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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 (DSHS). It is edited and compiled by the School Health Program.
Happy Holidays
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) School Health Program wishes everyone a happy and safe winter break. Thank you for your service to Texas students and families! The Friday Beat will not be published on December 27th or January 3rd and will resume January 10th, 2025.
Health Alert: Increase in Pertussis Cases
The number of pertussis cases in Texas has tripled in 2024 compared to 2023. Based on preliminary data, this follows a national trend, which has seen a more than fivefold increase in 2024 cases. DSHS advises clinicians to follow the recommendations in the health alert and report any cases to their local health department within one workday. Please send questions to the Vaccine-Preventable Disease Team at VPDTexas@dshs.texas.gov.
Start with Hello Program
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is teaming up with Sandy Hook Promise to offer the “Start with Hello” training program. This program teaches students how to be more socially inclusive and connected. With activities and programs available for all ages, students are empowered to end social isolation in three steps: see someone alone, reach out and help, and start with hello.
The training is 2.5 hours and includes various activities to help schools incorporate this training into their culture. You can register for the next session on January 21, 2025, from 9:30am-12:00pm.
Safety Planning Interventions
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will hold Safety Planning Intervention Trainings throughout 2025. This training teaches participants how to conduct safety planning with individuals who may be at risk of suicide. A safety plan is a written, prioritized list of coping strategies and resources to reduce suicide risk. This plan is made together by an individual and a mental health professional, such as a school counselor, nurse, social worker, or licensed professional counselor.
To register for the training on January 30, 2025, or to see other training dates, please email suicide.prevention@hhs.texas.gov.
2025 TAAIS Memorial Foundation Asthma Scholarship Award
The Texas Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Society (TAAIS) Memorial Foundation announced the 2025 TAAIS Memorial Foundation Asthma Scholarship Award. This $3,000 one-time award will be granted to up to five qualified Texas high school seniors who live with asthma and plan to attend college. The deadline to apply for the award is March 3, 2025. Visit the TAAIS webpage to apply and for additional information.
Understanding Polysubstance Use and How to Make Health-Enhancing Choices
The National Institute on Drug Abuse and SHAPE America have created lesson plans for high school students to help them understand polysubstance use and make healthier choices. This lesson teaches decision making using the DECIDE model, which is a tool that can help teens feel equipped and empowered to make good decisions about their health.
Move Your Way
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion updated the Move Your Way resources. Parents can use an interactive webpage to find out how their children can reach the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity. This can include activities before, during, and after school as well as in the evenings.
FitnessGram Overview Sessions by Greenlight Fitness
GreenLight Fitness will hold sessions for Texas school districts and charter schools using the FitnessGram® platform. The sessions will cover how to sign up, navigate the system, create test events, enter data, and generate reports. You can register for the sessions on January 22nd or January 28th through the respective links.
Holidays with Food Allergies
The Allergy and Asthma Network recorded a webinar on Holidays with Food Allergies to help participants navigate the holiday season safely. Allergies and asthma are a challenge to manage on a regular day and the holidays may create new obstacles to plan around. Participants will learn how to navigate the holiday season safely with food allergies.
Take Care of Texas Holiday Guide
Take Care of Texas has created a series of blogs about holiday sustainability to help you reduce waste, save energy, and make environmentally friendly choices during the holidays. You can find tips for sustainable decorating, cooking without wasting food, and using low-waste options for wrapping gifts.
Share Safe Firearm Storage Information Prior to the Holiday Break
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) advises school districts to share information about safe firearm storage with parents before the holiday break, including the new educator toolkit and sample letters. Districts can use this template to introduce the resources and share information about section 46.13 of the Penal Code. The Texas Department of Public Safety has an educator toolkit and social media graphics available for schools to download.
“May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.”
–Mary Anne Radmacher
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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.
Public Domain. Permission granted to forward or make copies as needed.
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