Education Professionals

Teachers Resources

Resources for Teachers

Lambton Public Health provides teachers with reliable learning supports to help build the skills and knowledge needed to enhance the well-being of their students.

Sexual Health

Importance of teaching sexual health education 

Along with Sexual health education being a key component of the Ontario Health & Physical Education Curriculum Expectations 2019, research shows that: 

“Youth in Canada want comprehensive sexual health education that is inclusive, relevant, evidence-based, and incorporates a balanced approach that includes the positive aspects of sexuality and the prevention of sexual health problems” (SIECCAN. (2019). Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education. Toronto, ON: Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN)) 

Getting ready to teach Sexual Health Education

Visit the links below to explore important considerations and enhance your understanding of concepts related to sexual health.

Websites and Programs to Support Educators

Differing Abilities

Information and resources for teaching sexual health to students with developmental disabilities developed by Alberta Health Services.

SHORE Centre (Sexual Health. Options. Resources. Education)

Provides resources and professional development workshops for educators of all grade levels to help teach about the human body, healthy relationships, consent, respecting diversity, and more.  

Teaching Sexual Health

Find lesson plans and classroom resources for students with differing abilities by grade, topic, language, or resource type. All lesson plans include specific curriculum outcomes. Teacher webinars and workshops are also available.

Support From Lambton Public Health

Lambton Public Health is committed to offering support to teachers and schools. For support or questions about teaching sexual health, please contact 519-383-8331 ext 3668 or email your inquiry to healthyschools@county-lambton.on.ca.

Youth Engagement

The Fourth R Strategies for Youth Healthy Relationships

A comprehensive school-based program to promote healthy youth relationships by building the capacity for students, teachers, parents, and the community, in reducing violence and risk factors. For Grades 7-12.

Additional Supports

Healthy Growth & Development 

Oral Health

Our dental screening program screens school children in JK, SK, Grade 2 and Grade 7 for oral health concerns. When we identify a child who has dental care needs, we will provide information and resources to parents and guardians to support early treatment and care. This screening is not intended to replace routine visits to a dental health professional.

Additional Resources:

Access to Dental Care – Healthy Smiles Ontario 

Information and resources

Dental Hygiene Canada

Evidence based information, activity sheets, and infographics to support the oral health curriculum.

Canada Dental Association

Provides educator resources to support learning and teaching about the importance of oral health in a fun way. Topics include oral care, nutrition, tooth decay, fluoride, and more.

Visual Health

Lambton Public Health will support schools, caregivers, and parents in accessing visual health services. Annual visits to the optometrist are covered by OHIP for children 19 years old and younger. Call 519-383-8331 to learn more about how you can support your students and families in accessing available funding for glasses.

Additional Resources:

Active Living & Physical Literacy

Active Transportation

Being active on the way to school helps prepare students for learning by improving cognitive development and brain health, as well as memory and attention in the classroom. It can also help build social connections and independence. Local organizations, such as nuSarnia Foundation and the Lakeshore Eco-Network (Lambton Shores) work to promote active transportation in our communities. Lesson plans are available on the Curriculum Resources page.

For support increasing active transportation at your school, please contact the School Health Coordinator at healthyschools@county-lambton.on.ca.

Physical Literacy

To be physically literate, children need to learn fundamental movement skills (the building blocks of activity), as part of their healthy growth and development. To learn more about fundamental movement skills and how they can be incorporated into educational settings, see the Active for Life and Kiddo Physical Literacy websites.

Student Engagement

Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS Program)

The PALS program is a student leadership program that encourages older students (e.g grades 4-6) to lead younger students (e.g. grades 1-3) in game activities over recess periods. Program benefits include increased leadership skills for student leaders, increased physical activity and physical literacy levels, increased inclusion and sense of belonging, reduced bullying and improved school climate.

See  the Additional Resources section below for PALS documents (approved for use only within Ontario). Additional planning tools and templates are available from Peel Public Health.   

To book facilitator training, or to seek support in offering PALS at your school, please contact the School Health Coordinator at healthyschools@county-lambton.on.ca.

We are always interested to know where the PALS program is active in our community, so let us know if you are practicing PALS at your school! 

Additional Resources

Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control

Guide to Common Childhood Infections
Lists common childhood illnesses, IPAC measures and exclusion criteria.

School Absenteeism Reporting Form and Diseases of Public Health Significance Reportable to Public Health
Aids in the tracking of absenteeism rates to help identify and manage outbreaks

Diseases of Public Health Significance
Outlines diseases that are reportable to the Local Public Health Unit.

Wash Your Hands Poster

Environmental Health & Safety

2024 Lyme Disease Brochure

Download and print our new 2024 Lyme Disease Brochure

Health Canada Experiences: Ticks – Little bugs, big problems!

Interactive games, videos, teacher resources, and a free tick exhibit to rent for your school, are all available through Health Canada Experiences.

Healthy Eating

Teaching Food & Nutrition – Supporting positive relationships with food

Healthy eating means different things to different people. It’s about nourishing our body, mind and spirit. Learn how well-intentioned adults sometimes paint a black and white picture of nutrition that isn’t accurate. 

View these recorded presentations & resources to learn how to support students in developing a positive relationship with food and their bodies. 

Ontario Dietitians in Public Health

Evidence based resources developed by ODPH members to support best practices related to healthy eating and nutrition in elementary and secondary schools in Ontario. English & French available.

Creating a Positive Food Environment in School

English & French resources available.

Body Image and Eating Disorders – Supporting Students

When We Know Better, We Do Better

A Conversation About Creating Weight-Neutral Schools – Physical and Health Education

Neutral Approaches and Conversations – Physical and Health Education Canada

Reshaping Body Image Among Youth – Physical and Health Education Canada

Eating Disorders Ontario – Disordered Eating Prevention

English & French resources available.

Provides community education programming (virtually outside of the GTA) to teachers and school staff, parents, and students (Grade 4-12) 

Youth & Community Engagement Opportunity

You’re the Chef – Information Sheet

You’re the Chef (YTC) is a hands-on cooking program that develops the skills and confidence of students in grades 5-8 in preparing tasty recipes emphasizing fruits and vegetables. Public Health provides training sessions for school staff who are interested in running the program in their school. To implement the program in your school email healthyschools@county-lambton.on.ca  for guidance, support, and grant funding opportunities.  

Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours

Substance Use

Blueprint for Action Resource Hub

This resource encourages an innovative way of addressing youth substance use by focusing on the overall health and wellbeing of youth.

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

The educators guide and the accompanying video modules have been developed for education professionals working with youth from Grades 6 to 12.

Harms of Substance Use Stigma

A stigma gallery to learn how stigma impacts people who use drugs

iMinds: A Health Literacy Resource

A stigma gallery to learn how stigma impacts people who use drugs

Vaping & E-Cigarettes

Not an Experiment Educator Resources

This list was created to highlight curriculum supports that meet certain criteria. Read the overview of each support or click on their image below to visit these resources. Website and material is also available in French. Targeted towards elementary aged students.

Nicotine Products

Handout: Nicotine Products and Youth Access

Educational Resource

Cannabis

Cannabis and Mental Health

Activities for educators that encourage conversation around mental health and substance use

Opioids

Opioid Info Sheet

What you and your friends need to know.  A series of info sheets on the topic of prescription opioid misuse, including a focus on fentanyl.

Mental Health Literacy

Minds Connected

Minds Connected for Schools is an online resource focused on improving access to mental health supports and services here in Lambton County.

School Mental Health Ontario 

School Mental Health Ontario offers a sequenced guide including a variety of lessons and activities organized by grade. Wayfinder Overview.

Mental Health Literacy Course for Professionals

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