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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.
Application Deadline Tonight, April 24: Members Sought for the Stock Epinephrine Advisory Committee
The Stock Epinephrine Advisory Committee (SEAC) was created by Texas Education Code, Section 38.202, and examines and reviews the administration of epinephrine delivery systems to a person experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, and the administration of medication for respiratory distress to a person experiencing respiratory distress on a campus of a school district, an open-enrollment charter school, a private school, or an institution of higher education.
DSHS is currently accepting applications for membership on the SEAC for the following positions:
- Practicing nurse employed by a school district, open-enrollment charter school, or private school as a school nurse (2 vacancies)
- Practicing nurse employed by a rural school district, open-enrollment charter school, or private school as a school nurse (1 vacancy)
- An employee from a general academic teaching institution as defined in Education Code, Section 61.003 (1 vacancy)
Interested applicants should visit the SEAC webpage to complete the application and upload supporting materials (e.g., resumé and recommendation letter) online.
DSHS must receive your application before 11:59 p.m. CST, April 24, 2026. DSHS will notify applicants if they have been selected to serve as a member by August 2026.
For more information, visit the SEAC webpage, contact the School Health Program at SchoolHealth@dshs.texas.gov or call 512-776-7279.
School Lunch Hero Day is May 1, 2026
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) celebrates School Lunch Hero Day on the first Friday of May each year. Every school day, nutrition staff create menus and prepare meals that meet nutrition standards while accommodating student food allergies. School Lunch Hero Day recognizes the hard work of school nutrition staff and their commitment to promoting a healthy future for children. Be sure to explore the TDA resources available for schools to use in celebrating their nutrition staff.
Statewide Facilitation for Out of School Time
Action for Healthy Kids is hosting a webinar on Out of School Time on May 6 at 9:00 a.m. This webinar will provide an overview of how out of school time affects student health, safety, and academic achievement. Be sure to register for the webinar by May 5.
On-Demand School Health Learning Courses
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) offers five free online courses specifically designed for Texas educators. These courses cover important topics including School Health Advisory Committees (SHACs), Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP), School Wellness Policies, Unassigned Medications, and School Health Index Assessment. To access these courses, sign up or login to the AFHK webpage.
Training, Education, Assistance, Mentorship, and Support (TEAMS) Online Course
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developed the TEAMS program to help school districts improve their health services team. The TEAMS Online Course is a practical guide for this improvement process. Please note that the course should be completed by a team made up of the school district's lead nurse or health service coordinator, a local health department partner, and a physician partner. Please share this resource with school staff and community members.
Food Allergy Management in Schools
The AAP is hosting a free virtual session titled “Food Allergy Management in Schools “Ask the Expert”” aimed at individuals involved in school health. This session will explore the newly released AAP clinical report on Food Allergy Management in Schools. Participants will receive a brief overview of the report and time for live Q&A. Register on the webinar webpage.
Youth School Safety Virtual Summit
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is hosting a Youth School Safety Virtual Summit on May 1 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. During this event, the Texas School Safety Teen Ambassadors will discuss the topic of teen mental health. By the end of the summit, students will have a better understanding of what mental health is and what they can do to take care of themselves and others. Register students on the TxSSC webpage.
CATCH Rural Texas H-E-B Sponsorship
CATCH Global Foundation is partnering with H-E-B to provide free trainings and lessons to K-8 schools in rural Texas. This program aims to help children develop their education and social skills. Participating schools will receive a digital license valid for three years and one training from the list on the Sponsorship Interest Form for teachers.
Statewide Healthy Play Initiative
Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAP), in collaboration with PlayCore, GameTime, and Cunningham Recreation, has launched the Statewide Healthy Play Initiative to enhance the quality of life in communities across Texas. Join one of the free regional workshops to learn about the latest research and best practices for designing outdoor play spaces for people of all ages and abilities. Information will also be provided on the funding support program that helps Texas communities put research into practice and build impactful parks and playgrounds. To register for a training session and learn more about this program, visit the program webpage.
Preventing Childhood Obesity: 6 Things Families Can Do
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on the various causes of childhood obesity, which includes genetics, eating habits, physical activity, and sleep patterns. To help children maintain a healthy weight and develop healthy habits, the CDC recommends six strategies for parents and caregivers. Families can eat healthy meals together, be more active as a group, stick to regular sleeping schedules, and spend less time on screens and more time with each other. Families can find additional resources online to help establish healthy habits at home.
Naloxone Locator Map
The Texas Overdose Data to Action (TODA) program has developed a free Naloxone Locator Map. The online map includes a search bar where visitors can type in an address or zip code to see nearby naloxone locations. For each site, the map provides details such as the type of location (e.g. community health clinics, recovery support services, vending machines), along with their hours, phone number, website, and more. To learn more about TODA, read the full press release and utilize the interactive map to find a location near you. For additional information or questions, email TODA@dshs.texas.gov.
Restorative Discipline Practices
The Texas Education Agency is offering Restorative Discipline Practices (RDP) Training through an online video series. This series is designed to empower parents with effective communication techniques and restorative practices at home. The goal is to create consistency between home environments and the restorative approaches being taught in schools, providing a cohesive and supportive experience for children. Additional lesson plans and resources can be found on the TEA webpage.
5-Week Guides for Creating a Caring School Community
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation created the 5-Week Guides to help educators create positive relationships and build a caring and supportive school community. These curriculums are organized by grade-level and provide educators with resources to create a caring, supportive in-person and/or virtual school environment. Access the guides to learn how schools can support staff, students, and families to build a caring school community.
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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