The Canadian Cancer Society s SunSense Certification Guide for Elementary Schools 2018-19 Generously supported by:
What is the SunSense Certification? The SunSense program supports elementary schools in creating sun safe environments that protect students and staff from harmful ultraviolet radiation. By using a multi-component approach that engages parents, staff and students, schools can influence sun safety behaviours and attitudes, resulting in a positive impact on health and a culture of sun safety within the school community. Schools can gain the title of being a SunSense Certified school by completing the 7-step process outlined in this guide. At each step schools will earn points by completing key milestones and activities. Schools that earn enough points are awarded a Gold, Silver of Bronze level SunSense Certificate. Why is it important to practice sun safety in schools? Research indicates childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is an important contributing factor to the development of skin cancer later in life. But staying inside is not the answer. As Canadian children are spending more time indoors in front of screens, it is imperative that they enjoy the health and wellness benefits of time in the outdoors. Given students are at school during the highest UVR risk period of the day between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. schools play a major role in both minimizing students exposure and positively influencing student behaviour by establishing routines that foster healthy, safe enjoyment of the outdoors. Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in Canada and it is on the rise! 1 in 7 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to UVR, which causes about 90% of skin cancers. Although one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, skin cancer is also one the most PREVENTABLE types of cancer. Numerous studies conclude that childhood is a key period to intervene to prevent children from developing fatal forms of skin cancer. SunSense FACTS: 80% of UVR exposure occurs before the age of 18. As few as 1-2 sunburns during childhood is linked to increased risk of skin cancer Melanoma rates are highest among young people ages 15-29 1
SunSense A Multi-component approach Research indicates that sun safety programs using a multi-component approach are more likely to alter children s behaviour than those that use a single approach. The SunSense Certification program includes three key components. To ensure a comprehensive sun safety plan, schools are encouraged to include activities from all three components. Key components of SunSense Education and Awareness Parents, staff and students are educated about the importance of sun safety and best practices for preventing skin cancer. Practices and Procedures Best practices for sun safety are integrated into daily routines or formal procedures are developed and implemented school-wide. Enhancement of Shade Safe learning environments and improved spaces for outdoor play are created by increasing shade on the school yard where sun exposure is greatest. Sun Safety Policies Schools can also engage School Boards in discussions to include sun safety in existing policies related to extreme temperatures and weather conditions. This type of policy aligns with the mandate of schools to provide a safe learning environment and protect students from injury and harm. It also protects all children/staff including those who are unable/unwilling to protect themselves. Refer to the SunSense Policy Guide for more information at www.cancer.ca/sunsense Best Practices for Preventing Skin Cancer 1 2 3 SEEK! Seek shade or create your own where it is not available SLIP! Wear loose clothes to cover your arms and legs SLAP! A wide brim protects your ears, neck and face 4 SPF 5 SLOP! SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin SLIDE! Protect your eyes 2
7 Steps to becoming a SunSense School Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Register Online Form a SunSense Team Review Guide & Develop a Plan Submit Progress Report Implement your plan Submit Final Report Celebrate! How does my school get certified? Schools become SunSense certified by completing the 7 steps outlined below and earning enough points to be awarded a Gold, Silver of Bronze level certification. Step 1: Register Online Visit the Canadian Cancer Society s SunSense website at www.cancer.ca/sunsense to register your school. The deadline for registration is Friday, November 2, 2018. Space is limited so be sure to register early. Step 2: Form a SunSense Team Create a committee that will be dedicated to implementing SunSense in your school. Try to engage representatives of different groups within your school, for example, students, staff, parents etc. You will need to designate a team lead to act as the key contact person and also provide a letter of support from the Principal or Vice Principal of the school. A template letter of support is available on the SunSense website. Step 3: Review the Guide and Develop a Plan Review this Guide to determine what types of activities you need to complete to earn points towards becoming a SunSense certified school. Select the activities that are realistic for your team to implement and begin to make a plan. A template planning document is available on the SunSense website. Step 4: Submit Progress Report To be eligible for certification your team must provide a progress report by the deadline. This report will include information about your team and details of your plan for implementing SunSense in your school. It will be submitted online. The deadline to submit this report is Friday, February 1, 2019. Step 5: Implement your plan Implement the activities outlined in your plan. Review the final report to become familiar with what kind of information you will need to report on. Share your successes by taking photos and posting to social media. Step 6: Submit Final Report To be considered for certification you will need to submit the final report by the deadline. This report will include details of the success of your planned activities and will be completed online. The deadline to submit the report is Friday June 14, 2019. Step 7: Celebrate! Host a celebration event with your team or within the school. Be proud of your accomplishments! 3
Key Dates November 2, 2018 Deadline to register (limited spaces so register early) February 1, 2019 Submit Progress Report (includes information about steps 2 & 3) June 14, 2019 June 24, 2019 (week of) Submit Final Report Certificates Awarded Certification Levels Schools that earn enough points are rewarded with a Gold, Silver or Bronze level SunSense Certificate. The number of points earned will determine which level the school has achieved. The table below shows the points required for each level. Level Points Gold 451-600 Silver 361-450 Bronze 301-360 Participant Less than 300 4
How do I earn points? This section outlines how points are earned at each step of the certification process. Step in Process Actions to earn points Points Required for Report Step 2 Designate a School Contact person Name of School Contact Form a Team Support from Principal/ Vice Principal Statement of Support (70 pts. max) Team members include: List of Team members and their roles. Students 20 Pts Staff Parents Public Health Nurse Step 3 Review the Guide Develop a Plan Identify current practices Complete checklist (60 pts max.) Select activities to implement (must include 1 from each category) see list on pg.6 Develop a work plan with timelines 30 pts List of activities Complete template Step 4 Submit first report by Friday February 1, 2019 First Report ( max) Step 5 Activities implemented were targeted at: Indicate audience of each activity Implement the Plan 80 pts max. + 360) max activity points) Students Parents School Staff Sun Safety initiatives were implemented multiple times throughout the school year Points for each activity completed see list on pg.6 Provide dates of each activity. Completion of all activities in the plan from Step 4 Complete checklist and questionnaire All team members assisted in implementation Explain roles each member played. Step 6 Submit final report by June 14, 2019 Final Report ( max.) 5
The table below also includes point values for specific activities that may be included as part of Step 3 and Step 5. Category 1: Education & Awareness Teachers complete online webinar on sun safety and UVR Sun Sense classroom lessons and activities delivered in grades K-3 Sun Sense classroom lessons and activities delivered in grades 4-6 Sun Sense classroom lessons delivered in EVERY CLASS Sun Sense presentation provided at a school-wide assembly Information cards sent to parents Sun Safety information included in morning announcements: Weekly Monthly 2-4 times per year Participate in Sun Awareness Week (June) Point Value 30 pts Category 2: Practices & Procedures School level procedure that promotes wearing hats School level procedure that promotes outdoor activities in the shade School level procedure to promote the use of sun screen Staff role model sun safe practices Communication to parents re: best practices and sun safety guidelines at school Category 3: Enhance Shade Complete a shade audit Develop a plan to create more shade on the school grounds Get approval from school to implement shade plan Fundraise for shade structures/sails/trees Construct shade structures/ install sails/ plant trees 50 pts 6
Tools and Resources The Canadian Cancer Society provides a number of tools and resources to assist you in meeting your goals. The items listed below are available for FREE download on the SunSense website. Fact Sheet Parent Information Postcards Lesson Plans and Presentations Crosswords, Trivia and Work Scramble activity sheets Letter to Parents Policy Guide Sample Policies and Procedures Poster There are also materials available for order. You can place your order within the registration form. These items include: Parent information postcards Posters UV Bracelets Fortune Teller game Contact us For more information and to register visit: www.cancer.ca/sunsense Email: sunsense@ontario.cancer.ca 7
About the Canadian Cancer Society The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), is a community-based organization committed to improving and saving lives. Founded in 1938, CCS is the only national charity that supports all Canadians with all cancers in communities across the country. Our mission work We set ourselves apart from other cancer charities by taking a comprehensive approach to the way we fight cancer. Here s how we are doing more: We are the country s largest national charitable funder of research into all types of cancer. We educate people on how to reduce their risk of cancer and how some types of cancer can be found early through screening tests. Our support services help people with cancer and their loved ones at a time when they are scared and anxious. We are a trusted source of information about all types of cancer. We advocate to governments on important cancer-related issues and on behalf of those affected by cancer. About half of all cancers can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect health of Canadians. Making health choices like practicing sunsense can go a long way to reducing risk. 8