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McKinnon P.S. &Ruth Thompson Middle

School 2013 Health Expo

Project Overview• Health and Wellness Expo to encourage parents to

encourage a healthy family life

• Mental health, nutrition, active living, relaxation and community resources

• Expo represented the culmination of family-centred activities taking place at both schools throughout the year

• Overall objectives: partnership between schools and parent councils and a year that engaged, educated and inspired parents to get involved and get healthy

• Welcoming atmosphere – reduce barriers to participation

Promotional Materials• Flyers, posters, web link with local councillor, roadside

signs

• Syner-voice, emails

• Goal was to reach as many families in the community in as many ways possible

• We are everyone’s school and every family is welcome

• Good information that can help your child succeed at school

Student Success• By encouraging health family life it encourages better

parent involvement and increased student success at school

• Student participation – drumming, ambassadors

• Healthy family life was an ongoing focus at both schools as was mental health

• Family nights at each respective school – ie, Yoga night, badminton night, family game night

• Make the schools a welcoming place for all families

Budget• Two PRO grants: 2 @ $1,000 each = $2,000 budget

• Main expenses : printing, honorariums

• Partnership, partnership, partnership

– Two school parent councils = 1 great idea – Sue McFadden – Ward 10 – web, prizes, road sign– West Credit S..S – catering– Schools – student drumming, ambassadors– Settlement worker– Region of Peel Health– City of Mississauga – parks/rec– Loblaws - nutritionist

Impact• Feedback via survey

• Very positive response

• 100 attendees/53 returned surveys• 95% very impressed and would attend again• 100% felt welcomed and engaged• Anecdotal - Good committee turn out for meetings and

at event, spirit of partnership, school family• Parents felt info provided was useful – take away info

to help families new to Mississauga/Canada

• Language barrier

Key learning• Partnerships work – we are better together

• People will come if you provide relevant info and plenty of lead time

• If you want a good school where kids are successful parents need to get involved in appropriate areas

• Making people feel welcome goes a long way

• Plans to expand next year to 3+ schools