Friday Beat
December 22, 2017 Edition
The newsletter that takes a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) approach.
Announcements
Resources to Fight the Flu
With flu-like illness on the rise, Texans can find the most up-to-date information on TexasFlu.org. On this website, there is a “Schools/Childcare Facilities” link in the left navigation bar. By clicking on this link, you have access to resources specific to schools from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here are two that may be particularly helpful: Information for Schools: Questions and Answers (see “Flu Resources for Schools” section) and How to Clean and Disinfect Schools.
Voices for Healthy Kids (VHK) 2017 Progress Report
The VHK Progress Report takes a behind-the-scenes look at campaigns to increase health equity, improve access to healthy foods and physical activity, and improve the places where families live, learn, work, and play. In the report Making Each Day Healthier for All Children, both the State of Texas and the City of Austin are featured.
Professional Development
SNA Virtual Expo: February 6–March 16, 2018
Registration opens on January 3 for the School Nutrition Association’s (SNA’s) second annual Virtual Expo. Please check back with the SNA website on or after this date to register free of charge. At the Expo, you can earn continuing education by accessing over 20 pre-recorded educational sessions.
Funding Opportunities
EmPOWERED to Serve™ Scholarship Fund
The American Heart Association will award $1,500 each to 5 students who are actively seeking to improve the health of their communities by addressing the social determinants of health. Recipients must be 18 years or older and either a high school senior or a full-time college student during the spring 2018 semester. Others may nominate students. Applications are due by January 2, 2018. Please refer to the EmPOWERED to Serve website for submission requirements.
SuperFit School Challenge
The SuperFit School Challenge is a fundraising partnership with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) that engages students and their communities in healthy behaviors while also helping schools meet their fundraising goals. The SuperFit School Challenge features an interactive obstacle course, combining fun and fitness for profitable fundraising. Join AFHK for a webinar on January 10, 2018, at 3:00-3:30 p.m. CST to learn more about the program.
The Purpose Challenge—Deadline: February 1, 2018
The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley has launched the Purpose Challenge. The central hub for the Purpose Challenge includes a purpose “toolkit,” an essay contest submission portal, and other resources. The Challenge is open to high school seniors, who can use the essay contest to improve their college admissions essays. College scholarships of up to $25,000 are available. See the Official Rules.
Health Education
Mindful versus Mindless Eating
This Science News for Students (SNS) article is appropriate for sharing with students because it has a 7th-grade readability score, a glossary (Power Words) at the end, and an associated Wordfind. Mindful eating is a behavioral approach to weight maintenance, as opposed to one based strictly on nutrition and physical activity.
Physical Education Physical Activity
Podcast: Jump Rope for Heart/Hoops for Heart (JRFH/HFH)
This Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) podcast features JRFH and HFH state coordinators. They explain how JRFH/HFH can benefit your health and physical education program, your students, and your school.
Nutrition Environment & Services
USDA Accepting Public Comments on Interim Final Rule
At the end of November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the interim final rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements. This rule will extend current regulatory flexibility for school meal programs through the 2018-2019 school year. The public may submit comments on the interim rule until January 29, 2018.
Health Services
Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress (PMTS) Toolkit
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) offers this toolkit for health care providers to help them effectively assess and treat medical traumatic stress in children and families. Handouts for parents and kids (in English and Spanish) are included that present evidence-based tips for coping.
Employee Wellness
Visualizing Food Servings
The Penn State Hershey Medical Center developed interactive infographics showing the size of standard food servings relative to common objects. During the holiday break, practice being a healthy role model for kids by choosing reasonable portions and focusing on your food while you eat.
Community Involvement
Community Policing and Supporting Youth with Mental Health Needs
This brief Children’s Bureau Express article introduces the webisode Diverting to Treatment. The hour-long webisode, created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), looks at developments related to crisis intervention training (CIT) and the shift in law enforcement and community perceptions. The goal of CIT is to decrease violence and unnecessary arrests while improving access to mental health services. One of the professionals featured in the webisode is a police captain and supervisor of school resource officers.
Texas Parks Allow Inclusivity in Play
This article in The New York Times describes how two unique parks in San Antonio offer children and adults with physical impairments the opportunity to engage in activities typically not allowed at adventure parks.
Quote to Note
“The spirit of man is more important than mere physical strength, and the spiritual fiber of a nation than its wealth.”
— Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. president
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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 or call (512) 776-7279.
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