines for better practices related to the promotion of positive mental health perspectives within a comprehensive school health framework.  View here: http://eng.jcsh-cces.ca/upload/JCSH%20Positive%20Mental%20Health%20Lit%20Review%20Mar%202010.pdf

UPCOMING EVENTS…CONFERENCES…COURSES…INTIATIVES, ETC

3^rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health May 5 – 8, 2010 Toronto
The goal of the 3rd ICPAPH is to provide a scientific forum in which delegates from around the world can come together to discuss and debate the latest scientific evidence supporting the contribution of regular physical activity to public health. The focus will be on outcomes and determinants of physical activity and health.  For more information, visit: http://www.cflri.ca/icpaph/en/index.php

DASH BC Annual General Meeting
Wednesday June 9^th 3:00pm at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, 1150 Raymur Avenue, Vancouver.  Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP or for more information.

OPHEA and PHE Canada National Conference October 21 – 23, 2010 Toronto
The conference offers an inspiring lineup of professional development activities such as workshopsto support cross-curricular instruction, best practices on how to engage your community whenbuilding a healthy school and a healthy community.  For more information, visit: http://www.phecanada.ca/toronto2010/  

DASH MEMBERSHIP & RENEWAL

To join DASH or renew your annual membership, visit http://dashbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=54

To view the February 2010 DASH E News, please click here.