Health Information & Resources for Elementary & Secondary Schools

A Healthy Start to School provides information, tips and advice to support a child’s transition to kindergarten.

The Clean Hands Kit provides activities and videos to teach children in Grades 4 to 6 how to effectively clean their hands.

See Communicable Disease Information for Schools & Child Care Centres for information about reportable and non-reportable diseases.

Reporting a Communicable Disease to Toronto Public Health:

• If a disease of public health significance is suspected/confirmed, child care centres and school principals/administrators must report to the Communicable Disease Notification Unit (CDNU) at 416-392-7411 during business hours Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, or fax: 416-392-0047.
• Exception for COVID-19: Current provincial guidelines do not require child care centres and schools to report positive cases of COVID-19 to Public Health.

Non-reportable communicable diseases do not need to be reported to public health. Examples of non-reportable communicable diseases include: the common cold; hand, foot and mouth disease; pink eye; ringworm; and strep throat.

General information on Respiratory Viruses, COVID-19 and Immunizations is also available.

Information on the dental screening program for students in Grades JK to 8, as well as information for high school screenings and workshops, and curriculum resources.

• 211 – Community and Social Services 
• Settlement.Org – Search for services in Toronto for health, housing, employment, education, recreation and legal matters. Information is available in more than 30 languages.
• Mental Health Resources
• Call Connex Ontario 1-866-531-2600 for free, 24/7 information on addiction and mental health

Information on head lice identification, treatment and prevention.

Information on The Healthy Schools program and approach, including the Healthy Schools Toolkit.

Français: Écoles Saines

School Liaison Public Health Nurses work directly with schools to promote and advocate for Healthy Schools.

• A Healthy Start to School
• At Home Alone
• Head Lice
• Children and Stress
• Physical Activity
• Building Resilient Youth
• Respiratory Viruses and Reduce Virus spread
• Report Student Vaccinations
• Talking to Your Teen About Alcohol, Cannabis and Other Drugs
• Teens, Alcohol and Cannabis
• Vision Health for School-Age Children
• Mental Health Resources
• Resources to Support Parents & Caregivers – Sexual Health Promotion
• Vaping Family Resources

TPH Letters to Schools:

• TPH Back to School letter to Parents/Guardians of Publicly Funded Schools (also available in French)

Information and resources for schools related to nutrition:

• Student Nutrition Programs provide nutritious meals and snacks to students to give them the nutrients and energy they need to be ready to learn. Every day, over 211,000 Toronto students participate in student nutrition programs.  Learn more about Student Nutrition Programs, training and grant application details.
• The food choices that school-age children and youth make directly influence their learning and health. Find information on Feeding Your School-Age Children & Youth
• Canada’s Food Guide is produced by Health Canada to promote a healthy eating pattern that meets your nutritional needs and reduces your risk of certain chronic diseases.
• The sample action plan on Nutrition provides activity ideas which Healthy School Committees can use to develop their health action plans.

Information and resources for schools related to physical activity

• Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) is a student-led program in which children are trained to plan and lead fun and safe activities on the playground during lunch or at recess.
• Outdoors: The Ultimate Playground provides physical activity information, tips and guidelines for child care providers, educators and parents of children ages 6 to 12 years.
• Information on how to promote walking to school with parents and students.

• Moving on the Spot poster was designed to make it easier for adults to be physically active with children 4 to 12 years of age. Available in the following languages: English, Chinese, French, Spanish and Tamil.
• Physical Activity
• The sample action plan on Physical Activity provides ideas which Healthy School Committees can use to develop their health action plans.

For school administration and teachers: find information on the School Liaison Public Health Nurse linked to your school.

Information and resources to support and guide teachers in sexual health education for students in Grades 5 to 12.

Information on Reporting Student Vaccination (ISPA) and the School Immunization Program.

Information and resources for schools related to substance use:

• Alcohol and Other Drugs
• Cannabis and Your Health
• Safer partying for teens, parents/caregivers and school staff.
• Information to help parents and other adults understand issues related to teenage use alcohol and cannabis
• The sample action plan on Substance Use provides ideas which Healthy School Committees can use to develop their health action plans
• Information and resources on Vaping prevention and cessation for teens, parents/caregivers and school staff.

Activities to be used with children from Preschool to Grade 6 to educate them on the importance of sun safety.

Youth Leadership Initiatives aim to build resiliency among youth leaders in Grades 7 to 12.