Healthy Schools BC Newsletter
February 2016
Stay Connected to the Healthy Schools Movement in BC
There are plenty of ways to stay connected to the healthy schools movement! Follow DASH on social media for all your healthy schools news and happenings.

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our videos on YouTube Visit our blog
Grant Opportunities 
Deadline: Feb. 5, 2016  
 
Deadline: Feb. 15, 2016 
 
Deadline: Feb. 15, 2016 
 
Deadline: Feb. 19, 2016 
 
Deadline: Feb. 29, 2016 
 
Deadline: Apr. 8, 2016 
 
Breakfast Club of Canada
Deadline: Ongoing

Good Sports Equipment Grant
Deadline: Ongoing

KidSport BC Program
Deadline: Ongoing  

View other healthy school grant opportunities here.
Video of the Month:
Montecito Elementary Fosters School Connectedness 
Montecito Elementary School in Burnaby School District 41 shares their inspiring story of fostering school connectedness. In 2013, a climate study at Montecito revealed far too many students did not feel safe at school, lacked happiness, empathy, pro-social skills, awareness of community programs, and opportunities for decision making. The results set the school on a new journey - one that purposefully and intentionally shifted the focus to social emotional learning, family involvement and caring relationships among all members of the school community. Watch their video here.  
Have a Great Story? We Want to Hear It!
We want to hear your healthy schools story! Educators, students and community members across the province are working hard to create healthier schools. Sharing your stories can help support and inspire others, and viewing stories from other schools can do the same for you. Check out the Healthy Schools Stories Map today!
Submitting an Article for the Newsletter
How would you like to promote your organization's message to members of the health and education sectors across BC? To learn how to submit an article for the Healthy Schools BC Newsletter, please visit the Healthy Schools BC website here for submission dates and guidelines. 
About DASH BC
The Healthy Schools BC Newsletter is brought to you by DASH BC. Our vision is that ALL children and youth in BC will realize their full potential as healthy learners who feel connected and engaged in their community
 
We are a non-profit society that inspires our partners and stakeholders to improve the health and learning of students in BC by promoting, supporting and facilitating a healthy schools approach. Visit our website for more information. 
 
DASH BC 

#530-510 Burrard St. 

Vancouver, BC 

V6C 3A8
 www.dashbc.ca

info@dashbc.ca
 

phone: 604-681-0600

fax: 604-681-0602
 

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Featured Articles
Show Your Kindness by Wearing Pink on Feb. 24 
DASH takes a look at anti-bullying resources for BC schools

February 24th is Pink Shirt Day. This year, the theme for Pink Shirt Day is kindness. To support your participation in Pink Shirt Day, we have put together a list of anti-bullying and positive mental health resources that can be incorporated into the formal and informal curriculum and after-school activities to help your school eliminate bullying and promote kindness. Click here to read more!
DASH Update
HSN Inquiry Grants 
Grants close February 5th, 2016

Healthy Schools Network (HSN) Grants are available until February 5th, 2016! The HSN Inquiry Grant is intended to provide financial support for educators and school community members as they transform the way they address healthy living in their classrooms and across all aspects of the school environment. Click here to read more about the grant and how you can apply.
Healthy Schools and Healthy Learners Webinar Series 
Upcoming webinar series to start March 1

Please join us for a Healthy Schools and Healthy Learners Webinar series hosted by Healthy Schools BC and the Healthy Schools Network. The first webinar will take place on March 1, 2016 and will showcase the Activity Before Learning (ABL) initiative at Shoreline Middle School in Victoria. Click here to learn more about the webinar series and how to participate.
School Connectedness
The Power of Hello 
Building school connectedness
 
A friendly hello can be a simple and powerful way to put a smile on someone's face, reassure someone during a challenging time, or even just make someone feel welcome. Research tells us that students who are well connected to teachers and peers within their learning environment are more likely to prosper. This month we are sharing a few examples of building school connectedness. Click here to read more.
Healthy Schools Stories
Buddy Bench 
Creating healthy relationships in Penticton schools
Schools in Penticton have been focusing on fostering healthy  relationships amongst students. Some students expressed that they do not have friends to play with at recess and lunch. To address this concern, schools have implemented a "Buddy Bench" where students can sit if they would like someone to play with. If other students see someone sitting on the bench, they can invite them to play. Read more about how the "Buddy Bench" promoted a positive, inclusive and friendly school environment from Uplands Elementary School and Giant's Head Elementary School. 
Healthy School Resources
Healthy Living for Teens Booklets 
Electronic resources available at Healthy Schools BC 
 
Healthy Living for Teens is an electronic booklet that provides tips for teens to stay healthy during their busy times balancing school, friends, work, family, clubs, sports, and volunteering. The online resource provides tips to feel healthy through eating right, being active and having positive mental wellbeing. The resource is downloadable here. 
Celebrate Heart Month with Your Students! 
New HeartSmart Kids™ online resources 
 
HeartSmart Kids™ celebrates their 20th anniversary with new online resources! These new and highly engaging resources for the program are a fun and effective approach to help students learn to make healthy choices that will guide them throughout their lives. Click here to read more. 
New Resources for Farm to School Advocates 
Inspiring resources and healthy local food 
 
Farm to School BC has two new resources to share that were developed by the Farm to School Vancouver Area Regional Hub: a new Farm to School Guide for the Vancouver area, and a powerful video about Vancouver-based Farm to School programs. These resources, while regional, are highly useful for any individual or groups interested in sourcing local food for their school. Click here to learn more about these resources.
Let's Put Our Voices into Action 
Promoting healthy relationships

February is anti-bullying awareness month but, when it comes down  to it, every month offers opportunities to broach this important topic with our students. Sparking dialogue through stories, videos and exercises throughout each month of the school year (while still aligning with curriculum standards) is possible. Voices into Action has available online resources to foster healthy relationships. Click here to read more.
Evaluation of Online Concussion Awareness Toolkit 
Surveys for a chance to win an iPad Mini for your school!
Dr. Shelina Babul at the University of British Columbia, Department of Paediatrics is leading an evaluation of the new On-line Concussion Awareness Training Toolkit for School Professionals (CATT School Professionals). CATT provides up-to-date education, tools and resources to effectively recognize, respond and help support a student's return to school following a concussion. This research study seeks to evaluate this new resource. Click here to read more and access surveys.