Students

If your class is participating in the Healthy Heart Schools' Program, your teacher will send a booklet home with you. This booklet contains questions to help Heart Niagara understand the choices that students like you make related to eating, physical activity, and smoking. We also ask questions about your family history so we can better determine your risk of developing heart disease. If you are in grade 9, you need to have your booklet signed by your parent or guardian in order to participate in the finger-prick cholesterol test. If you are in grade 7, your booklet needs to be signed for you to participate in any of the heart health assessment. Please answer the questions in the booklet to the best of your ability and bring the booklet back to school when your teacher asks you to. If you have any questions, you can ask your teacher or email Heart Niagara. Below, we've also listed some of the questions we get from students. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Does the finger-prick cholesterol test hurt? (Grade 9 only) The test is very quick and most people say it feels like someone is flicking their finger. It hurts less than if you have accidentally poked yourself with the pin from a Remembrance Day poppy or a safety pin. 2. Will other students see how much I weigh? No one will see your weight unless you show them. Your height, weight and waist circumference measurements are all done behind a screen to ensure that they are kept private. 3. Why should I participate in this program? Participating in the heart health assessment helps Heart Niagara's research and our ability to help kids and teenagers make healthier choices. You will also get a better understanding of your own heart health. Participating in the CPR training will earn you a certification in CPR which is great for your resume for work, volunteering, or babysitting. Knowing CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) may also help you save someone's life.