Healthy School News
Filter: For Teachers & Principals, For Parents
Screen Time Increases Kids’ Risk of High Blood Pressure, Insulin Resistance
Screen Time Increases Kids’ Risk of High Blood Pressure, Insulin Resistance By Susan Burdic, PhD August 28, 2025 A reporter and researcher for the Defender based in Fairfield, Iowa The author of a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association said...
How to Protect Your Teen’s Mental Health
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 49.5% of American teens have had a mental health disorder of some sort. A Pew Research Center survey indicates that one in six teens has had to deal with online abuse. The web page How to Protect Your Teen's Mental...
The Soul Bird
The Soul Bird by Michal Snunit This book was really enjoyed when I read it to staff and students in a variety of situations. The reading can be accompanied by a slide show using the illustrations from the book. The relationship between ourselves and our soul is...
Wellness Priorities Survey – a school wellness study
The Wellness Priorities Survey at Reynolds Secondary School, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, was the beginning of the journey towards creating my Resources… The survey was developed in 2000 by the school's Student Services team. For the purpose of the project,...
Resources from ReachOut Schools
ReachOut’s whole-school approach to student wellbeing provides resources that include engaging activities for students. The site offers credible, flexible resources for teachers and practical support for parents and carers. Educational resources are free with digital...
Book review of Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity
I enjoyed this Globe & Mail article review of Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Dr. Peter Attia: Outlive asks readers to confront the ticking time bombs in their own bodies. Absorb medical jargon, fellow travellers. This book asks its readers to...
Why Alcohol is So Dangerous for Young Adults’ Brains
I recommend this article on the BBC website by David Robson, an award-winning science writer: Why Alcohol is So Dangerous for Young Adults' Brains. From the myth of Europeans’ “healthy drinking culture" to the surprising harm of some common family traditions, science...
Useful Quotes
Quotes can be important and powerful. The ideas and thoughts can help in a variety of ways, e.g. used as motivation during a struggle or applied to one’s life. Quotes can give wisdom and guidance when needed. “One foot in front of the other gets you where you’re...
Parents and Teachers: Roll Back on the Eye Rolls
In their quest to transform our relationships with technology, Center for Digital Thriving, a new research centre based at Project Zero, recently shared suggestions for parents and teachers on how to change the way they talk to their children and students about...
Mindfulness in the Classroom
Mindfulness practices help children self-regulate and thrive. Mission Be offers mindfulness-based educational programs to train students to better manage stress and regulate emotions. Mindfulness can be described as the practice of paying attention in the present...
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters for Educators
The Harvard EdCast episode "Why Emotional Intelligence Matters for Educators" discusses how understanding and managing emotions can positively impact an entire school community. The episode gives information about how to improve emotional intelligence and school...
An Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation
There is very useful information on the US Office of the Surgeon General's website. A Surgeon General’s Advisory is a public statement that calls the American people’s attention to an urgent public health issue and provides recommendations for how it should be...
Self-care can’t be bought
I recommend this article by Anne T. Donahue: Self-Care Can't be Bought. Today, we are seeing self-care as a catch-all for capitalist-centric me time, spurred on by brands that I’m sure have their hearts in the right place, but don’t seem to understand that not only...
Teens and Smart Phones
I recommend reading this article My teenaged son still doesn’t have a smartphone. Here’s why. by Katherine Martinko in the Globe and Mail. Martinko is a Canadian writer and author of Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance. When...
Quitting Smartphones
I recommend reading the article Fearing I was addicted, I quit my smartphone for two weeks to see if I’d have a better life by Samantha Edwards in the Globe and Mail. Some highlights that have valuable info: Early in the summer, the author started worrying about her...
Psychological Theories of Suicide
The medical team at Pacific Medical Training recently published an article titled Understanding suicide: psychological perspectives. The article provides an in-depth look at the psychological frameworks used to understand suicidal behaviour, including cognitive,...
State of Developmental Relationships Report
The Search Institute have released their 2025 report on the state of developmental relationships. The Developmental Relationships Survey is central to the Teacher and Parent Transition Guides. The key factor that genuinely influences young people must be recognized....
Want kids to be safe? Then ditch their smartphones.
I recommend this article by Katherine Martinko in the Globe and Mail: Want kids to be safe? Then ditch their smartphones Katherine Martinko is a Canadian writer and author of Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice To Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance Some...
Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Public Health
On behalf of Studentforresearch, homeschool teacher Ashley Burton sent their student Sohana’s suggestion for a "great addition to schools4health.” This occurred after Ashley used the Schools4Health site as a resource for students in her Emergency Preparedness class....
Social Media Addiction
Reference: Social Media Addiction - A Growing Problem Among Children & Teens Social media companies have designed their social networking platforms to be addictive. Thus, it is very common for today’s young people to develop bad habits. Unfortunately, social...
Using Families for Life Resources
30 Ways to Spend More Family Time is an excellent resource for finding family time. Hanging out with family is incredibly valuable. It’s a chance to chat about our feelings, share stories, and cook up delicious meals together, all while boosting confidence and social...
Emotion has a big impact on learning
Geoff Johnson, former superintendent of schools, has written an excellent article: Emotion has a big impact on learning. Several studies have found that positive emotions facilitate learning and contribute to academic achievement. Some highlights from the article:...
The Art and Science of Aging Well
The article The Art and Science of Aging Well has science-based information that is valuable for everyone. The author, Dr. Thomas Verny, is a clinical psychiatrist, academic, award-winning author, public speaker, poet and podcaster. He has written 8 books, including a...
Cellphone bans in schools seems to be working, so far!
Recommended read by Caroline Alphonso, education reporter, Globe and Mail: Cellphone bans in schools seem to be working, but some wonder how long that will last. Policies have been established to remove a common classroom distraction: the cell phone. What does the...
Cyberbullying and Suicide Among Youth
Over 90% of teens in the US believe cyber harassment is a problem. The excellent resource Cyberbullying and Suicide among Youth – Guide is written by Andrew McKenna, Deputy Director of NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc.) Headings from the...
Social Media Is Changing How We Live Our Lives
The Lanier Law Firm recently published a page dedicated to social media addiction: Social Media Addiction Statistics. The firm is actively working with families on how to make sure the apps become safer places. As this is such an important issue, insight into the...
Can happiness be taught?
Academics who hope to answer that have found reasons to smile. I recommend this Globe and Mail article by Erin Anderson: Can Happiness be Taught? Academics who hope to answer that have found reasons to smile. Some highlights from the introduction: There are no exams...
Embracing Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom
I recommend reading this article from Harvard Graduate School of Education: Embracing Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom by Elizabeth M. Ross. Although there is a huge amount of interest in generative artificial intelligence(AI) in the consumer world,...
Developmental Relationships: The Roots of Positive Youth Development
Search Institute has identified building blocks of healthy development - known as Developmental Assets. These assets help young people grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible. The Developmental Relationships are integral to my Teens and Transition Guides for...
Wellness quotes
Uplifting quotes can inspire and motivate individuals. My son once sent me a birthday card expressing what he thinks about the quotes/clippings I have relayed to him over time: Outside the card: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM, and thanks for all the advice you’ve given me over...