Friday Beat

May 12, 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. It is edited and compiled by the School Health Program.

Announcements
Heat Awareness Week May 16 – 22, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) observes Heat Awareness Week May 15 – 19. This CDC resource shares information to keep infants and children safe as temperatures rise. The resource includes tips to prevent and identify heat-related illnesses. Share these resources with students and families before the summer break.

Asthma Awareness Month
The CDC recognizes May as Asthma Awareness Month. The CDC’s National Asthma Control Program works to help Americans with asthma achieve better health and improved quality of life. The Asthma Awareness Toolkit has resources on understanding asthma, controlling asthma in schools, and supporting others with asthma.

Professional Development
Webinar – Exploring the Relationship Between Bullying and Substance Use
Children’s Safety Network is hosting a webinar on May 23, 2023, to discuss the associations between bullying and substance use. The webinar will discuss factors to substance use and possible preventive interventions. You can register today to learn more about the association between environmental factors like bullying and adolescents which impact substance use.

Health Education
Kids Health in the Classroom Resources – Alcohol and Drug Use
Kids Health in the Classroom offers a resource packet for school health educators to teach how alcohol and drugs impact the body and mind. The alcohol and drug resources teach youth how to make safe and healthy choices when asked to participate. Teacher guides for grades 6-8 are available for alcohol use and drug use. The entire library of health resources offers several lessons that reach beyond the prevalence of alcohol and drug use in youth.

2022-2023 School Health Survey
The 2022-2023 Texas Education Agency School Health Survey is now available. Additional information regarding the survey and the link to participate are provided in the following TEA correspondence https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/2022-2023-school-health-survey. Districts and open-enrollment charters must complete the 2022-2023 survey on or before 5:00 pm (CDT) on Friday, June 2, 2023. For questions related to the school health survey, please email healthandsafety@tea.texas.gov.

Physical Education and Physical Activity
Math & Movement Webinar
Alliance for a Healthier Generation is hosting a webinar on May 24, 2023, to discuss Math & Movement. During the webinar, a panel will discuss strategies for incorporating physical activity into the classroom, the science behind movement-based learning, and the importance of adding more movement during the school day. Registration for the webinar is now available.

Tips for Managing Diabetes in the Heat
People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are potentially at a greater risk of being affected by the summer heat due to certain diabetes complications, increased risk of dehydration, and changes in how the body uses insulin at high temperatures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tips for managing diabetes as temperatures outside increase. Resources can be shared with families before and during the summer.

Nutrition Environment and Services
Starting a School Garden
The KidsGardening website is a resource for school professionals wanting to start a school garden. The “Starting a School Garden Program: Overview” article provides a full set of resources. The overview discusses how to design a garden, gather community and school administration support, and find resources. The program overview also goes into detail by connecting the garden to the classroom.

Health Services
SAY WHAT! Virtual Summit
The Say What! Virtual Summit will be hosted on May 17, 2023. The summit will feature conversations and activities led by teen ambassadors. Topics will include the physical and mental health effects of using vapes, secondhand and thirdhand aerosol, the dangerous chemicals inside these products, and how the tobacco industry targets youth. Register here to tune in to the virtual Say What Summit.

Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Reports Due Soon
The deadline for reporting your school’s mandatory Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Reports for this year is approaching soon. The deadline is June 30, 2023. Please note that reports are required to be submitted online by the reporting deadline of June 30th of every year. Late reports are not accepted. Report your submissions on the Child Health Reporting System. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact vhssprogram@dshs.texas.gov or chrs.loginhelp@dshs.texas.gov.

Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services
Mental Health Month Toolkit
May is Mental Health Month. Mental Health America has released a new toolkit that includes media and social media resources, printable informational handouts, posters, and DIY tools. The toolkit includes information about how the environment impacts mental health, suggestions for improving and maintaining mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges. Access the toolkit to bring awareness to your school and community.

Physical Environment
Climate Change and Children’s Health and Well-Being
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a report addressing the connection between children’s health and climate change. Findings in the climate change report show an expected increase in youth asthma cases and draw connections to a decrease in academic achievement. This EPA report will be discussed in an online webinar on May 22, 2023.

Family Engagement
Texas Fatherhood Summit
On June 1, 2023, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will host the 7th Annual Texas Fatherhood Summit in Austin, TX. The summit will focus on building and sharing a comprehensive approach to supporting Texas fathers and their families. Topics will share trends and best practices related to fatherhood-specific initiatives. Social work and LPC CEU’s will be available. Registration is now open.

Quote to Note
”Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn

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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. 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.

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