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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.
2025-2026 Annual School Health Survey
The 2025-2026 Annual School Health Survey is now open for school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas. This survey helps the Texas Education Agency collect information about school health and physical activity. Schools must complete the 2025-2026 survey by 5:00 p.m. on May 29, 2026. For questions related to the survey, please email healthandsafety@tea.texas.gov.
Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest
The National Eye Institute (NIE) is hosting the Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest, where high school teens can submit a video on their own or in a group of up to three. Videos must be between thirty seconds to three minutes long and fit into one of the three categories: Science in your world, science in action, or science in your future. The last day to submit a video is April 19, 2026. For more information and examples from past winners, visit the NIE webpage.
On-Demand School Health Learning Courses
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) has extended their online on-demand 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 identify strengths and weaknesses of health and safety at your school. To access the course, sign up or login to the AFHK Impact Portal.
Every Kid Healthy Week Mini-Grant Opportunity
Every Kid Healthy Week is an annual celebration of school health and wellness achievements. Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) is hosting a $1,000 grant opportunity for schools and districts April 20-24, 2026. All registered schools and districts will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of three $1,000 mini-grants to expand future whole-child health efforts. Winners are selected through a random drawing. Schools and districts can register on the AFHK webpage.
America’s Healthiest Schools Award
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is accepting applications for the America’s Healthiest Schools Award. This award is an annual distinction presented to schools that have demonstrated remarkable efforts to prioritize 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 15, 2026. View this post from Pasadena ISD, one of the recently awarded schools.
Texas Say What! Action Summit Registration
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) STX Say What! is hosting their annual Say What! Action summits this spring. The summits use service learning to train 6th through 12th grade students in effective tobacco prevention activities aimed at reducing the harmful effects of tobacco, nicotine, and e-cigarette use in Texas. Each summit includes a local community action event that each participant will receive community service hours for. The next in-person summit will be held on March 28, 2026, at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. View summit dates and register.
Brain Injury Awareness Month
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. The Brain Injury Association of America and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission offer resources to raise awareness about traumatic brain injury and prevention. Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s resource HEADS UP to Schools to complete online concussion training for school professionals.
Substitute Teacher Information Form for Supporting Students with Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association has a new Substitute Teacher Information Form. This form helps share important information about students with diabetes. This resource highlights symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, explains the use of electronics as medical devices, and shares other key details from the Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP). To learn more about this resource, visit Training Resources for Schools.
Clean Air School Challenge
The American Lung Association (ALA) is leading a free program for all K-12 schools nationwide called the Clean Air School Challenge (CASC). Schools are invited to participate and take meaningful steps to improve indoor air quality and create healthier learning environments for students and staff. The CASC is an engagement and recognition program empowering K-12 schools nationwide to assess their indoor air quality (IAQ) and develop Energy Efficient IAQ Management Plans. ALA is hosting an information session on April 16, 2026 from 12:00 - 12:30 pm. For more information and to explore the benefits of signing up schools in the CASC, visit the CASC Portal to get started. Questions can be directed to CASC@Lung.org.
Teen Depression and Autism: Unique Challenges, Effective Strategies for Support
Families for Depression Awareness is offering a free webinar on April 30, 2026 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. CT. This webinar will explore the relationship between depression and autism in teens. Presenters will share practical ways to assess and treat these issues while considering sensory needs and communication styles. Participants will learn practical approaches to support teen mental health, including building positive identity and developing personalized emotional recognition tools. Register for the live webinar discussion or watch on-demand after it airs.
Tips for Taking Screen Breaks
Alliance for a Healthier Generation shared 10 Tips for Taking Screen Breaks for parents and caregivers. While computers, televisions, and phones can be helpful, it is important to take regular breaks from the screens. This resource offers ways to balance screen time with physical activity and strengthen family connections.
School Safety Spotlight Awards
The TxSSC’s School Safety Spotlight Awards recognizes individuals and schools that create innovative programs to improve school safety. TxSSC recognizes the efforts of schools and districts that make a difference in their communities by implementing effective safety measures and violence prevention strategies. Nominations are being accepted for the spring semester in the following five categories:
- Collaborative Community Partnerships
- Outstanding Individual Service
- Positive Climate Programs
- Staff Development and Training
- Student-Led Groups or Programs
Nominations for the spring will be accepted through March 31, 2026.
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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