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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.
Guidance for Preventing Spread of Infections in K-12 Schools
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released evidence-based guidance for K-12 schools to help prevent infections. This guidance describes simple actions that schools can take to limit the spread of viruses, like flu and norovirus, and bacterial infections such as strep throat. The goal is to keep students in school and healthy while reducing the risk of illness. Please share this information with parents, teachers, and school staff.
Take Care of Texas Ambassador Program
Are you a teacher who cares about conserving Texas' natural resources? You can now apply for the 2025-2026 Take Care of Texas (TCOT) Ambassador Program. As an ambassador, you will have access to resources, join a community of educators, and help shape the curriculum within the TCOT program. To apply or learn more, visit the TCOT webpage.
School Health Professional Development Webinar Series
Action for Healthy Kids is hosting free webinars on various school health topics. The webinar is from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (CST). Click on the link next to the date to register. Below is the last webinar of this series:
June 17: Unassigned Medications
Leading Healthy Schools Administrator Capacity-Building Program
Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America), has launched Leading Healthy Schools, a free program for school leaders. This program helps you create effective health programs and policies at your school using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. This opportunity is open for principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders passionate about improving their school community's health and well-being. To apply, visit the SHAPE America webpage. Applications are due by August 10, 2025.
Safe at School Webinar Series
The American Diabetes Association’s Institute of Learning offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the Safe at School Webinar Series. This seven-part series recently finished and covers topics like diabetes basics, how to use continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and insulin pumps, nutrition, and legal protections. You can find the recorded one-hour webinars online at the link provided.
Oliver Foundation: Healthy Choices Garden Grant
The Oliver Foundation is taking applications from schools for the Healthy Choices Garden Grants Level 2. This grant ranges from $3,000 to $5,000. Garden Grants are awarded for a two-year (4 semesters) or longer program at the campus level (K-12th grade) that incorporates a minimum of 5 of the 7 Healthy Messages. A physical activity and nutrition educational component are required. The grants have rolling deadlines up to July 15, 2025. Visit the grants webpage to learn about eligibility for this grant and the other Oliver Foundation grants.
Texas Live Vape Free Program Expands to Include Young Adults
The Live Vape Free Program is an interactive e-cigarette/vaping cessation program for youth ages 13-17 and young adults ages 18-26. Live Vape Free helps youth and young adults:
- Learn about the harms of e-cigarettes/vaping.
- Hear from their peers.
- Have a place to take action once they are ready to quit.
When youth and young adults are ready to quit, they can enroll in the program online or by texting VAPEFREE to 873373.
Junior Ranger Youth Explorer Program
Texas Parks and Wildlife has a Junior Ranger Youth Explorer Program to help kids spend time outside. Free, ranger journals are available for download to encourage participation and the program includes ideas to promote outdoor activities. Use this resource with kids during summer programming or share it with families to increase engagement.
Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition
The National Institutes of Health’s Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition (We Can!) movement is a resource schools can use to engage their communities in helping children maintain a healthy weight. By focusing on healthy eating, staying active, and reducing screentime, parents, educators, and entire communities can make a difference. Access the We Can! resources to learn more about this educational program.
Summer Food, Summer Moves Resources
The United States Department of Agriculture Team Nutrition created a Summer Food, Summer Moves online resource kit. The kit gets kids and families excited about healthy eating and physical activity during the summer months. It focuses on using music, games, art, and movement to promote healthy life choices. The kit also encourages kids and families to choose more fruits and vegetables, opt for water instead of sugary drinks, engage in regular physical activity, and limit screen time. Share the activity guides and other resources with parents, caregivers, and families.
Sweet Summer Habits Program
Healthier Texas is launching a campaign for school-aged kids celebrating Sweet Summer Habits. The goal is to encourage kids to take care of their health. The campaign promotes healthy activities, provides helpful resources, and fosters a supportive community. Children, parents, and educators can use interactive game boards, join free virtual exercise classes, and access telehealth coaching.
Texas Parent to Parent Conference
Texas Parent to Parent is hosting its annual conference on July 18 and 19 in San Marcos, Texas. Through seminars and face-to-face networking, parents, self-advocates, family members, caregivers and professionals learn from each other as they continue their unique journeys caring for a child with a disability or a special health care need. For registration and more information, please visit the event page on the Texas Parent to Parent website.
“Always find time for the things that make you feel happy to be alive.” –Matt Haig
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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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