Island Health works as a partner with schools, school districts and communities for student health and well-being.
Medical Health Officers serve at School Medical Offices under the School Act.
What is a healthy school?
A healthy school is a place where students have opportunities to develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
In a healthy school, wellness is part of all areas of school and learning so students can achieve more.
A healthy school involves all members of a school community: students, parents and guardians, teachers, administrators, school staff, health partners and community groups.
How can Island Health support your school?
The Healthy School Team can help your school:
- identify health priorities or topics to focus on
- provide links to community resources and services
- support connections with community partners
- share and interpret health information
- find resources and grants to support healthy school projects
How can you get involved?
If you are a parent or school staff and want to get involved, contact your local health unit to find out how.
View and share Healthy Schools Stories in your community and check out other examples of healthy schools across BC.
Glucagon Administration in the School Setting
Knowing how and when to administer glucagon to students with Type 1 diabetes is essential for any new and returning school staff who support these students. This 18-minute video, created by our colleagues in Fraser Health, describes the why, what, when and how to support students with/who are at risk of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). At the end of the session, learners will be able to:
• State and recognize the causes of low blood sugar
• Respond to low blood sugar in a student with Type 1 diabetes
• Administer glucagon by injection or nasal spray
Inserts for School Newsletters
Island Health provides newsletter inserts that schools can include in communications to their school community.
Contact your local health unit for copies of newsletter inserts related to communicable diseases.
School Absenteeism Reporting
Routine reporting of elevated illness from schools is no longer required. However, if a school would like additional support with a GI or respiratory cluster, they can reach out to Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, or the Duty Nurse at a local Public Health Unit.
