Back to school

Back to school

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As summer draws to a close, it’s time to get the kids ready for a new school year. For many families, the transition can be challenging. There is plenty you can do to help your child adjust and stay safe and healthy at any stage. Make sure that your child practices healthy lifestyle habits, including eating healthy, keeping physically active and getting enough sleep. Keep up regular visits to their health care providers and ensure immunizations are up-to-date. Check in with your child’s mental health and help your child manage the stress of new routines and social situations.

Learn how to help your child stay safe and learn healthy lifestyle habits this school year.

On this page:

Childhood immunizations

Getting your child immunized can help save lives. Immunizations help your immune system recognize and quickly kill bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illness or death. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is offered to all students in grade 6. The meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine is offered to all students in grade 9. Learn about the routine immunizations offered in B.C.:

Health and safety at school

Respiratory illness safety

For the 2025/2026 school year, students and staff are in the classroom full time. For more information, visit:

Health concerns at school

If your child has health concerns such as asthma, allergies or diabetes, it’s important that you make a plan for the time they are at school:

Staying safe

Whether your child is playing at the playground, walking to school or carrying a backpack, their safety is important. Learn how to help keep your child safe:

Your health authority

Get school-related health information from your health authority:

Building healthy habits

Healthy eating

Creating healthy eating habits from an early age is an important part of your child’s growth and development. Learn about healthy eating, including healthy beverage choices and meal and snack ideas:

For additional healthy eating information or advice, you can call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered dietitian or email a HealthLinkBC dietitian.

Physical activity

Physical activity is an important part of your child’s growth, development and overall health. Learn the types and amounts of physical activities children require each day and tips on how they can get and stay active:

For more physical activity information or advice, you can call 8-1-1 to speak with a qualified exercise professional or email Physical Activity Services.

Getting enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for children of all ages. Learn about why this is important, how much sleep children need, tips for having a healthier sleep, and why your child might not be sleeping well:

Emotional and mental wellbeing

Bullying

Bullying can happen in all kinds of situations. It can be physical, verbal, social, or online. Learn about bullying, including how to know if your child is being bullied or is bullying:

Mental health

Mental health issues can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender or ethnicity. Learn about mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders and what to do if you or someone you know needs help:

Starting a new school

Starting a new school can be scary. In some children, it can cause stress or anxiety as they struggle to fit in, make new friends and create a new routine. Get tips on how to help your child transition into a new school, develop social skills and self-esteem and deal with stress:

Substance use

The childhood and teenage years are when children experience and try new things. While most of these experiences can be positive, some may be risky or unsafe. Make time to talk openly and honestly with your children about complex issues such as substance use and overdose. To learn more about alcohol and drug use in young people, visit:

Sexual and reproductive health

Get information about sexual and reproductive health, such as how to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), birth control options and more:

Routine checkups

As your child grows, it’s important that they get regular checkups with their family doctor or nurse practitioner, eye doctor and dentist. Learn what routine health checkups your child should have:

Useful resources

ERASE = Expect Respect and a Safe Education

Provides information to help youth, adults, and school staff build safe, caring and inclusive school communities.

Healthy Schools BC

A partnership of organizations working together on healthy school initiatives. Provides healthy school information, stories and resources from across B.C. to help support the health and learning of students.