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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.
Friday Beat Schedule
Due to the upcoming holiday breaks, the Friday Beat will have a slightly different schedule. Below are the publication dates for the remaining 2025 Friday Beat editions:
- December 5, 2025
- December 19, 2025
The Friday Beat will resume regular bi-weekly publications starting January 9, 2026. Subscribe to the Friday Beat or view past editions on the School Health Program webpage. Happy holidays!
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
The National Association of School Nurses created the Coordinated Support System for Students with Epilepsy (CSSSE) program to help school nurses support students with epilepsy. This program assists students during their time in school and after they graduate. You can find free resources, toolkits, and training on the CSSSE webpage. These materials aim to reduce stigma and raise awareness about epilepsy within school communities.
On-Demand School Health Learning Courses
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) offers four free online courses for Texas educators on AFHK’s Impact Portal Learning Library. The courses cover important topics, like School Health Advisory Committees (SHACs), Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP), School Wellness Policies, and Unassigned Medications. To access these courses, sign up or login to the AFHK Impact Portal.
Restorative Practices for Educators
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is hosting multiple opportunities to take a training on Restorative Practices for Educators in Texas. This training teaches participants how to communicate effectively, set healthy boundaries, take responsibility, resolve conflicts, and heal from harm. In the four-hour session, participants will learn how restorative practices can help schools before and after conflicts arise. To find dates and locations, visit the TxSSC website.
Partners in Prevention Conference
The Health and Human Services Commission will hold the Partners in Prevention Conference on November 18-20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. This event is a chance for professionals interested in child-family well-being, youth development, and juvenile justice to connect with one another. Attendees will hear a variety of presentations, including topics like real-life experiences from parents and youth, fatherhood engagement, ethics, program evaluation, home visiting, and positive youth development. More details about registration will be shared soon on the conference webpage.
GENYOUth: Shaping the Future of Physical Activity and P.E.
The GenYOUth National Youth Council and Youth Insights Advisory Council created the “Shaping the Future of Physical Activity and P.E.” report based on a survey of middle and high school students across the country. The report shows the growing problem of physical inactivity among American youth and discusses why young people are not participating in physical activities. It includes suggestions from students on how to encourage more involvement in physical activity.
Guide: Vary Your Protein Foods
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service published information on how to vary the types of protein in children’s diet. The guide offers tips for choosing a variety of protein sources while grocery shopping and suggests healthier meal options.
Elementary Educators’ Guide to Container Gardening
Kids Gardening and Crescent Garden partnered to create the Elementary Educators’ Guide to Container Gardening. This guide helps instructors teach container gardening to kids. It includes tips on garden design and planting. The guide also connects gardening activities to the school curriculum. Additionally, it provides 10 fun ideas for themed container gardens for kids, such as a Salsa Garden, Tea Garden, or Sensory Garden.
988 Partner Toolkit
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides the 988 Partner Toolkit, which includes materials to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline. These materials can also be adapted to meet the needs of specific audiences.
Tips for Talking with and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration created a guide for parents, caregivers, and teachers on how to talk with children and youth after a disaster or traumatic event. The guide offers tips to help kids cope with these events and includes a list of useful resources. Share with parents, families, and school staff.
Quality Time in No Time Course
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation hosts an on-demand online course on quick and simple ways to make family time more meaningful. Tips include connecting families when spending time in-person or virtually when apart from each other. Share this resource with families and community members.
Choosing and Maintaining Effective Programs in Schools — Youth Violence Prevention (iCHAMPS-YVP) Needs Assessment
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s School of Public Health’s Texas Violence and Injury Prevention Research Center is conducting a needs assessment to better understand how Texas school districts prevent and address bullying and teen dating violence. If you work in a Texas school district and are involved in these prevention efforts (e.g. school district superintendents, counselors, safety coordinators, student support services staff, etc.), you are eligible to participate. For more information, please reach out to rhoda.leos@uth.tmc.edu or call (210) 591-3341.
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” –Cicero
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.
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