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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 New Year from the School Health Program (SHP)! We hope everyone had a great winter break and a happy new year! Our team is looking forward to continuing our efforts to support the health and well-being of Texas students.
National Children’s Dental Health Month
Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month by using free digital posters, 2026 Brushing Calendars, and activity sheets from the American Dental Association. For more information on oral health, visit the Oral Health Improvement Program website. To schedule a free preventative dental service clinic for your students, contact your regional dental team.
National Pesticides Safety Education Month
February is National Pesticide Safety Education Month, recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This program focuses on raising awareness about how to use pesticides safely in and around schools and homes. Learn more about pesticide safety in schools and share helpful resources with school communities.
On-Demand School Health Learning Courses
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) has expanded their courses for Texas educators on AFHK’s Impact Portal Learning Library. The most recent course to be added covers the School Health Index (SHI) Assessment. This course helps schools to identify strengths and weaknesses of health and safety at your school. To access the course, sign up or login to the AFHK Impact Portal.
Green Schools Conference
The Center for Green Schools is hosting their annual Green Schools Conference February 17-19 in San Diego, California. The conference aims to bring together people working to create and support green schools. It will especially focus on people who are helping their schools and systems achieve sustainability. Topics will include school gardens, indoor air quality, social and emotional health, and nutrition programs. Register at the conference webpage.
2026 Hybrid Diabetes Management Conference for School Healthcare Providers
The Texas Children’s Hospital is hosting a hybrid conference on Saturday, February 21, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. This conference is designed for school nurses, dietitians, social workers, and other health care providers who work with students with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Attendees will benefit from this event by fulfilling their continuing education requirements. To register, please visit the conference site.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is accepting applications for the America’s Healthiest Schools Award. This award is presented annually to two schools that have demonstrated remarkable efforts to prioritize the health needs of students, staff, and families. Winners will be featured in the annual America’s Healthiest Schools list and receive a digital advertising package. Complete the America’s Healthiest Schools award application by April 14, 2026.
Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators
The Texas School Safety Center is providing virtual training on Trauma Informed Care throughout Spring of 2026. This training helps participants understand how mental health affects daily life and how trauma impacts the brain. It also covers the importance of recognizing executive function deficits and how neurodiverse challenges affect student behavior. Throughout the workshop, participants will be provided with strategies that can be implemented in a school and/or classroom setting to support all learners through a trauma informed perspective. Register for the Elementary (K-5) or Secondary (6-12) training.
Helping Teens Quit Smoking
The American Lung Association has created tips to help teens understand the dangers of smoking and vaping. They also provide support for those who want to quit if they are already addicted. You can find helpful information in the Helping Quit Resource Library, available in both English and Spanish.
Implementing Unassigned Medication for Respiratory Distress Policies in Texas Schools
The University of North Texas Health Science Center and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) created a guide titled “Implementing Unassigned Medication for Respiratory Distress Policies in Texas Schools.” This guide is for school health services, administrators, and community partners. It provides steps for adopting and implementing a policy, sample policies, and answers frequently asked questions.
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.
Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin are hosting their annual Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest. Individuals and groups are invited to submit entries through March 1, 2025. The contest aims to raise awareness about mental health, challenge stigma, and allow people to express their feelings through art. For more information, including past winners, rules, and how to submit artwork, visit the Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest webpage.
Free Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care Facilities
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)’s Lead Testing in School and Child Care (LTSCC) Program is a voluntary statewide program that offers free lead testing to public schools and childcare facilities. The program’s goal is to help reduce childhood exposure to lead in drinking water. The program provides water sample kits to all enrolled schools to test every water outlet that children use for drinking, brushing teeth, or food preparation at no cost. Support is available if elevated lead levels are detected. For more information, please visit the TCEQ webpage, email info@txleadtesting.org, or call the program helpline at (737) 276- 1987.
Strategies for Building Trust with Young People
The Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) TrustEd program provides free, interactive training for educators, coaches, mentors, and community leaders who work with youth. This training helps participants build trust and have honest discussions about vaping and mental health. Trainings are available in English and Spanish virtually via Zoom or on-demand through the AFHK school portal. To view the upcoming trainings, visit the TrustEd training site.
“Happy are those who dare courageously to defend what they love.” –Ovid
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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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