News Release
5/31/2017
Aurora, ON – During May, York Region District School Board (YRDSB) hosted five, half-day Mental Health and Well-Being School Leadership Team Learning sessions.
Each session was intended to build knowledge and capacity of comprehensive planning for mental health and well-being. The sessions focused on healthy schools, equity and inclusive education, safe and caring schools and positive mental health.
York Region public schools across the region were invited to send one administrator and two staff members to one of the five sessions. These staff members will become members of Well-Being School Teams, responsible for implementing and integrating Ontario’s Well-Being Strategy, including its four components: positive mental health, equity and inclusive education, safe and accepting schools and healthy schools. In addition, superintendents and trustees also attended and participated in the sessions.
Members of the Well-Being School Team will include a minimum of:
- one administrator;
- one student;
- one parent;
- one teacher;
- one non-teaching staff member; and
- one community partner.
“YRDSB is committed to providing safe, welcoming and inclusive learning and working environments for all students and staff,” said Susan Logue, Superintendent of Education, Well-Being and Engagement. “We are providing these mental health and well-being learning sessions as just one part of this commitment.”
In addition to the training being provided, there is also system-level support in the form of a Well-Being Advisory Committee and Mental Health Lead Team. In support of school-level work, there is a Well-Being Regional Team, which includes departments across the Board including Curriculum and Instructional Services, Caring and Safe Schools, Healthy Schools, EcoSchools, Inclusive Schools and Community Services, Leadership Development and Student Services. All of the support of student well-being as a foundation helps support student achievement.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 123,000 students in 176 elementary schools and 32 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow @YRDSB on Twitter.
For more information contact: