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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.
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Did you know that September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares six ways families can prevent child obesity at home. Tips include how to model a healthy eating pattern, be more active as a family, set consistent sleep routines, and replace screen time with family time.
Back-to-School Toolkit: Support Schools, Empower Students
The CDC offers resources for parents and teens to help start the school year successfully. For a healthy school year, focus on establishing routines, building connections, promoting healthy sleep and exercise habits, and managing stress. Check out the Back-to-School Toolkit for resources and social media tips that support student health and well-being.
District Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan Review and Verification
On September 2, 2025, the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is requesting all independent school districts, open-enrollment charter school districts, and junior/community colleges to submit their Basic Plan and Active Threat for Schools Annex course. Schools have 30 days to submit their plans. The deadline is October 2, 2025.
Staying Safe: School Safety Response Train-the-Trainer
The TxSSC is hosting a Staying Safe: School Safety Response Train-the-Trainer session in San Marcos, Texas on September 11, 2025. This training teaches students and staff how to respond to safety events based on their age and abilities. This training is open to public school districts, charter schools, junior colleges, law enforcement, and state agencies that support Texas schools. Register for this training or view all trainings.
Unassigned Medication for Respiratory Distress in Schools Online Training
The University of North Texas Health Science Center is working with the Texas Asthma Control Program at the Texas Department of State Health Services to create an online training course on how to respond to breathing emergencies at school. It meets the training requirements under Texas Education Code, Section 38.210 and is available for school staff and volunteers, or anyone who wants to learn more about responding to breathing emergencies at school.
Online Vaping Prevention and Education Resource Center
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) created the Vaping Prevention and Education Resource Center. The center provides free science-based resources that help teachers educate students about the risks of vaping and nicotine addiction. CTP also offers free materials to help parents identify vapes, talk to their kids, and keep the conversation going. Students can read real-life stories and helpful content to learn about vaping, nicotine addiction, common myths, and how to say no to vaping.
Talking with Teens About Underage Drinking
The Children’s Mental Health Network and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration created a guide called “After High School: Talking with Your Young Adult About Underage Drinking.” This guide helps parents, teachers, and school staff talk with teens about the risks of underage drinking. It offers tips on how to start the conversation, lists the important topics to cover, and emphasizes the need for trusted adults to discuss underage drinking.
Reducing Added Sugars at School Breakfast: Training Guide
A 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 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.
Helping New School Nurses Achieve Success
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) published an article titled “Keys to Success in School Nursing: Community, Collegiality, and Continuous Learning.” This article shares important insights about school nursing. It focuses on the key factors for success and what new school nurses need to thrive.
Asthma-Friendly Schools
The American Lung Association (ALA) Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative helps manage asthma in schools. This program follows the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) Model. It offers a toolkit that includes easy-to-follow steps, templates, and resources. The goal is to keep students with asthma healthy, in school, and to help them focus on learning.
Family Mental Health Resources
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) offers the findings of the Parent and Child Mental Health Survey. The survey was conducted in two waves, Wave 1 in English and Spanish in December 2023, and Wave 2 in English, Spanish, and Korean in March - April 2024. The survey shows that less than 20% of parents know about the mental health resources schools offer to support children’s mental health. To address this issue, AFHK created the Confident Connections Campaign. The campaign provides over 30 free resources for parents and caregivers of children in grades K-12. Confident Connections offers tips for having meaningful conversations, suggests activities for building strong connections, and provides information focused on improving mental health for youth.
Supporting Teens with Depression and Eating Disorders
Families for Depression Awareness is offering a free webinar called “Supporting Your Teen: Addressing Depression and Eating Disorders Together.” It will take place on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 6-7:30 p.m., CT. In this webinar, you will learn how depression and eating disorders in teens. The session will also provide information on finding the right treatment resources. You can register to join the live event or watch it on demand later.
“Learning should be a joy and full of excitement. It is life’s greatest adventure.” –Taylor Caldwell
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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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