Whether it's learning to cook so they could make their own meals, keeping their homes clean, or spreading kindness and dealing with negative thoughts, Eastdale Public School students now have lifelong skills thanks to programs enhancing student wellbeing.
For its efforts, the Woodstock elementary school received 2025 Healthy Schools Gold Certification from the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA).
The school was recognized for its Let's Get Cooking, Wellness Club and Healthy Relationships Plus programs. The school identified mental health, physical activity and healthy eating as priorities for school-wide initiatives to support students.
"My favourite thing about the Healthy Schools program is it helps to narrow our focus but also broaden our opportunities," said Eastdale Principal Steve Burroughs. "We're a small school, but we're small and mighty, so pursuing a Healthy Schools certification and being able to earn a gold certification in our first year certainly sets the benchmark high for us."
Eastdale was one of seven Thames Valley District School Board schools to receive Healthy Schools program certification. The school received a special banner at an assembly on October 8 as part of Healthy Schools Week (October 6-10).
As part of Healthy School Certification, each school partnered with Southwestern Public Health to plan and implement initiatives guided by public health principles, from student-led wellness clubs and food literacy to mental health and anti-bullying programs.
"Research is clear that these initiatives provide youth with positive experiences and lifelong benefits," said Helen Lukianchuk, Public Health Nurse for SWPH, who also works closely with Eastdale to administer Healthy Schools.
And what do students themselves think? They love it!
"My favourite thing about Healthy Schools is learning about nutrition," said grade 7 student, Kaley. "It's changed the way I eat." Kaley also explained she learned how to take care of her mental health and deal with negative thoughts as part of the Wellness Club.
Bailey, also in grade 7, felt she learned a lot from the Let's Get Cooking program. "Now I can cook and not worry about getting sick, because I know how to prepare food properly," she said. "I really hope we can do it again next year because it was really fun. I loved it a lot."
