Glossary

Administration 

The principal and/or vice-principal(s) of a school. 

Community Partner 

Any member of the school community who can contribute to the development of a healthy school (e.g., public health, local health authorities, recreation and sports groups, municipalities, local businesses). These partners may vary depending on the specific school community.  

Elder/Knowledge Keeper 

Elders are individuals honoured by their communities for their spiritual and cultural wisdom rather than their age, while Knowledge Keepers are those who have been taught by Elders and entrusted with traditional knowledge, including understanding when it is appropriate to share such teachings (Queens University, n.d.). 

Information Source 

Sources of information used by school communities to identify their priorities (included in Step 2 of the 4-Step Healthy Schools Process). 

Healthy Schools Areas 

The four interconnected areas from the Comprehensive School Health Framework that school communities should consider in their plan to comprehensively address their priority areas. The 4 areas include:  

  • Teaching & Learning 
  • Social & Physical Environment 
  • Policy 
  • Partnerships & Services 

Healthy Schools Lead 

The Healthy Schools Lead is the school staff member who will lead their school through the Healthy Schools Recognition Program. The Healthy Schools Lead is the key contact at the school who ensures that the Healthy Schools Recognition Program registration and journal questions are completed online. The Healthy Schools Lead should be a school staff member, but may be another adult, such as a public health partner. 

Healthy Schools Process 

A collaborative process whereby members of the school community come together to share ideas, plan, and take action on health-related priority area(s) while following a repeatable process to make sustainable change in their school, homes, and community. This process guides school communities in taking a planned approach to addressing their priority areas. The Healthy Schools Process includes 4 steps: 

  • Step 1: Assemble Your Team 

  • Step 2: Identify Your School Community Priority Area(s), Assets, and Goals 

  • Step 3: Develop Your Plan and Take Action 

  • Step 4: Celebrate and Reflect 

Healthy Schools Support Tools 

These are a series of downloadable tools that were created to support schools in completing the 4-Step Healthy Schools Process successfully. They are all available online through each registered school’s online Dashboard and are customizable to each school’s needs. Schools are encouraged to complete them and use them if they support their work. However, none of the support tools are mandatory. 

Healthy Schools Team

A group or committee operating in a school that supports planning and action as it relates to Healthy Schools. Members of the team should include individuals who are within (e.g., students, educators, support staff) and outside (e.g., public health or health authorities, parent(s)/caregiver(s)) the physical school grounds. 

Parent(s)/Caregiver(s) 

Parent(s) and caregiver(s) include all caring and care-giving members in the lives of students. This could include but is not limited to parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, siblings, and guardians. 

Priority Area(s) 

The priority area(s) identified by a school community to be addressed through their Healthy Schools activities for the duration of their journey. Access Step 2: Identify Your School Community Priority Area(s), Assets and Goals for sample priority areas. 

Public Health/Health Authority 

Many schools are supported by a system of local public health or health authorities that collectively cover your entire region and are individually responsible for serving the population within their geographic borders. Public health and health authorities can play a key role in supporting school communities as it relates to Healthy Schools. 

School Board/District/Authority 

A school board, district, or authority is responsible for the oversight of a number of schools within a geographical region and meets the needs of their school communities. The terminology used is dependent on the Canadian region.