Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk school boards and health units formalize partnership for Healthy Schools
Caption: (From left to right) Top row: Dr. Jo Ann Tober, Executive Director, Brant County Health Unit, Dr. Malcolm Lock, Medical Officer of Health, and Susan Taylor, Director of Public Health, Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit. Bottom row: Chris N. Roehrig, Director of Education, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and Brenda Blancher, Director of Education, Grand Erie District School Board.
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and Grand Erie District School Board will continue their partnership with Brant County Health Unit and Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit by signing a protocol titled Partnering Together for Healthy Schools.
The protocol formalizes the commitment and longstanding collaboration of public health and education in Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk in various areas of focus: to positively influence the health and well-being of children and youth through strategic partnership, communication, knowledge exchange, development of supportive environments, health protection and health promotion.
The link between health and education is paramount since healthy students are better learners, and education is a key determinant of health.
The protocol outlines the declaration statement, purpose, guiding principles, approach, and the agreement. Four working agreements are in progress or complete. The working agreements include the Healthy Schools Initiatives, the School and Student Immunization Process, Outbreak and Pandemic Preparedness, and Student Oral Health.
An official signing of the Partnering Together for Healthy Schools protocol took place on Thursday, May 11, 2017 in the Library of Walter Gretzky Elementary School/St. Basil Catholic Elementary School.
“We recognize that the development of healthy habits early on in a child’s life can impact their long-term health outcomes. It’s important that we continue to work together to provide the community supports that can help a child achieve their optimal health.”
Dr. Jo Ann Tober
Executive Director
Brant County Health Unit
“Working with our public health partners, in a collaborative way, supports the belief that child and youth well-being is a shared responsibility. This partnership, along with the support of our families and community agencies, provides our students with the best possible opportunity for optimal health.”
Chris N. Roehrig
Director of Education
Brant Haldimand Norfolk
Catholic District School Board
“Collaboration and partnership are essential, especially when health and education are involved. Together, with the health units, we are working closely with families, schools and community partners to promote positive, healthy outcomes for our students.”
Brenda Blancher
Director of Education
Grand Erie District School Board
“We know that health and education are symbiotic, one impacts the other and vice versa. For that reason, a partnership agreement such as this is an important step in formally recognizing the interconnected nature of our goals and our shared commitment to creating healthy school communities that foster student well-being and success.”
Susan Taylor
Director of Public Health
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit