Back-to-school health and safety tips from Fraser Health
The health and safety of students is always a top priority for the school district, and Fraser Health is once again sharing important and helpful information about public health services for students, families and staff heading into the 2024-25 school year.
The health authority has prepared numerous resources, including:
- A Healthy Back-to-School Guide, with information on managing anxiety, eating healthy and nutritious meals, staying active, travelling safely to and from school, prioritizing sleep and boosting your immunity;
- School Health, an online resource with FAQs on mental wellness, support services for children, learning and developmental disorders, medical conditions, sex education and sexual identity, and more.
Fraser Health also has more detailed information about immunizations and health screenings for dental, vision and hearing for children:
Immunizations
In the Fraser Health region, students in Grades 6-9 are offered immunizations by public health nurses at school. Information and consent forms will be sent home starting in September. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to discuss consent for immunization with their children.
Grade 7-10 students who consented to immunizations in the 2023-24 school year but missed their appointment at the school clinic will have the opportunity to receive their immunizations during the Grade 6-9 clinics at their schools.
Families can check their immunization records at healthgateway.gov.bc.ca
Dental
Every three years, the B.C. government conducts a provincewide kindergarten dental survey to monitor trends in early childhood dental health and identify children with dental concerns. This survey last took place in the 2023-24 school year. The findings, as well as information on cavity rates in Fraser Health, are available at fraserhealth.ca/dentalhealth
Based on these results, this school year, dental screenings will be offered by public health in schools where there were a high number of students identified with dental health issues such as cavities or tooth decay. A separate letter with more information and further instructions will be sent to these schools.
Vision
Children should have a yearly eye exam with an optometrist to help detect issues early and provide treatments. Vision issues may impact learning in kindergarten and subsequent grade levels.
Public health does not currently provide vision screenings in schools. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to book an eye exam for their child at their local optometrist.
In B.C., basic eye exams are free for children and youth under 18, although some eye doctors may charge a small fee per visit. The Healthy Kids Program may offer financial assistance for prescription glasses to eligible low-income families.
To find an optometrist in your area, contact the BC Doctors of Optometry at 604-737-9907 or toll-free 1-888-393-2226, or visit bc.doctorsofoptometry.ca. For more information, visit fraserhealth.ca/ChildHealthScreenings
Hearing
Good hearing is essential for speech and language development, and plays an important role in a child’s social and emotional growth. Community audiologists in public health provide hearing services for children from birth to age 19.
For children with hearing concerns, referrals can be made by a parent or guardian, or by a health or education professional, to the local public health audiology clinic using the Audiology Clinic Referral form. For more information about hearing, visit fraserhealth.ca/hearingservices
