Healthy Schools BC Newsletter
May 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 
View other healthy school grant opportunities here.
Video of the Month:
Start a Conversation  
Conversations about mental health can be beneficial in raising awareness about this important issue. Watch this very inspiring video from Summerland Secondary School students talking about mental health. 

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 

1205-700 W Pender St 

Vancouver, BC 

V6C 1G8

 

www.dashbc.ca

info@dashbc.ca    

 

phone: 604-681-0600

fax: 604-681-0602   

 

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our videos on YouTube Visit our blog 
Featured Articles
May 7th Is National Child & Youth Mental Health Day 
Ten years of caring, connected relationships
 
Each year, the Institute of Families for Child and Youth Mental Health,  dedicates its efforts on May 7th to helping foster wellbeing and 'caring, connected relationships' between young people and caring adults for Child and Youth Mental Health Day.  This year marks the tenth anniversary of that commitment! Click here for information about how to get involved, and to learn about mental health resources available in BC. 
DASH Update
ASSAI: Creating a New After School Program Guide    
Complete the survey to win a $100 gift certificate

The After School Sport and Arts Initiative (ASSAI) is creating a new after school program guide and is looking for your support! The intention of a new program guide is to support the start-up and ongoing delivery of high-quality after school programs that reduce barriers to children's participation and are meaningful to each unique community. Click here to learn more.  
School District Readiness Grants 
Applications due May 6th, 2016

There are only a few days left to submit your School District Readiness Grant application! The Healthy Schools BC School District Readiness Grant aims to support school districts to identify and address priorities for healthy schools through strengthening and shaping partnerships with health sector partners. For questions about your application, email us at grants@healthyschoolsbc.ca.  
School Connectedness
What Do You See? 
Mental wellbeing in BC schools  
 
Many BC schools undertake activities that support the mental wellbeing of students and build their connection to school. While some of the work is visible, like peer mentoring and social emotional learning programs, much of it is less visible and obvious. You have to really look for it and in some instances, search outside of the box. Click here to read more. 
Healthy Schools Stories
Stories from Okanagan Schools 
Mental health awareness in schools

Schools in the Okanagan are making a positive difference for their school communities by focusing on increasing mental health awareness. Mount Boucherie Secondary School in SD 23 used an inquiry-based approach in asking, "Will the mental health of our staff and students improve if intervention and activities are put in place during stressful times of the year?" Students at Princess Margaret Secondary School in SD 67 led positive mental health initiatives to promote positive mental health for all, aligning with Child and Youth Mental Health Day. These inspiring stories and more are found on the Healthy Schools BC Stories Map. 
Healthy School Resources
MindShift App 
Supporting youth to cope with anxiety 
   
MindShift is an app designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety. This app includes strategies and tools for anxiety and will help youth learn how to relax, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will help take charge of their anxiety. MindShift is an excellent resource for school communities to address Child and Youth Mental Health Day on May 7th. Click here to learn more. 
McCreary Centre Society Report 
Raven's Children IV: Aboriginal Youth Health in BC 
   
Raven's Children IV provides a comprehensive picture of the health of Aboriginal youth in BC using data from the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey. The report was overseen by an advisory committee of experts in Aboriginal youth health, and reviewed by Elders, youth and other Aboriginal community members across the province. To access the report and review presentations about the report, click here.  
Professional Development Opportunities 
2016 summer workshops and institutes for educators 
  
Are you looking to enhance your professional development this summer? There are a variety of exciting professional development opportunities through summer institutes, workshops and conferences. Check out the learning opportunities here!
Calling BC Youth to Enter the Hands-on Cook-off!
Contest ends May 20th, 2016  
    
Better Together BC is pleased to announce the seventh annual  Hands-on Cook-off contest with a special category for youth. This exciting contest encourages youth to team up with friends to create a short video of how to make your favorite recipe. Click here to read more. 
Tobacco Targets Youth with Flavour 
Canadian Cancer Society's Flavoured Tobacco Toolkit 
  
Chocolate, cherry, vanilla and strawberry. Sound appealing? You're not the only one who thinks so. Tobacco companies add fruit, candy and menthol flavours to products to make them more appealing and palatable to youth. The Canadian Cancer Society is concerned with the increasing popularity of flavoured tobacco product use among youth and has created a toolkit for educators to use in their classrooms. Click here to read more.
Farm to School BC 
Spring has sprung! Time to start gardening 
  
The soil is softening, trees and plants are in bloom - it's the season for planning, preparing and planting. This means that it is time to get school and home gardens underway! Farm to School BC has lots of great information and supportive resources for your gardens. Click here to read more.