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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.
It’s That Time of Year Again! Catch Your Child Up on Routine Immunizations for Back to School
August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunization Program has put together a Back-to-School Outreach Toolkit for the 2025-2026 school year, which can be found on the Back-to-School webpage. View the 2025-2026 Immunization Requirements for Schools and the Texas Vaccines for Children Program for more details. Share this information with families before the start of the next school year to make sure everyone is ready to go back to school.
Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
The National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute (NEI) observes August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. NEI for Kids is a website where children can learn about eye health and safety. Resources include information about vision, an “Ask the Scientist” video series, first aid and healthy vision tips, and related games for kids. To learn more about vision screenings for your school, visit the DSHS Vision and Hearing Screening webpage.
Flood and Water Damage Guidance
The American Lung Association shares guidance for floods and water damage, as it relates to lung disease. For people living with lung disease, flood water and water damage can make symptoms worse. For others, flood water and water damage can increase the likelihood of developing lung disease. Stay safe and read about steps you can take to protect your lung health during and after heavy rain and floods.
Turn To Campaign
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) runs the ‘Turn To’ substance use prevention media campaign with the help from the University of Texas at Austin Center for Health Communication. This campaign offers resources to support mental health and wellbeing to prevent substance abuse. You can find more information and materials on the campaign webpage, which are available in English and Spanish.
Reducing E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults Toolkit for Health Care Providers
The DSHS Texas Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program launched the Reducing E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults Toolkit for Health Care Providers. This toolkit includes current information about e-cigarette use and resources for tobacco prevention available to Texas residents. Health care providers working with youth and young adults who use e-cigarettes are encouraged to use this resource.
Active Students, Engaged Learners: Boosting Student Engagement through Physical Activity
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is hosting a webinar on August 20, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CT. This webinar will focus on how to increase student engagement through physical activity. Participants will learn how movement helps create a better learning environment. Additionally, participants will discover ways to include physical activity before, during, and after school to support student success. The webinar will feature a panel discussion that shares practical ideas for using movement to improve focus, behavior, and academic outcomes for all students. Register on the Healthier Generation webpage.
Move Your Way Campaign
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hosts the Move Your Way campaign. This campaign offers tools, videos, and tips that make it easier for both kids and adults to be more active. Families are encouraged to move together, so everyone gets health benefits.
Back to School Nutrition Resources
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service is providing resources to help USDA Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) offer healthy and tasty school meals for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond. You can find menu planning, nutrition education, and school meal promotion resources on their webpage. These resources are for the whole school community to prepare for the coming year.
Creating an Asthma Action Plan
The American Lung Association offers resources to help create an asthma action plan for anyone with asthma. The action plan can be helpful for school-age children when communicating with school personnel about needed accommodations. As we head into the new school year, share this information with parents and families.
Communication Skills for Mental Health Caregivers Webinar
Families for Depression Awareness is offering a free webinar for mental health caregivers on September 3rd, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. This webinar will help caregivers learn essential communication skills for supporting loved ones with depression. Participants will work through real-life scenarios caregivers often face. Learn practical communication techniques for discussing depression symptoms, seeking professional help, using de-escalation strategies, and handling trauma-related issue with care. Register to join the live webinar discussion or watch the webinar on demand after it airs.
Guide for Developing a High-Quality Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides resources to help schools create an Emergency Operations Plan. These plans protect students and staff from threats like natural disasters, extreme heat, violence, and disease outbreaks. Share this information with school administration and staff.
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” –Plutarch
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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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