Take Action Towards Healthy Living

Toronto Public Health’s Take Action Towards Healthy Living is a resource that will promote healthy eating, physical activity, sun safety and smoke-free living and injury prevention with ready-made physical activity announcements and parent newsletter inserts. It uses a school-wide approach and is in line with the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School.

This resource has a series of easy-to-use and colour-coded packages, with ideas to help promote a healthy school environment.

Topics include:

  • Healthy Eating (JK-8)
  • Physical Activity (JK-8)
  • Sun Safety (JK-8)
  • Smoke-Free Living (JK-8)
  • Injury Prevention (JK-8)

The packages can be tailored to your school’s needs and will help you:

  • Create a comprehensive action plan that builds on successes and involves students, school staff, parents and caregivers
  • Promote healthy eating, physical activity, sun safety and smoke-free living with ready-made physical activity announcements and parent newsletter inserts
  • Plan healthy and creative fundraising ideas
  • Access resources and programs from Toronto Public Health and other organizations to support your action plan as well as your school curriculum

Take action one step at a time

Change does not need to happen all at once. By taking small, manageable steps, your school will achieve big gains.

You don’t need to do this on your own

A Public Health Nurse is available to work with you to create an action plan and support the use of this resource in your school community.

Contact your Public Health Nurse at Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600.

Other resources in the Take Action packages include information on community resources and ideas on Healthy Fundraising. See below for details.

Fundraising is an important source of income for school programs and activities. Choose healthy fundraising activities or items that will reinforce the health messages aimed at children and youth throughout the year. Check with your School Board for fundraising ideas and approved vendors. Keep in mind that school fundraisers have to comply with the new School Food and Beverage Policy which came into effect September 1, 2011.

Healthy fundraising activities could include: 

  • 5-day challenge (e.g., “TV Turn Off Week”) between students, teachers, families and/or classrooms
  • art auction – projects created by each class are put on auction
  • book fair
  • car wash
  • collect pledges for: dance-a-thons, move-a-thons, run-a-thons, sing-a-thons, hoop-shooting events
  • community recipe booklet – with recipes submitted from students, staff, and parents/caregivers
  • craft sale
  • family wellness night contests
  • friendly intramural sporting events
  • gift basket raffle – each class creates a gift basket for the raffle
  • movie nights—be sure to serve healthy refreshments
  • coin drive – each class collects spare change from students
  • rummage sale
  • school Spirit days
  • seasonal fun fairs
  • silent auction featuring products/talents from local businesses (e.g., round of golf, horseback riding lesson, haircut)
  • talent night featuring students/families from the school
  • teacher vs. students/parents/caregivers sports games/activities– charge a small admission fee

Healthy fundraising items could include: 

  • calendars
  • decorations— students can make decorations, jewellery, etc. for seasonal holidays
  • fresh vegetables and fruits
  • gift items with school logo (e.g. pens, tote bags)
  • greeting cards, gift bags, gift wrap
  • magazine subscriptions   
  • dried fruit
  • seasonings/spices, pasta sauces, marinades, seeds, plants
  • school apparel, sporting goods, sun hats

Other sources of funding:

Community Donations

  • Approach stores, businesses, and banks in the area for funds, discounts or other donations.
  • Community centres and agencies may be willing to donate space or equipment.
  • Local service clubs may be willing to donate to your school.

Grants – Check your School Board policy and procedures before applying for external grants