Friday Beat
September 6, 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
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Did you know that September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently shared information discussing 6 ways families can prevent child obesity at home. Tips include ways to model a healthy eating pattern, be more active as a family, set consistent sleep routines, and how to replace screen time with family time.

Survey: Current Practices for Over-the-Counter Medication in Schools
Texas School Nurses Organization (TSNO) is working closely with the Texas Board of Nurses (BON) and others to understand the current practices related to over-the-counter medication administration in schools. Your help is needed! Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share basic information about your school, describe how you give medicine, and explain any challenges and ideas for getting standing orders. This survey will also allow you to provide input on which common symptoms you see that could be helped by a standing order. The survey is open until Tuesday, September 10. All responses will remain anonymous; please feel free to share this link with other school nurses.

School Health Index Functional Updates
On July 17, 2024, the CDC released a set of functional updates to the online version of the School Health Index (SHI). This update provides SHI with a new look, fixes for reported bugs, and increased user functionality.

Back-to-School Toolkit: Support Schools, Empower Students
The CDC provided flyers with tips for parents and tips for teens to start the school year off strong. Establishing routines, building connections, ensuring healthy sleep and exercise habits, and managing stress are just some of the ways parents, families, and kids can prepare for a healthy school year ahead. To support this transition, check out the Back-to-School Toolkit—with resources and social media tips to help promote student health and well-being. Don’t miss the flyers on helping prepare for an emotionally healthy school year!

Professional Development
Every Day Counts: Community Conversations on School Attendance Webinars
National Training & Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) will host two webinars on September 9 and September 16 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Experts from different communities and child-serving agencies will discuss ways to address chronic absenteeism and promote regular school attendance. They will also share strategies to help improve attendance and engagement among youth. Register here.

Helping New School Nurses Achieve Success
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) published Keys to Success in School Nursing: Community, Collegiality, and Continuous Learning. The article offers valuable insights into the multifaceted role of school nursing, highlighting the essential elements of success and what new school nurses need.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Special Offer: Asthma Management Education Online (AME-O) Available for Free in September
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is offering their Asthma Management Education Online (AME-O) training for free during September. Respiratory Therapists and Nurses can earn 8.75 contact hours while learning information on assessment and monitoring, control of environmental factors, medicine management, and patient education. Learn more and access the training on the AAFA webpage.

Health Education
Texas Say What! Advocate! Training Module
Students, Adults, and Youth Working Hard Against Tobacco (Texas Say What!) launched its new Don’t Wait! Advocate! training module, which equips youth and adults alike with essential advocacy skills, guiding them to harness their voices to support causes that matter. This training is geared towards tobacco and nicotine-free generation. There are a variety of self-paced activities to explore strengths, start community engagement, and prepare to create meaningful change.

Talking with Teens About Underage Drinking
Children’s Mental Health Network and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration developed After High School: Talking with Your Young Adult About Underage Drinking. This resource is for parents, teachers, and school professionals to talk with teens about the consequences of underage drinking as they are moving into young adulthood. Ways to start the conversation, important topics of discussion, and the importance of having trusted adults to talk to about underage drinking are included in the resource.

Nutrition Environment and Services
Q&A Panel Discussion - Strategies to Increase Attendance: School Meals and Food Security
Alliance for a Healthier Generation is hosting an online Q&A panel discussion on how supporting students and families experiencing food insecurity can impact chronic absenteeism. Participants will explore how schools and districts can support nutrition security through school-based programs and additional food support. Hear from students, community partners, and leaders from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on how schools can be vital centers for food resources. The webinar will be on September 18, 2024, at 12:00 pm CT. Register on the Healthier Generation webpage.

Reducing Added Sugars at School Breakfast: Training Guide
A new training guide for school nutrition professionals from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service identifies sources of added sugars and ways to reduce them in school breakfast. Please make sure to share this guide with school staff! This resource meets the added sugars limits included in the Final Rule - Child Nutrition Programs Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Health Services
2023 Texas School Nurse Workforce Survey Results
DSHS published the 2023 Texas School Nurse Workforce factsheet from a survey conducted by the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies. For more information and other reports, visit the Nursing Workforce Reports webpage.

Community Involvement
2025 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Application is Open
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is accepting applications for the 2025 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate accomplishments in environmental preservation and protection. Citizens, communities, and organizations can apply to receive the state’s highest environmental honor. There are ten award categories, including Education, Youth, and Civic/Community. Applications are due Friday, September 13, 2024.

Quote to Note
“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” –Bil Keane

__________________________________________________________

Become a Friday Beat subscriber by signing up on the Friday Beat webpage!

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.

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