Friday Beat
July 26, 2024, 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
Prepping for Back to School this Fall
In preparation for the new school year, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunizations Program provides information on required vaccines to keep children from kindergarten through 12th grade healthy, happy, and prepared for their education. To help residents keep track of their vaccination records, DSHS maintains the Texas Immunization Registry (ImmTrac2). ImmTrac2 keeps vaccination records for people who have opted into the registry. Share these resources with parents, families, and community members as we go into the new school year.

2025-2026 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Review Cycle Poll
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is looking for feedback and engagement from independent school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and junior colleges for the 2025-2026 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Review Cycle. Your commitment is crucial as it directly contributes to improving protocols and procedures across Texas districts, making a significant difference in the safety and security of students and staff. Complete the poll by July 19 at 5:00 pm. 

Professional Development
Strategies to Increase Attendance: Student Belonging, Engagement, and Inclusion
Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Kaiser Permanente are hosting a live panel discussion on August 21 at 12:00 pm. The discussion will focus on how building a culture of caring schools can address chronic absenteeism. Participants will learn about concepts for addressing chronic absenteeism, including creating a personal caring presence and creating a caring classroom environment. A Q&A portion will follow led by students, educators, and other experts on building caring environments to ensure a sense of belonging. Register on the Healthier Generation webpage.  

Enhancing Student Support: Leveraging Out of School Time and School Partnerships for Youth with Chronic Health Conditions Webinar
Learn how to create meaningful processes and partnerships to support chronically ill youth with this professional development opportunity for school staff and out-of-school time professionals. The American Academy of Pediatrics, National School Nurse Association, and the Education Development Center, Inc (EDC) in partnership with the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) will share best practices and tools to look into existing systems and supports; build relationships with student care teams, parents, schools, and other health care providers. In addition, it will help coordinate more effectively to promote the health, wellness, and safety of youth. The webinar will take place on August 22 at 2:00 pm. Register online.

Health Education
Youth Vaping Prevention and Resources to Quit
Truth Initiative and Kaiser Permanente, together with the American Heart Association have created a free digital program called Vaping: Know the Truth for vaping prevention. The interactive program aims to encourage students to live vape-free lives and provides resources to help young e-cigarette users quit through a texting program called This is Quitting. Download the course overview and learn more on the curriculum webpage.

Physical Education and Physical Activity
The Power of Outdoor Play Workshop
Let’s Inspire Innovation ‘N Kids (LiiNK) Center for Healthy Play is hosting a virtual workshop with sessions on July 30 and August 1 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. This training focuses on the power of play, the power of the outdoors, and identifying best practices for engaging in play daily. This training can be used in school, home, and community settings. Register on the LiiNK trainings webpage. 

Walk Across Texas! Youth
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is promoting Walk Across Texas! Youth, a free 8-week walking challenge designed to help Texas youth be more active and create a routine of regular physical activity. Year-round participation is encouraged using locally sponsored program activities. Resources, lesson plans, and registration information are available on the program webpage.

Nutrition Environment and Services
Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards for School Food Authorities
Action for Healthy Kids is offering Recognition Awards to celebrate School Food Authorities that have made big improvements to the nutritional quality of their school meals. The awards will show new ideas, student and community involvement, and the strategies schools are using to provide meals that align with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Information on the categories and criteria, the application portal, and helpful resources to complete the application can be found on the Recognition Awards page. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through June 30, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their results within two months of submission.

Available Summer Meals and Snacks for Kids
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SUN Meals (Summer Food and Service Program) shares places where kids of all ages can eat meals and snacks during the summer at no cost at schools, parks, and other neighborhood locations. No application is needed. SUN Meals may have a different name depending on where you live, but will still provide meals for kids and teens, and opportunities to participate in fun activities. Visit the SUN Meals webpage for the USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder and more information.

Counseling, Psychological and Social Services
Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT)
Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) provides telemedicine or telehealth programs to school districts to help identify and evaluate the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents and provide access to mental health services. TCHATT is available to any school district in Texas that wants it. If you’re a school district interested in joining TCHATT or have any questions, email tcmhcc@utsystem.edu.

Anxiety Resources
Kids can develop anxiety from many things, such as interactions with new animals, separation from their parents, or doing something embarrassing. The Child Mind Institute created a resource page covering a variety of topics related to anxiety in kids. Anxiety can show up in a lot of different ways, including headaches, stomachaches, extreme shyness, and tantrums. Explore the anxiety resources page for topics including parenting anxious kids, anxiety in schools, specific phobias, and information on different types of anxiety.

Community Involvement
Athletes and Asthma: The Community Coach’s Role
The Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program is offering a free online course for community coaches. By modeling real-life decisions experienced during practices and competitive events, coaches will learn how to help school-age athletes with asthma play to their full potential.  The course takes 35 minutes and provides coaches with the tools they need to appropriately respond to an asthma attack.

Quote to Note

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” –Pablo Picasso

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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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