Good afternoon Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,
Below, please find a message from Toronto Public Health with important information for the 2023-24 school year. Thank you.
September 7, 2023
Re: Toronto Public Health Back to School Information
Dear Parent or Guardian,
As you prepare your child to return to school in September, here is some important health information from Toronto Public Health (TPH) for the upcoming school year.
Reducing the Spread of Respiratory Viruses and Communicable Diseases
To help protect our school communities during respiratory illness season, staff, students, and visitors are being reminded to:
- .
- Use the provincial before attending school or work if they have any symptoms of illness.
- often and with their elbow or a tissue.
- Stay up to date on vaccinations:
- : Students need to be up to date with vaccinations against certain diseases as outlined in Ontario’s , or have a valid exemption. This includes vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis, meningococcal and chicken pox vaccines. Vaccines are available through your primary care providers or at a . Vaccinations need to be reported to .
- : Students in grade 7 & 8 will be offered the hepatitis B, HPV, and meningococcal vaccines in school through TPH’s School Immunization Program. Students in grades 9 to 12 who missed these vaccines can still get them for free at a .
- and : An updated booster for COVID-19 and an influenza (flu) vaccine will be available this fall. Both will be important to prevent serious illness from these viruses during peak respiratory illness season.
- As respiratory virus activity increases this fall, a well-fitted, high-quality in crowded indoor settings with poor ventilation, may be important, especially for those who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Dental Screening Program
TPH Dental & Oral Health Services staff will be conducting dental screening for all elementary school grades. For children with identified dental care needs, TPH will assist families in the process of finding a dental provider and will provide information about good oral health habits.
School Health Services
TPH’s team of health professionals work to service school communities using the Healthy Schools approach, based on the Ontario Ministry of Education’s . Our School Liaison Public Health Nurses provide consultation, resources, referrals, and other supports to Toronto schools.
More Information
Stay tuned for more information via your child’s school principal or visit to learn more about:
Questions?
Contact Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600 or PublicHealth@toronto.ca.
Sincerely,
Nicole Welch BSc., MSc., RN
Director/Chief Nursing Officer
Child Youth Health and Development
Toronto Public Health