Last updated: October 16, 2024
Watch this page for upcoming events and professional learning related to school wellness. We feature sessions from Alberta Health Services and partner organizations, and focus on those that are available province-wide.
The health promotion facilitator assigned to your school authority may be able to identify other events and professional learning in your local area.
- Browse our calendar of events and professional learning
- Book a professional learning session
- Explore self-directed learning
Calendar of events and professional learning
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Oct. 15, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Foundations of sexual health education Organizer: Alberta Health Services Come to this session to learn about what comprehensive sexual health includes and the benefits for all young people. Discuss how to communicate effectively with parents about sexual health lessons. We will introduce the free lesson plans and resources available for teaching sexual health in your classroom. |
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Oct. 17, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
6 super strategies for superb sex ed: Best practices for teaching sexual health Organizer: Alberta Health Services Want to take your sex ed to a superb level? Times have changed, and there are subtle ways to make your sexual health classes more inclusive and impactful. Get the facts on how to answer questions from students with confidence, and ensure that all students see themselves in your lesson. We’ll review 6 great tips that will improve your sexual health classes! |
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Oct. 21, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Sexual health stats and trends: Using the data to inform your teaching Organizer: Alberta Health Services In this session we use Canadian data relevant to sexual health to explore how statistics can inform your teaching. Stats matter because they provide a snapshot of students’ experiences, but they only tell part of the story. We also ask what’s missing from the data and how can we use this whole picture to reduce shame and stigma, and create safe and inclusive classrooms for all students. |
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Oct. 22, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Shameless: How to talk about sexting, pornography, consent and more in today’s sex ed classroom Organizer: Alberta Health Services In today's digital age, students have unprecedented access to information at their fingertips, anytime and anywhere, so it’s crucial to be prepared to talk about sexting, pornography, and consent. We’ll showcase practical teaching strategies, valuable conversation tips, and curated resources to support today’s sex ed classroom. By the end of this session, you will feel more confident and prepared to meet students where they are and foster meaningful and inclusive discussions about sexual health. |
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Oct. 23, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Inclusive sexual health education: Making sex ed work for all your students Organizer: Alberta Health Services Traditional sex ed has focussed on heterosexual and cisgender people and relationships, but that leaves out a large group of students. Whether you have some out 2SLGBTQI+ students, or none, your sex ed classes can be inclusive, welcoming, safe, caring and respectful places for students of every gender identity and sexual orientation. |
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Nov. 27, 2024 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Navigating Cell Phone Guidelines and Digital Wellbeing in Schools Organizer: Alberta Health Services Description: Join the Lethbridge School Division's Digital Wellness Team for a chat about how technology affects students, teachers, and parents at school. We will talk about how digital devices can help or make learning harder. Plus, we’ll share tips for helping students find a healthy balance with technology. |
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Various dates and times
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Free public workshops to support mental health Organizer: Alberta Health Services Join AHS’ Mental Health Promotion & Illness Prevention team for free public workshops to support mental health and wellness. We offer a variety of sessions to help you cope with stress, prepare for emergencies, and support disaster recovery. |
Book a professional learning session
Alberta Health Services offers both in-person and virtual professional learning sessions on a variety of school health topics. We use evidence-informed learning approaches that foster engagement and continued application. All sessions are free of charge and hosted by local health promotion facilitators.
We can adapt our session length and style to suit the learning needs of your audience, including school authority leaders, school administrators, teachers, counsellors, and other school staff. Please note that we prioritize sessions booked at a school authority level.
For more information, check out the descriptions below. To book a session, contact your local health promotion facilitator or email schoolhealthandwellness@ahs.ca.
Active bodies, thriving brains: How movement fuels mental health
Movement is essential for healthy physical and mental development in children and youth. Join us to learn about physical activity as a tool to for emotional regulation, stress management, self-esteem, and problem-solving. We'll try out fun movement-based activities for your classroom and school, and inspire you with Alberta-based stories and examples.
Embrace nature: Weaving the outdoors into school experiences
Nature is our original teacher and is all around us in Alberta! Exposure to nature increases play and physical activity, and builds social emotional skills in students of all ages. It provides meaningful opportunities to connect with others and with the land. In this session, we'll explore practical ways to weave nature and the outdoors into instructional time, daily activities, and play and leisure at school. Get inspired with resources, stories, and tips to make it happen.
Engage, connect, and support mental health
This session focuses on promoting positive mental health. We'll collaborate on nurturing mental wellness through healthy relationships, family involvement, and student engagement. Discover practical methods to connect with and support students and staff in their mental wellness journey. Join us to explore proven strategies for enhancing mental health in schools—actions you can take within your school community.
Equity, diversity, and schools: Reflections for school professionals
In every classroom and school, there are students who come from households that experience stress, income instability, household food insecurity, differing mental and physical abilities, and other related challenges. In this session, we'll use an equity lens to explore how schools can improve their support for these students and their families by incorporating inclusive activities and curriculum. Using scenarios, we'll consider strengths-based approaches to reduce adverse impacts on well-being and learning outcomes.
Introducing schools.healthiertogether.ca
Take an engaging virtual tour of the new AHS website, Healthier Together Schools. This is comprehensive school health like you've never seen it before! We'll introduce you to the site's menus, messages, and resources. You'll click and scroll through practical tools to help you take action on health in your classroom and across the whole school community.
Nurture relationships and transform your school community
Coming in winter 2024
Learn the evidence behind why relationships are foundational to wellness, student learning, and cultivating a positive classroom environment. Through facilitated discussion and sharing, we'll explore strategies that help nurture relationships, support regulation, and build resiliency for you and your students.
Promote staff wellness
It isn’t easy to be a school professional these days. Now more than ever, your wellness at work matters! In this session, we'll have honest and insightful conversations about staff health and well-being. Find out how your wellness affects students and the overall climate at your school, then get practical tips to create a healthier workplace. We’ll discuss promising practices and help you reflect on the little things that can make a big difference for you and the people you work with.
Looking for a deeper dive on this topic? Check out The ripple effect: Exploring the link between staff and student well-being (3-part series)
The ripple effect: Exploring the link between staff and student wellness (3-part series)
In this series, we'll explore the relationship between staff and student wellness and its impact on overall school climate. We’ll talk about team care, self-care, and work-life balance, and engage in conversations around evidence-based ideas that work. This series will help you reflect on the little things that can make a big difference in creating a healthier school for both staff and students.
Part 1: Build relationships and practice team care
Part 2: Practice self-care at work
Part 3: Foster work-life balance for school staff
Explore self-directed learning
New this year, Alberta Health Services is pleased to offer recorded virtual professional learning sessions. These webinars are a great way to explore new topics and interests at your own pace. Take a look at our featured session and check back often—we'll post more sessions as they become available.
Words matter: Promoting a positive relationship with food
Media, diet trends, and other social forces shape the food choices students make. Educators can help students navigate these influences and build healthier relationships with food. Join AHS Registered Dietitians to reflect on the power of your words and actions—you’ll come away with practical ideas to shift your language when speaking with students about food. For more information, go to healthy relationship with food.
Content warning: This learning module discusses diet, eating disorders and disordered eating, weight, and body image. If you have questions about this session, email PublicHealth.Nutrition@ahs.ca.
