DSHS School Health Program Friday Beat - February 3, 2023

Friday Beat
February 3, 2023, Edition

The newsletter that takes a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach. The Friday Beat is a free publication of the Texas Department of State Health Services and is edited and compiled by the School Health Program.

Announcements
Attend the Texas School Health Advisory Committee Meeting
The Texas School Health Advisory Committee will hold its Spring meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023. There is an option to attend virtually through Microsoft TEAMS or in person. View the agenda and meeting information.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month
The American Dental Association’s Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention has announced that the February 2023 National Children’s Dental Health Month materials are now available. Use posters at school to encourage healthy oral hygiene among students. View posters, flyers, and other resources. Visit the Department of
State Health Services Smiles in Schools webpage for local resources and information.

2023 America’s Healthiest School Award
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is accepting applications from schools for the Healthier Generation Award. The Healthier Generation Award is an annual distinction presented to schools that have demonstrated remarkable efforts to prioritize the essential health needs of students, staff, and families. Schools that receive a Healthier Generation Award meet or exceed best practice standards in one or more topic areas related to the physical, mental, and social-emotional health of students, teachers, and school staff. Award winners are featured on the annual list of
America’s Healthiest Schools and receive a digital promotion package. Complete the
Alliance for a Healthier Generation award application by April 18, 2023.

National School Counseling Week February 6-10
National School Counseling Week 2023 is February 6-10, 2023. The aim of the awareness week is to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week highlights the impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Read more about National School Counseling Week for resources and tools to celebrate school counselors.

Funding Opportunities 
Garden Grant Program
The Whole Kids Foundation provides a $3,000 monetary grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden in K-12 schools or non-profits serving children. Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2023. A question-and-answer webinar regarding the grant application process will take place on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 2:00 pm CST. Register for the webinar and apply for the grant.

Nutrition Environment and Services
Comprehensive Framework for Addressing the School Nutrition Environment and Services
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a Comprehensive Framework for Addressing the School Nutrition Environment and Services. The framework describes the components of a school nutrition environment and how, together, they influence a student’s access to healthy foods and beverages at school. View additional information about school nutrition on the CDC webpage.

Health Services
Lessons from the Field Webinar – Part 2: Preventing and Addressing Fentanyl Use
The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments is hosting their second miniseries titled, Preventing and Addressing Fentanyl Use on February 8, 2023, at 2:00 pm Central Time. During the second webinar of this two-part miniseries, participants will learn about a variety of approaches schools and communities are taking to educate students on the risks of fentanyl. Hear from practitioners in schools and districts as well as community-based organizations working with schools to prevent and address fentanyl use.

Physical Environment
February is National Pesticide Safety Education Month
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes February as the Nation Pesticide Safety Education Month to raise awareness for pesticide safety education and share best practices for using pesticides safely in and around schools and homes. Learn about pesticide safety in schools and share resources with school communities.

Green Schools Conference: February 27-March 1, 2023
The annual Green Schools Conference will be February 27-March 1, 2023, in New Orleans. The conference will address topics from environmental impact to health and wellbeing. Session topics include school gardens, indoor air quality, social and emotional health, and nutrition programs. Register for the conference.

Quote to Note

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The articles and hyperlinks to external websites appearing in Friday Beat are intended to be informational and do not represent an endorsement by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Other websites may not be accessible to people with disabilities or server restrictions. External email addresses may also be provided as a courtesy. If you choose to correspond, please be advised that DSHS policies may not apply. For information about any of the

programs listed, contact the sponsoring organization directly. For comments or questions about Friday Beat, email the School Health Program at schoolhealth@dshs.texas.gov or call (512) 776-7279.

Public Domain. Permission granted to forward or make copies as needed.