CLASS is a province-wide research project that looks at the relationships between health, nutrition, physical activity, mental health and school performance of children in Nova Scotia. CLASS was first completed in 2003 with over 5000 Grade 5 students and their parents in 282 schools.
Since 2003, schools across Nova Scotia have taken action on school health. CLASS II is trying to understand how these changes have influenced children's health and school performance by collecting similar information from students in Grade 5 in 2011.
With support from 272 schools across the province, CLASS II successfully completed data collection in with over 5,500 Grade 5 students across Nova Scotia. We will be conducting qualitative research, analyzing the data and reporting the results in 2011-2013.
Featured Health Promoting Schools Resources
A Review of the Evidence: School-based Interventions to Address Obesity Prevention in Children 6-12 Years of Age
This review was supported by Health Evidence who was awarded a CIHR „Partnerships for Health System Improvement‟ grant (Principle Investigator, Maureen Dobbins) to use case study methodology to explore tailored ways to move relevant research evidence into the hands of public health staff, and to assist staff, managers and directors in using that evidence to make decisions about policy and programs.
file: Final_Report_Sept_24-12.pdf
This review was supported by Health Evidence who was awarded a CIHR „Partnerships for Health System Improvement‟ grant (Principle Investigator, Maureen Dobbins) to use case study methodology to explore tailored ways to move relevant research evidence into the hands of public health staff, and to assist staff, managers and directors in using that evidence to make decisions about policy and programs.
file: Final_Report_Sept_24-12.pdf
Advocating for the Health of Children and Youth
The Heart and Stroke Foundation has had a vested interest in the health of our children and youth for many years. We believe it is important to invest in the future health and well-being of our children now. The Foundation will champion active, safe walking and wheeling and providing education on food preparation. We want to work with parents to help find ways to make the healthy choice the easy choice for our children now and in the future. Sadly, we are facing the first generation of children that may have a shorter life expectancy than that of thier parents.
link: http://www.heartandstroke.ns.c...
The Heart and Stroke Foundation has had a vested interest in the health of our children and youth for many years. We believe it is important to invest in the future health and well-being of our children now. The Foundation will champion active, safe walking and wheeling and providing education on food preparation. We want to work with parents to help find ways to make the healthy choice the easy choice for our children now and in the future. Sadly, we are facing the first generation of children that may have a shorter life expectancy than that of thier parents.
link: http://www.heartandstroke.ns.c...
The Importance of Supporting School Health Promotion Strategies
Healthy choices are not always easy to make in our daily lives. Nutritious food is expensive and it can be hard to get enough physical activity for health benefi ts. A fundamental shift is needed in our communities and schools to make Nova Scotia one of the healthiest and prosperous places for our children. Support from all levels of elected leaders is part of the solution if we want our children to grow up healthy, happy and successful.
file: Supporting_Schools_Advocacy_HIGH.pdf
Healthy choices are not always easy to make in our daily lives. Nutritious food is expensive and it can be hard to get enough physical activity for health benefi ts. A fundamental shift is needed in our communities and schools to make Nova Scotia one of the healthiest and prosperous places for our children. Support from all levels of elected leaders is part of the solution if we want our children to grow up healthy, happy and successful.
file: Supporting_Schools_Advocacy_HIGH.pdf
Promoting Health in Schools: From Evidence to Action
The document provides succinct evidence-based arguments to support the need for school health promotion and advocates for a whole school (Health Promoting Schools) approach to strategically plan and implement school health initiatives. The content includes brief summaries of the latest evidence of effectiveness in building the health knowledge, behaviours and competencies in young people to prevent non-communicable diseases. It is intended to address policy and decision-makers and education officials in a manner that is understood and applicable to both sectors.
link: http://www.iuhpe.org/index.htm...
file: Promoting_Health_in_Schools_-_From_Evide
The document provides succinct evidence-based arguments to support the need for school health promotion and advocates for a whole school (Health Promoting Schools) approach to strategically plan and implement school health initiatives. The content includes brief summaries of the latest evidence of effectiveness in building the health knowledge, behaviours and competencies in young people to prevent non-communicable diseases. It is intended to address policy and decision-makers and education officials in a manner that is understood and applicable to both sectors.
link: http://www.iuhpe.org/index.htm...
file: Promoting_Health_in_Schools_-_From_Evide
Joint Consortium for School Health: What is Comprehensive School Health?
This website provides a framework for comprehensive school health while also describing why we need the framework in our schools, and what other regions in Canada are calling the same framework. Although the terminology is different, the concepts are the same.
link: http://www.jcsh-cces.ca/index....
This website provides a framework for comprehensive school health while also describing why we need the framework in our schools, and what other regions in Canada are calling the same framework. Although the terminology is different, the concepts are the same.
link: http://www.jcsh-cces.ca/index....
The Health Promoting School: Developing Indicators and an Evaluation
This report integrates the findings from 3 major studies done in Ontario. 1) Relationship between health and achievement: Evidence from the health behaviour in school-aged children study 2) Student health and wellbeing: an examination of student and school factors 3) The Health Promoting School: Two case studies in Ontario This report neatly outlines the importance of investing in health promoting schools and provides implications for policy.
file: The_Health_Promoting_School_-_Developing
This report integrates the findings from 3 major studies done in Ontario. 1) Relationship between health and achievement: Evidence from the health behaviour in school-aged children study 2) Student health and wellbeing: an examination of student and school factors 3) The Health Promoting School: Two case studies in Ontario This report neatly outlines the importance of investing in health promoting schools and provides implications for policy.
file: The_Health_Promoting_School_-_Developing
Achieving Health Promoting Schools: Guildelines for promoting health in schools
This publication demonstrates why health promoting schools is so important and gives a great description of what a truly comprehensive approach would look like in schools. Use this guide to help your school or community make some changes and set some realistic health promotion goals.
file: Achieving_Health_Promoting_Schools_-_Gui
This publication demonstrates why health promoting schools is so important and gives a great description of what a truly comprehensive approach would look like in schools. Use this guide to help your school or community make some changes and set some realistic health promotion goals.
file: Achieving_Health_Promoting_Schools_-_Gui
News and Events
ParticipACTION Forum - Health Promoting Schools
January 17, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. AST The ParticipACTION Forums are designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing between partners. The theme of the January webinar is Health Promoting Schools, and will allow participants to connect, share insights and potentially collaborate on future initiatives.
January 17, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. AST The ParticipACTION Forums are designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing between partners. The theme of the January webinar is Health Promoting Schools, and will allow participants to connect, share insights and potentially collaborate on future initiatives.
PHE Canada Award Nominations Open - February 28/13 Deadline (December 10, 2012)
Award nominations now open: Recognize someone in the field of health and physical education today! Do you know someone who has made a positive contribution to the health and physical education field? Make sure they receive the recognition that they deserve and nominate them today. Act quick, the deadline for most awards is February 28, 2013.
link: http://www.phecanada.ca/awards...
Award nominations now open: Recognize someone in the field of health and physical education today! Do you know someone who has made a positive contribution to the health and physical education field? Make sure they receive the recognition that they deserve and nominate them today. Act quick, the deadline for most awards is February 28, 2013.
link: http://www.phecanada.ca/awards...
Media Coverage of the Childhood & Adolescent Obesity Conference (October 25, 2012)
Halifax is playing host to the conversation about Recent Advances in the Prevention and Management of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. Here are a few clips from the media.
Halifax is playing host to the conversation about Recent Advances in the Prevention and Management of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. Here are a few clips from the media.
2012 School Board and Municipal Candidate Feedback on Comprehensive School Health
The perspectives of prospective candidates in the 2012 Nova Scotia School Board and Municipal Elections are important in shaping the health of our children and youth. The NS Alliance for Health Eating + Physical Activity and the CLASS research team contacted all candidates, provided an information sheet regarding the importance of school health strategies and asked them to share their views.
file: CLASS_II_Nova_Scotia_Municipal_Elections
The perspectives of prospective candidates in the 2012 Nova Scotia School Board and Municipal Elections are important in shaping the health of our children and youth. The NS Alliance for Health Eating + Physical Activity and the CLASS research team contacted all candidates, provided an information sheet regarding the importance of school health strategies and asked them to share their views.
file: CLASS_II_Nova_Scotia_Municipal_Elections
Apply Today for a Health Promoting School Grant
PHE Canada is now accepting applications for Health Promoting School Grants. These are two granting areas available; elementary/secondary and post-secondary. Schools and communities are prime locations for the adoption of the Health Promoting Schools (HPS) approach, but rely on leaders to support schools in attaining a healthy school community. If you are an individual who believes in the philosophy of HPS and would value the opportunity to demonstrate leadership by supporting a school or a community in implementing HPS initiatives, PHE Canada may support your efforts with a funding grant.
link: http://www.phecanada.ca/awards...
PHE Canada is now accepting applications for Health Promoting School Grants. These are two granting areas available; elementary/secondary and post-secondary. Schools and communities are prime locations for the adoption of the Health Promoting Schools (HPS) approach, but rely on leaders to support schools in attaining a healthy school community. If you are an individual who believes in the philosophy of HPS and would value the opportunity to demonstrate leadership by supporting a school or a community in implementing HPS initiatives, PHE Canada may support your efforts with a funding grant.
link: http://www.phecanada.ca/awards...
The Importance of Supporting School Health Promotion Strategies
School board elections are coming up and Your perspective in the upcoming school board or municipal election is important in shaping a healthy, prosperous future for our children. If you are elected, what will you do to support healthy school communities in your jurisdiction? Read this to find out how your responses can be featured on our website and shared with constituents in your community.
file: Supporting_Schools_Advocacy_HIGH.pdf
School board elections are coming up and Your perspective in the upcoming school board or municipal election is important in shaping a healthy, prosperous future for our children. If you are elected, what will you do to support healthy school communities in your jurisdiction? Read this to find out how your responses can be featured on our website and shared with constituents in your community.
file: Supporting_Schools_Advocacy_HIGH.pdf
ADD IT UP! Health Eating + Physical Activity = A+
On September 26th, 2012, the ADD IT UP! webinar took place and is now available online for viewing.
link: http://www.hpclearinghouse.ca/...
On September 26th, 2012, the ADD IT UP! webinar took place and is now available online for viewing.
link: http://www.hpclearinghouse.ca/...
Healthy Schools Community Concept Paper Released
A new concept paper commissioned by PHE Canada, funded by The Lawson Foundation, and written by The Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, has just been released. In the paper, the link between overall health and the increased capacity to learn is established. The paper brings together policy, practice and research perspectives, with the intention of promoting a shared common goal: for schools to become more health promoting. The paper addresses the frameworks for Healthy School Communities, core components of Healthy School Communities, strategies for success, fundamental principles, and possible challenges faced.
link: http://www.phecanada.ca/progra...
file: healthy-school-communities-concept-paper
A new concept paper commissioned by PHE Canada, funded by The Lawson Foundation, and written by The Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, has just been released. In the paper, the link between overall health and the increased capacity to learn is established. The paper brings together policy, practice and research perspectives, with the intention of promoting a shared common goal: for schools to become more health promoting. The paper addresses the frameworks for Healthy School Communities, core components of Healthy School Communities, strategies for success, fundamental principles, and possible challenges faced.
link: http://www.phecanada.ca/progra...
file: healthy-school-communities-concept-paper