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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. It is edited and compiled by the School Health Program.
Updated Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has updated the Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies at Risk for Anaphylaxis. According to the Education Code, Section 38.0151, each school district and open-enrollment charter school must adopt and administer a policy for the care of students with diagnosed food allergies at risk for anaphylaxis. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools must review their policies to ensure consistency with the DSHS guidelines.
Heat Safety Awareness Day – May 31
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) observes Heat Safety Awareness Day on May 31. Their Heat and Infants and Children webpage shares information to keep infants and children safe as temperatures rise. Share with students and families before the summer break.
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month is focused on taking care of mental health. The Youth School Safety Program created a presentation for teens that explores common challenges teens face and teaches healthy coping strategies. It also encourages students to have supportive conversations with each other, teachers, and school communities. View the variety of resources to help students in middle and high school build healthy coping skills, start meaningful conversations, and promote positive mental health.
ESC 4 Nurse Summer Conference
Education Service Center Region 4 (ESC 4) is hosting their inaugural School Nurse Summer Conference on July 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Houston This conference is designed to sharpen clinical skills and leadership alike, with sessions covering School Nursing documentation, an Emergency Care tabletop exercise, and a specialized Leadership Pathway. Topics include migraines, blood disorders (hemophilia), and human trafficking awareness. Attendees can earn up to 4.25 NCPD credits while networking with peers. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To register, visit the ESC 4 webpage.
On-Demand School Health Learning Courses
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) offers five free online courses 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.
School Safety Grant Finder Tool
SchoolSafety.gov was created to share actionable recommendations to keep school communities safe. Use this Grant Finder Tool to find funding opportunities to promote school safety.
Youth Substance Use Prevention Strategies for K-12 Schools
SchoolSafety.gov released a new issue brief on preventing substance use among youth. This brief provides clear strategies to help K-12 schools support the safety and well-being of students. It provides an overview of youth substance use and suggests proven ways schools can prevent, reduce, and respond to substance use among students. The brief also includes useful resources, such as guides, toolkits, and lesson plans, to support comprehensive, school-based prevention and response efforts.
2025-2026 Physical Fitness Assessment Deadline June 12
Texas Education Code Section 38.101 to Section 38.104 requires schools to annually assess and submit student physical fitness data for students enrolled in grades 3-12. For the 2025-2026 school year, districts and charter schools may submit their data through one of three options: FitnessGram®, the Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative (PFAI), or other vendor collection tool. Detailed guidance documents and a data upload template are posted on the Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative webpage under the Announcements heading. The deadline for submitting data this school year is June 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Family Health and Fitness Day 2026
The National Recreation and Park Association recognizes the second Saturday in June as Family Health and Fitness Day. On June 13, help promote the importance of parks and recreation activities in keeping communities healthy and active by participating in the event. Visit the Family Health and Fitness Day webpage for resources on health and wellness benefits of parks and recreation.
North Texas Food Bank Kids Camp
The North Texas Food Bank is hosting its third annual Kids Camp at the North Texas Food Bank Perot Family Campus in Plano. The day camp is designed to empower kids ages 8-11 to understand and fight hunger in their neighborhood. Campers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the North Texas Food Bank and participate in activities related to preventing hunger, gardening, and nutrition. See camp dates, learn more about activities, and register to participate on the Kids Camp webpage.
Junior Master Gardener Trainings
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Junior Master Gardener program are hosting trainings sessions over the summer on their Learn, Grow, Eat, Go program. This interdisciplinary curriculum combines academic achievement, gardening, nutrient dense food experiences, physical activity, and school/family engagement.
Electronic Eye Charts
On February 9, 2026, the DSHS Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Program updated rules to allow electronic eye charts for distance visual acuity screening, following House Bill 1297, 88th Legislature, 2023. Electronic eye charts are an optional choice to traditional wall eye charts. Facilities must follow manufacturer guidelines. DSHS does not endorse specific brands. Review Texas Administrative Code, Rule 37.22 (11) for more information.
How Right Now Campaign
Action for Healthy Kids is partnering with the CDC Foundation’s How Right Now (HRN) Teacher’s campaign. The campaign aims to provide support to public school teachers for K-12 and school staff who are going through high levels of stress, burnout, and grief. Explore the available HRN resources and share them with teachers and school staff.
After High School: Talking with Your Young Adult about Underage Drinking
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers resources to address underage alcohol use. This fact sheet is intended to help parents talk to their young adults about the risks of underage drinking. It is also available in Spanish. View more related resources on the SAMHSA webpage.
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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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