February 2019 – Elementary School E-Bits
For Administrators and Educators
#healthequityLGL Where you live and how easily you can get to work, school or recreational activities impacts your health. The Health Unit’s vision is “everyone has opportunities to be healthy”…where can your health journey take you?
- What do you need to live?
- What do you dream of doing in life?
- How do you adjust to changes in your life?
Learn more about what’s in your area to protect and promote your health by visiting www.healthunit.org or call 1 800 660-5853. #healthequityLGL
On the record! In preparation of the 2019-2020 school year, the Health Unit will be requesting parents, registering their children for kindergarten, to submit their child’s immunization record and information to us directly. Soon you will be receiving posters that can go out to all families who are registering their child for kindergarten. This poster will provide families with information on how the can submit to us their child’s immunization information. Please contact us if you have questions, 1-800-660-5853.
For Families
New Vision Screening! Spring 2019, a pilot vision screening program for SK students will be offered by trained Health Unit staff at selected schools. If your school is selected you will be contacted in February by letter. There will be 3 non-invasive tests which take roughly 10–15 minutes per child. While, vision screening is part of good visual health it does not replace an annual comprehensive eye exam by an eye doctor. A valid Health Card will cover the cost of an eye exam once a year for children aged 0–19. To learn more visit: https://healthunit.org/health-information/babies-children/visual-health/ or for more information call the Health Unit at 1-800-660-5853.
Parenting matters! Celebrate your family this month by spending some extra time together. Enjoy some winter activities outside – build a snowman, or maybe go sledding or skating. If the weather isn’t cooperating, why not play a board game, or make a craft? It doesn’t matter what you choose to do, as long as you are doing something you enjoy together. Strong relationships make family life more fun! For more ideas, visit www.triplep-parenting.ca. To register for a local Triple P Parenting session, visit https://healthunit.org/clinics-classes/triple-p-parenting/ or call locally 1-800-660-5853.
Immunization Notices. Being fully immunized protects students from many diseases easily spread in schools! Students who are missing information or didn’t get their immunizations according to the schedule will receive an Immunization Notice. If your child’s immunizations are not up to date and you do not send us the required information they may be suspended from school, as early as, February. For more information on how to update your child’s record please visit our website at https://healthunit.org/health-information/immunization/school-requirements/ or call us at 1-800-660-5853 and ask to speak to someone on the immunization team!