History
Why Promote Health in Schools?
Comprehensive School Health is...
Theoretical Base
A New Model
HASC and HASC Too! - What's the Difference?
Application Process
History
The Healthy Active School Communities (HASC) initiative is a comprehensive school health program in which local schools have been involved for almost 10 years. It began in 2002 as a pilot program with seven elementary schools. The program grew each year. By 2009, over 40 schools were participating, with one secondary school piloting the model.
In 2010, the HASC model underwent a review process and a new program was introduced to schools in September 2011.
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Why Promote Health in Schools?
The evidence is growing from across the world that health and education are inextricably linked. Healthy young people who attend school tend to learn better and good education leads to healthier people.
Children and youth in Canada are facing a health crisis. Decreased physical activity levels, poor nutrition, and many social pressures all impact a student’s health and well-being and ultimately, success in school.
Well nourished children who get enough physical activity have greater attention span, memory and concentration. Healthy children have increased self-esteem, self confidence and self image. They also feel more connected to school, and show fewer behavioural problems. Studies have found that both proper nutrition and increased physical activity are linked to better grades. There is international recognition that schools are an ideal setting in which to promote health.
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Comprehensive School Health Promotion is...
Comprehensive school health is an internationally recognized framework for supporting improvements in students’ educational outcomes while addressing school health in a planned, integrated and holistic way. It is not just about what happens in the classroom. Rather, it encompasses the whole school environment with actions addressing four distinct but inter-related pillars that provide a strong foundation for comprehensive school health: social and physical environment; teaching and learning; healthy school policy; and partnerships and services. When actions in all four pillars are harmonized, students are supported to realize their full potential as learners – and as healthy, productive members of society. (Joint Consortium for School Health)
The Ontario Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health Promotion have collaboratively developed a framework to illustrate the four pillars of comprehensive school health. Foundations for a Healthy School.
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Theoretical Base
The comprehensive school health movement is not a new approach to health in schools. With its roots taken from the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986), this approach to health can be seen in schools around the world, within Canada, and in Ontario.
Best or promising practices in both education and health systems are used to guide the local program. Literature reviews and information gained through experience here and in other models are used to make programming decisions to best support participating schools and to move them forward through the HASC process.
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The New Model
The HASC model was reviewed during the 2010-2011 school year in an attempt to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the program and to increase sustainability. The current model came about due to an updated mandate for public health, significant and new school health research, and a change in capacity to support healthy schools in both health and education sectors. The revisions to the program are based on research, community input and available resources.
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HASC and HASC Too! - What's the Difference?
HASC
All schools are encouraged to be HASC schools. Promoting student success and quality education is what schools are all about. A Healthy Active School Community can provide a supportive environment where healthy and successful learners develop the knowledge, skills and resiliency they need to face life’s challenges.
Schools that choose to participate in HASC are encouraged to follow a process and to work on meeting the four pillars of the Foundations for a Healthy School Framework. By doing so, the schools will qualify for the Ministry of Education’s Healthy Schools Recognition Program.
The HASC schools are supported with online resources, regular communications, professional development opportunities, and information about curriculum resources and supports.
HASC too!
Schools ready to make a more in-depth commitment to comprehensive school health, over a 2-3 year period, may wish to apply to the HASC too! program. A limited number of schools who apply will be chosen to participate in this program. The selection process is done in collaboration with the school boards and the health unit.
HASC too! schools receive all general supports provided to HASC schools plus in-depth support from a public health nurse and/or dietitian assigned specifically to the school. The health professional assigned to the school will assist the school in working through the HASC process in the areas of physical activity, healthy eating or other areas determined by the school. Additional supports include education opportunities for parents, training and development of HASC student leaders, and employee wellness.
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Application Process
Schools interested in the HASC or HASC too! program can contact the Health Unit at 613-966-5513 ext. 279. The public health nurse will explain the two different programs available, the commitment required from the school, and the supports provided. Please note: the HASC too! program has a limit of 8 schools and new applications will be accepted as space allows.
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