Friday Beat
February 9, 2018 Edition
The newsletter that takes a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child(WSCC) approach.
Announcements
National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM)
In celebration of NCDHM, the Advancing the Oral Health Movement in Texas (ATOHMIT) Communications Workgroup is hostinga children’s oral health photo contest.The focus of theSmiles are Bigger in Texas campaign is to engage Texas schools, businesses/organizations, and residents in highlighting their efforts to promote oral health among families and communities. Photo submissions are due by February 28, 2018. Winners in each category will be awarded gift cards.
Another resource to support NCDHM is the School-Based Health AllianceOral Health Resource LibraryThe resources are organized around eight components of school oral health and designed to strengthen and expand school oral health services.
Professional Development
SNA Virtual Expo: February 6–March 16, 2018
The School Nutrition Association’s (SNA’s) second annual Virtual Expo opened thisweek, and registration is free of charge.Attendees canvisit over 30 interactive virtual exhibit booths and access over 20 pre-recorded educational sessions.
Funding Opportunities
TAAIS Memorial Foundation Asthma Scholarship Award
This is a reminder that applications for the 2018 Texas Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society (TAAIS) Memorial FoundationAsthma Scholarship Award are due by March 1. The foundation will award $1,500 to up to 3 qualified and deserving high school seniors in Texas who suffer from asthma. To learn more about the scholarship and download an application, please visit the TAAIS website.
Get Out and Grow School Garden Sweepstakes
Smucker Away from Home, Inc. will be drawing schools entered into the Get Out and Grow School GardenSweepstakes to receive three levels of cash awards for building or improving a school garden. To enter your K-12 school into the drawing, the school administrator or foodservice director must submit thebrief online entry form by March 11, 2018.
Health Education
Rocket Blades App Available for Android and Amazon
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HEADS UP Rocket Blades mobile game application is now available for Android and Amazon devices, in addition to the original iOS/Apple version. Rocket Bladesteaches children aged 6-8 about concussion safety andmay be downloadedat no costfrom the CDC website.
Physical Education Physical Activity
Increased Physical Activity and Improved Academic Performance
The Active Schools Minnesota study boosted physical activity in 14 elementary schools over 3 years. In addition to enhancing physical education programs and recess, schools added classroom movement breaks and before- and after-school activities.
Nutrition Environment & Services
Food Insecurity and Student Behavior
This brief highlights research on the connections between food insecurity and behavior, and the critical role that the Federal Nutrition Programs play when addressing these issues among school-age children and adolescents.
Download the five-page research brief from the Food Research & Action Center(FRAC) website.
FRAC Summer Nutrition Program Eligibility Mappers
Also accessible on the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) website is theSummer Food Mapper and instructions for its use.This interactive map identifies areas that qualify as summer food or seamless summer sites through census data. The tool allows users to explore other demographics, including median income, race, English as a Second Language, and housing information.
Health Services
The CDC Virtual Healthy School Tool
The CDC Virtual Healthy School (VHS) is an online, interactive tool that illustrates the multiple dimensions that contribute to a healthy school environment.Tour the VHS to learn about SBHCs and more.
Social Emotional Climate
Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Research
Download a 14-page whitepaper to learn about research related to PBIS (positive behavioral reinforcement) and its effect on school climate. “The Positive School Culture Inventory™ (PSCI™): Purpose, Rationale, and Development” describes the analysis of digitally-logged student behaviors at 645 schools over a 7–year period.
Physical Environment
Green Schools Conference & Expo (GSCE)—May 3-4, 2018
The GSCE will be hosted in partnership with Rocky Mountain Green, in Denver, Colorado. Early bird registration ends March 2. This conference brings together the three groups needed to make green schools a success: academic; operations; and building design/construction.
Family Engagement
Healthy Family Events and Celebrations Webinar—February 14, 2018
At 3:00-3:30 p.m. CST, Action for Healthy Kids(AFHK) will present this month’s installment of its Wellness WednesdayWebinar series.The AFHK will share examples of how schools are using community events to focus attention on healthy lifestyles.
Webinar: Rock School Health Like a Boss—February 15, 2018
At12:00-1:00 p.m. CST, Parents for Healthy Kids will host this webinar. Attendees will be provided with information and resources from the National PTA for use in working with school administrators and school boards to promote a healthylearning environment.
Quote to Note
“Never tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”
—Anonymous
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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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