Ophea’s Monthly Recognition Spotlight aims to illuminate the bright spots within the education sector through recognizing the critical work being done by community members and value-aligned organizations, and its impact on student and staff well-being. This initiative also aims to strengthen connections between the Ontario education sector with individuals and organizations serving equity-deserving groups through raising awareness of the resources and services available to Ontario educators. Read on to learn about this month’s featured Spotlight, Peel Public Health.
Tell us about your organization.
Peel Public Health partners with educators to create school environments where students have the opportunity to thrive. Together, we create healthy learning spaces that support well‑being, belonging, and student success.
Public health nurses address emerging and ongoing health needs in schools through meaningful engagement with the school community. They engage with administrators and staff to understand priorities and identify meaningful ways to elevate well-being and achievement of goals. Through these relationships, nurses collaborate with students, staff, and families to bring professional expertise and evidence informed resources in areas such as physical activity, healthy eating and hydration, substance misuse and vaping prevention, and mental well-being.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your organization?
We want people to know just how intentionally public health nurses work with schools – every step of the way. Supporting student health isn’t a one-time interaction; it is an ongoing, year-round commitment grounded in strong partnership agreements with Peel’s school boards. Public health nurses invest time in understanding each school’s priorities, routines, and capacity, ensuring their support integrates seamlessly into existing plans and practices.
By engaging with student groups and staff leads, public health nurses help transform ideas into action – supporting schoolwide well-being initiatives that are student-informed, realistic, and sustainable. Educators consistently tell us how much they value having a trusted partner who can help plan, problem-solve, and bring a broader health lens to everyday school life.
Public health nurses also serve as connectors, linking schools to right tools, resources, and evidence so school staff don’t have to navigate these supports on their own. Our goal is always to add meaningful value and help schools build on the strengths they already have.
What is a recent initiative that you are proud of?
The School Health Team at Peel Public Health is especially proud of our collaboration with Ophea to strengthen and re-energize Daily Physical Activity (DPA) in schools. This initiative focuses on building both educator confidence and student leadership to make DPA more engaging, inclusive, and sustainable.
As part of this work, we provided enhanced professional development for Public Health Nurses to support effective DPA planning with school staff. We also developed DPA Student Leader Booster Sessions, co-designed with Ophea and grounded in evidence-based, school-focused practices. These booster sessions elevate student voice and empower learners to take an active role to plan, promote, and lead DPA initiatives with creativity and confidence.
This approach goes beyond simply increasing activity and movement; it fosters leadership, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills. The boosters spark innovation and strengthen school culture by encouraging student-led promotion of physical activity.
Schools report increased student engagement and enthusiasm for DPA, particularly when older students take on leadership roles that inspire younger peers. Staff also note renewed confidence, energy, and connection through a more collaborative, student-centred approach. Together, these efforts are helping to create more meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable DPA experiences in schools.
If your school is exploring new ideas for DPA or well-being – or simply want to discuss what support could look like – your public health nurse is here to listen, collaborate and help bring your goals to life.
To learn more, visit the Peel Public Health School Health Programs website or contact them directly at: [email protected].
