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Halton Health promotion is having a positive impact in schools Health promotion is having a positive impact on students' health and well-being in Halton schools, heard a Regional committee recently. "Working together at the school level, with our public health nurse, we have been really able to affect change in our school community," Burlington's Notre Dame Secondary School Principal Cairine MacDonald told Halton Regional council's Health and Social Services Committee. She was at the meeting in Council Chambers to share her high school's experience with the Region's new service delivery model of providing health promotion support to all Halton District School Board (HDSB) and Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) schools; intensive health promotion support to schools located in priority neighbourhoods; and, mental health support to children in elementary schools. Having completed its first year, the model was discussed in a report outlining why Halton Region Health Department (HRHD) created it. The report noted a 12 per cent growth in the school-age population, which has placed significant pressures on HRHD to deliver comprehensive health promotion support to schools. In consultation with school boards, key priorities were identified to shape the new model. Highlights from its first year include public health nurses (PHN) providing more than 12,000 school staff, students and parent consultations in the 2014-15 school year. "School clusters and schools-of-focus demonstrated positive relationship building with the (public health nurse) and a strong commitment to collaborative planning and action to address issues in their school communities," the report stated. The top three issues, identified by school clusters, include: mental health, positive school climate and transition to adolescence. MacDonald noted rental accommodations, government assistance, access to transportation and financial concerns are issues that "really impact an individual's success and their academics," and wellness. She said the Notre Dame public health nurse was instrumental in connecting with the school community and implementing suggestions such as a "chill room" at the school with cozy couches and an information night to ease parents anxiety over the transition from middle school. "Students who feel welcome and accepted in their schools are more likely to succeed academically," she said. For information on health promotion services in schools, visit www.halton.ca. 35 | Thursday, December 31, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com DIRECTORY If you'd like to advertise your place of worship in this feature please call JENNIFER GOULD 289-293-0683 PresbyterIAN PresbyterIAN warmly welcomes you to grow with us in faith this Sunday ANGLICAN Knox Presbyterian Church January 3rd, 2016 at 9:45 am (one service only) Traditional Worship Service Sunday Bible Teaching & Worship Service, 12:30-2:30pm (SOUTH RIDGE ROOM) IROQUOIS RIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE 1051 Glenashton Dr. Glenashton & Eighth Line Friday Teaching & Youth Service 7:00-8:30pm Tel: 416-892-8123 · Fax: 1-866-281-5983 Pastor: Elder M.J. Brissett Email: mjbrisse@yahoo.ca JESUS IS LORD Epiphany................ 8:30 am & 10:30 am Wednesdays at 10:00 am (except July & August) 905-827-2546 141 Bronte Road epiphanyoffice@cogeco.net www.epiphanyoakville.com 905-825-2851 1240 Old Abbey Lane visit our website at www.incarnationchurch.ca 905-844-6200 Maple Grove & Oakhill email us at stcuthbert@bellnet.ca or visit our website at www.stcuthbertoakville.ca 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 am 160 William St. 905-844-3972 www.stjudeschurch.net Incarnation ........... 8:30 am & 10:00 am Ask about our Young Children and Worship Program St. Cuthbert .......... 8:00 am & 10:00 am Lakeshore & Dunn 905.844.3472 KnoxOakville.com St. Jude .........................Sunday worship - Walton Welcomes You Each Sunday we gather together St. Simon...................8:15 am & 10 am to be inspired by God's Wednesdays at 9:30 am message - through His words, 905-845-8351 1450 Litchfield Road music and prayer. visit our website at www.stsimon.ca All are welcome to join us for fair trade coffee, tea or juice St. Luke, Palermo ................... 10:30 am and a chat between the services, 905-825-3364 3114 Dundas St. West 10:30-11:00 am. visit our website at www.stlukepalermo.ca Rev. Jim Gill St. Aidan's........... 8:30 a.m. Celtic Eucharist Coordinating Minister Sunday Worship 10:30 am 10:00 am Family Eucharist and Sunday School 905-845-6111 318 Queen Mary Dr., Oakville www.staidensoakville.org http://www.waltonmemorial.com www.oakvilleanglicans.ca