Educators and Curriculum Resources
Educators play an important role in the health of school communities
A team of health professionals including the school public health nurse, immunization nurses, oral health staff and health protection staff are dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children and youth in all schools in Durham Region. The team strives to achieve optimal health of the entire school community through partnership and collaboration with school boards and schools.
Find your school’s public health nurse
Get support and resources
Your school health team can provide you with support and resources to assist you in teaching the health curriculum and promoting health and well-being in your school. If you would like additional information regarding health topics in your school or would like to borrow interactive, skill-building tools for your classroom, contact us!
Ready to use inserts for your school newsletter or website!
The healthy schools newsletter inserts for parents provide up-to-date information on health-related topics for parents and guardians. Add the inserts below into your school newsletters or on your school website.
Newsletter inserts for schools
Dental (Oral health)
Environmental health
Healthy eating
Infectious disease
| Current topic |
|---|
Immunization
| Current topics |
|---|
| Aged 14 to 16? (Secondary schools) |
| Fight the flu and COVID-19 too |
| Online immunization reporting and viewing |
Mental health and resiliency
Physical activity
| Current topics |
|---|
| Active kids are fit to learn |
| Active parents, active kids |
| Connect with your teen through physical activity (Secondary schools) |
| Help your kids be active for life |
| Tips to reduce screen time |
| Walk or wheel everyday! |
| Walk or wheel everyday! (Secondary schools) |
Personal safety and injury prevention
| Current topics |
|---|
| Car and booster seat safety |
| Prepare your teen for the road (Secondary schools) |
Positive parenting
| Current topics |
|---|
| Healthy sleep routines for your family |
| It begins with family |
| Positive parenting |
Substance use
| Current topics |
|---|
| Cannabis: Talk early, talk often (Grades 9 to 12) |
Sun safety
| Current topic |
|---|
| General sun safety awareness |
Tobacco and vape-free living
Visual health
| Current topic |
|---|
| Visual health for school aged children English | French |
Substance use protective factors and skill building
Evidence tells us that the best prevention measures often have nothing to do with substance use at all. Protective factor skill building is one prevention measure that can minimize youth’s risk of substance-related harms. Teachers and trusted adults can help students learn about and practice protective factors that support substance use prevention.
As educators know, school-based efforts to prevent substance-related harms must reflect school communities' unique needs, resources, culture and values. Contact your Durham Region Health Department school assigned public health nurse who can help with the implementation of substance use prevention strategies.
Making decisions and refusal skills
- Grade 6: OPHEA influencing choices (Lesson plan)
- Grade 7 to 12 Kahoot: Substance use protective factors (Requires Kahoot account)
- Grade 7 to 12: PHE Canada refusal skills (activity)
- Grade 7 to 12: Refusal skills (Video – accompanies activity above)
- Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking
- Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking
- Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking
Coping with criticism and dealing with feeling of exclusion
- Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance
- Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity
- Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance
- Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity
- Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance
- Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity
Identifying and managing stress
Communications, conflict resolution and healthy relationships
Activity | Curriculum connection |
Making decisions and refusal skills | |
Grade 6: OPHEA influencing choices (Lesson plan) |
|
Grade 7 to 12: PHE Canada refusal skills activity | Elementary:
Secondary:
|
Grade 7 to 12: Refusal skills (Video - accompanies activity above) | Elementary:
Secondary:
|
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking | A1.6 Critical and Creative Thinking |
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking |
|
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Critical and creative thinking | A1.6 Critical and Creative Thinking Catholic graduate expectations are listed within individual activities. |
Coping with criticism and dealing with feelings of exclusion | |
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance | A1.3 Positive Motivation and Perseverance |
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity | A1.5 Self-Awareness and Sense of Identity |
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance |
|
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity |
|
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Positive motivation and perseverance | A1.3 Positive Motivation and Perseverance Catholic Graduate Expectations are listed within individual activities. |
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Self-awareness and sense of identity | A1.5 Self-Awareness and Sense of Identity Catholic graduate expectations are listed within individual activities. |
Identifying and managing stress | |
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Stress management and coping | A1.2 Stress Management and Coping |
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Stress management and coping | Grade 9: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 10: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 12: C2.3 [PS, IS, CT] |
Elementary faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Stress management and coping | A1.2 Stress Management and Coping Catholic Graduate Expectations are listed within individual activities. |
A1.2 Stress Management and Coping | |
Communication, conflict resolution and healthy relationships | |
A1.4 Healthy Relationships | |
Elementary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Healthy relationship skills | A1.4 Healthy Relationships |
Secondary: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Healthy relationship skills | Grade 9: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 10: C1.3 [PS, CT] Grade 12: C2.3 [PS, IS, CT] |
Faith and wellness: SMHO everyday classroom resources: Healthy relationship skills | A1.4 Healthy Relationships |
Alcohol
Grade 5
- Discovering You! Student workbook (English | French) (Curriculum connection: A1.6, D2.3, D3.3)
- Discovering You! Teacher companion guide (English | French)
- OPHEA Factors of Intoxication (Lesson plan)** (Curriculum connection: A1.6, D1.2, D2.3, D3.3)
- OPHEA Factors That Affect My Decisions (Lesson plan)** (Curriculum connection: A1.5, A1.6, D3.3)
- OPHEA Factors that Affect My Healthy Choices (Activity)** (Curriculum connection: A1.2, A1.6, D3.3)
- OPHEA Who Can Help (Lesson plan)** (Curriculum connection: A1.4, A1.6, D2.3, D3.3)
- OPHEA Awareness Campaign (Lesson plan)** (Curriculum connection: A1.1, A1.4, A1.5, A1.6, D2.3, D 3.2, D3.3)
- Interactive activity available from your school public health nurse*
**Requires an OPHEA log-in
Grade 6 to 8
- Substance Misuse Series 2: Alcohol Level 1 (Grades 6 to 8) - Details - Kahoot! (Requires Kahoot account)
- Substance Misuse Series 2: Alcohol Level 2 (Grades 6 to 8) - Details - Kahoot! (Requires Kahoot account)
- Interactive activities (Plinko, Spin Wheel)*
- CCSA Understanding Substance Use: Educator’s Guide
Grade 9 to 12
- CCSA Understanding Substance Use: Educator’s Guide
- Interactive activities (Alcohol Marketing Tricks, Plinko, Spin Wheel)*
- Substance Misuse Series 2: Alcohol Level 3 (Grades 9 to 12) - Details - Kahoot! (Requires Kahoot account)
- The Real Buzz: Teens and Alcohol Infographics English | French
- Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health - Drinking less is better (English | French)
*Resources available through your public health nurse.
- Canadian Centre for Addiction and Substance Use
- Durham Community Health Centre
- Connex Ontario
- My Toolkit Substance Use Education Module
- Ontario Physical & Health Education Association (OPHEA): Teaching tools - Alcohol Education Resources
- Pinewood Addiction Services
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Primary Education Resources for Teachers
- What is substance use? - Kids Help Phone
Cannabis
- Understanding Substance Use: Educator's guide (Grades 5 to 12)
- Cannabis and schools | ontario.ca
- My Toolkit Substance Use Education Module A to Z Substance Use
- Educator cannabis presentation provided by your school’s public health nurse*
*Resources available through your school’s public health nurse.
Curriculum support - Grades 5 to 8
- OPHEA Cannabis Activity Plans Elementary Activity Plans | Ophea.net
- Substance Use Protective Factors and Skill Building
- Kahoot! Cannabis Game Grades 5 to 8
- Cannabis Kahoot! Backgrounder Information Grades 5 to 8
- Cannabis Fact Stack, Plinko, Spin Wheel and Drop Zone: Q&A activities for students in Grades 5 to 12*
*Resources available through your school’s public health nurse.
Curriculum support - Grades 9 to 12
- OPHEA Cannabis Activity Plans Secondary Activity Plans | Ophea.net
- Substance Use Protective Factors and Skill Building
- Kahoot! Cannabis Game Grades 9-12
- Cannabis Kahoot! Backgrounder Information Grades 9 to 12
- Cannabis Fact Stack, Plinko, Spin Wheel and Drop Zone: Q&A activities for students in Grades 5 to 12*
*Resources available through your school’s public health nurse.
- Cannabis Weed Out The Myths (Grades 5 to 12) English | French
- Cannabis: Important things to know - Kids Help Phone
- The Blunt Truth: Useful tips about safer ways to use cannabis: A harm reduction resource
- School Newsletter Insert Cannabis: Talk Early, Talk Often Grades 5 to 8 | Grades 9 to 12
- Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know
- Cannabis Talk Kit
- Parent/caregiver cannabis presentation provided by your school’s public health nurse*
*Resources available through your school’s public health nurse.
Concussions and injury prevention
Durham health statistics
Healthy routines
Healthy eating and food safety
Curriculum support
- Being Me, Being Us (BC)
- Bringing healthy eating to the classroom
- Brightbites
- Canada's food guide toolkit for educators (English | French)
- Food is Science (English | French)
- ODPH School Nutrition Resources, Elementary and Secondary
- Ophea teaching tools (English | French)
- Physical and Health Education Canada
Helpful links
- Canada's Food Guide: Cultures, food traditions and healthy eating (English | French)
- Dietitians of Canada (English | French)
- Durham Child Nutrition Project
- Food and beverage policies and standards at Ontario schools (English | French)
- Fresh from the Farm Fundraising (English | French)
- Health Canada Food and Nutrition (English | French)
- Healthy fundraising ideas
- Ontario Student Nutrition Program (English | French)
- Trans Fat Standards Regulation (English | French)
- UnlockFood.ca (English | French)
Physical activity and sedentary time
Curriculum support
- Active Travel Guideline
- Active for Life: Elementary teachers toolkit (English | French)
- Ideas Lab (English | French)
- Let's Walk and Wheel to School! (English | French)
- Move Play Learn
- Ontario Active School Travel Website (English | French)
- Ophea sports and activities: Elementary (English | French) / Secondary (English | French)
- Ophea teaching tools (English | French)
- Physical Activity in the Curriculum
- Physical and Health Education Canada (English | French)
Playground activity leaders in schools (PALS)
- Facilitator handbook and student leader training guide English | French
- Student leader handbook English | French
- Games book English | French
Helpful links
- Ajax Active School Travel Toolkit
- Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Children and Youth (5 to 17 years): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep (English | French)
- Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines (English | French)
- Ophea Activities (English | French)
- Ophea Daily Physical Activity resources (English | French)
- Ophea PlaySport (English | French)
- Outdoor Learning Everyday! (English | French)
- Physical and Health Education Canada website (English | French)
- Physical Literacy Activities Ideas (English | French)
- Rallying for Resilience, The 2024 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
(English | French)
Helpful links
Sunsense Program
Register your school for SunSense Program (English | French) to gain access to a variety of free downloadable resources related to sun safety education, policy development and shade. Registration begins February 1, 2025.
Other
- Be Sun Safe (Canadian Cancer Society) (English | French)
- Climate Change and Health
- SunSmart
There are several interactive activities available from Durham Region Health Department. Please contact your school’s public health nurse if you would like further information on any of the activities below.
Primary grades
- Animal Alphabet
- Apple Tree Activity*
- Kindergarten Readiness Practice Backpacks and Lunchbox*
- Physical Activity Dice and Hopscotch Mat
Grades 7 to 12
Crack the Code
Other interactive activities
- Amazing Wellness Race* (For grade 4 onwards)
- Fruit and Veggie Feud (All ages)
- Kahoot! (All ages)
- Plinko Game* (All ages)
- Sleep Activity Board* (All ages)
- Spinwheel* (All ages)
- Sugar Sweetened Beverages* (All ages)
*These activities are available in English and French
Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) offers several resources to promote healthy routines for students! The resources below are available for download and use in print-friendly format.
- Pack Some WOW in Your Lunch (English | French)
- Lunchbox Colouring Sheets (English | French)
- Creating Healthy Routines Tip Sheet (English | French)
- Creating Healthy Routines Booklet (English | French)
- Healthy Habits Cootie Catcher (Version 1 | Version 2)
- Sun Safety Colouring Sheets
- Save the Skin You’re In - Bookmark (English | French)
- Move and Play Every Day!
Healthy sexuality
Infectious diseases prevention and control
- Be a handwashing hero video - Government of Canada
- Coughing and sneezing hygiene for kids video - Government of Canada
- Prevent the spread of germs word scramble (English | French)
- Prevent the spread of germs word search (English | French)
- School announcements: Handwashing (English | French)
- Wash away germs colouring sheet (English | French)
- Wash your hands poster (English | French)
Monthly chickenpox reporting form
- Cover your cough poster (English | French)
- Facts about... Handwashing
- Guidelines for infectious diseases reporting and exclusion
As per Ministry guidance, no respiratory outbreaks will be declared at this time. You are not required to report increases in absenteeism due to respiratory symptoms in your classes and schools. Please continue to report potential enteric outbreaks in your classes and schools as necessary.
- Handwashing steps poster (English | French)
- Proper handwashing video
- Stop the spread poster
Mental health promotion
Educators are encouraged to use School Mental Health Ontario to support a comprehensive approach to school mental health. Resources are available in both English and French.
Grade JK to 3
- Mental Health Classroom Practices
- School Mental Health lesson plans for Grade K to 3
- Grab & Go Tools
- Stress Management & Coping lessons for Kindergarten & Primary
- How Are You Feeling activity sheet English | French
- KidsCan
- Mindmasters2 - A mental health promotion resource that helps children to master emotional regulation through relaxation, positive thinking and mindfulness. Adapted with permission of Ottawa Public Health. For educational and non-commercial purposes only.
Access audio files (songs, videos) to support Mindmasters 2
Grade 4 to 8
- Mental Health Classroom Practices
- School Mental Health lesson plans for Grade 4 to 8
- Grab & Go Tools
- Stress Management & Coping lessons for Junior & Intermediate
- Interactive activities (Kahoot, Mini-Putt, Pinball, Plinko, Spinwheel, Time Capsule)*
Grade 9 to 12
- Mental Health Classroom Practices
- School Mental Health lesson plans for Grade 9 to 12
- Stress Management & Coping lessons for Secondary
- TeensCan
- Interactive activities (Kahoot, Mini-Putt, Pinball, Plinko, Spinwheel, Time Capsule)*
Resources for educators to support parents/caregivers
- By Your Side Toolkit English | French
- Teens Can be Resilient in High School – A Parents Guide
* Resources available through your public health nurse. Download Kahoot instructions.
Please refer to your school board for additional supports.
- Be Safe
- Bounce Back Ontario
- Free stress strategies for educators and parents
- MediaSmarts
- Promoting relationships & eliminating violence network
- Positive mental health toolkit
- School Mental Health Ontario
- Stress strategies for educators & parents
For crisis intervention
Opioids
Oral health
Road and off-road safety
Tobacco and vaping
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health School Mental Health Ontario (CAMH SMHO) Vaping: what elementary school educators need to know
Grades 4 to 6
- OPHEA Vaping Education Resources
- CAMH SMHO Vaping: what elementary school educators need to know
- Not An Experiment
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) Understanding Substance Use Educator’s Guide
Grades 7 to 12
- OPHEA Vaping Education Resources (Grades 7 to 8)
- Not An Experiment
- CCSA Understanding Substance Use Educator’s Guide
- Lung Health Foundation What the Vape?!?! Module
Please note: In Canada, it’s illegal for vaping products to be sold or given to anyone under the age of 18. However in Ontario, it is age 19. - Health Canada Consider the Consequences Online Modules
- Be in the Know Tobacco, Vaping and Cannabis poster, pamphlet and postcard
- Quash Facilitator course for adults interested in delivering the Quash youth smoking and vaping cessation program.
- Lung Health Foundation Talking about Vaping/E-cigarettes
- Lung Health Foundation Talking about Tobacco
- CAMH SMHO Vaping: what you and your friends need to know
- CAMH SMHO Vaping: what secondary school educators need to know
Interactive Vaping/Tobacco Activities
The following interactive activities are available from Durham Region Health Department. Please contact your school’s public health nurse if you would like more information on these resources.
- Vaping/Tobacco online Trivia Kahoot*– (Grades 7 to 12) *requires Kahoot account
- Vaping/Tobacco Interactive Trivia Kits (Grades 7 to 12)
- Plinko
- Spin Wheel
- Drop Zone
- Fact Stack - *NEW*
- Not an Experiment Escape Room Activity
- Tobacco Enforcement Officer (TEO) and Public Health Nurse (PHN) presentation
Not An Experiment Resource
Not An Experiment is a website that increases awareness of the health risks associated with vaping and provides resources and information to educators, students, and parents. The following are some of the resources on the website:- Posters (Grades 4 to 12)
- Announcements (Grades 4 to 12)
- Ontario law post cards (Grades 4 to 12)
- Escape Room activity
- Classroom Escape Room Activity*
- Online Computer Game
- Educator presentation
- Parent/Caregiver resource (Grades 4 to 12)
- Grade 7 and 8 lesson plan
- Take the Clouds Outside display*
- Teacher Resource Package- Elementary*
- High School Teacher Resource Package*
- Quit Plan resources
*Consult with your school public health nurse about Not an Experiment, Escape the Experiment game adaptations and for further information.
Cessation supports
The following are free apps to help youth quit vaping/smoking:
- Quash App (Available through Google Play or App Store)
For information on how to navigate difficult conversations with youth on nicotine use visit our Tobacco and Vaping page. - Stop Vaping Challenge App (Available through Google Play or App Store)