Back-to-school health and safety tips from Fraser Health

The health and safety of students is always a top priority for Surrey Schools, and Fraser Health is once again sharing important and helpful information about public health services for students, parents and staff heading into the 2025-26 school year.

The health authority has numerous resources for families, including:

• A Healthy Back-to-School Guide, with information on maintaining communication with youth, managing anxiety, eating healthy and nutritious meals, staying active, supporting mental health, handling bullying, 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.
• Children and Youth Health, featuring resources and information on physical activity, injury prevention, mental health, immunizations, healthy diet and sleep schedules, intellectual development, dental and hearing health, speech and language services, substance use, surgery preparation, and child abuse and neglect.

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 to 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 to 10 students who consented to immunizations in the 2024-25 school year but missed their appointment at the school clinic will have the opportunity to receive their immunizations during the Grade 6 to 9 clinics at their schools.

Families can check their immunization records at healthgateway.gov.bc.ca

Measles

This year, Fraser Health is raising awareness about the importance of immunization against measles, a preventable illness that has been increasing globally, including within Canada.

Immunization is the best way to prevent measles infection. Please check that you (if born in 1970 or after) and your children have received at least two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Vaccines are available at many pharmacy locations, physician offices and at all public health units.

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and red, inflamed eyes, followed by a rash that typically starts on the face and neck and spreads to the chest, arms and legs. If your child has symptoms of measles, please keep them at home.

If you or your child needs urgent care for a high fever, please:

• inform your healthcare provider before you visit so they may take steps to prevent the spread of measles;
• wear a mask; and
• avoid public transportation.

🦷 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 2022-23 school year. The findings, as well as information on cavity rates in Fraser Health, are available at fraserhealth.ca/dentalhealth

All children should have their teeth checked by a dentist regularly. To find a local dentist near you who is accepting new patients, visit the BC Dental Association’s Find a Dentist database.

If you are a member of a low-income family and do not have extended health coverage, there are several programs that can help you access affordable dentistry for your children. You can also contact the dental program at your local public health unit and ask about resources available in your community.

👁️ 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