I wanted to raise awareness of this council. We are a local voice to the school board. Please feel free to let me know if you would like something presented to the council for discussion.

1. Lewisville ISD
School Health Advisory Councils
Welcome
Stephanie Gage, Director of Health Services
Sheila Gardner, Health and Physical Education Coordinator
Alesia Dick, SHAC Secretary
1

2. Goal and Objectives
Empower You to Help Your School District Have
an Exemplary School Health Advisory Council
1
Understand
the value of
a SHAC
2
Understand
the of the law
3
Provide best practices:
•Recruitment
•Organization
•Effectiveness
4
Provide
practical
information,
resources,
and
strategies
2

3. Introductions
••
••
••
Name
Name
Your Profession
Your Profession
The School Your Child
The School Your Child
Attends
Attends
•• What Interested You
What Interested You
About Being A Part of
About Being A Part of
SHAC
SHAC
4

4. School Health Advisory Councils
Why They Make
A Difference
5

5. WHY is School Health SO Important?
Education and health are inseparable;
students can be taught good health habits
and healthy kids learn better.
Healthy Kids Miss Less School.
Healthy Kids Present Fewer Behavior
Problems.
Healthy Kids Have Better Attitudes.
Healthy Kids Stay In School.
6

6. Why Is School Health So Important?
Youth who feel connected to their
families and schools are healthier and
less likely to get into trouble.
When parents are involved in schools,
learning, behavior and attitudes improve.
7

7. In the old days…
In the old days we had PE every day.
In the old days everyone ate in the cafeteria.
In the old days there were no soda and snack
machines in school.
In the old days we worried about polio and
measles, now we worry about diabetes and
STDs.
8

8. s
m Reported by Teachers
le
in the 40’s
ob
Pr
Talking/Chewing gum
Making noise
Running in the halls
Out of place in line
Improper clothing
Not using wastebasket
Messy locker
Holding hands
Reported by Teachers
Today
Drug/Alcohol abuse
Pregnancy
Suicide
Rape
Robbery
Assault
Arson
Bombing
9

9. Youth Risk Behaviors
 Tobacco Use
 Poor Food Choices and Inappropriate Portion
Sizes
 Inadequate Physical Activity
 Alcohol and Drug Use
 Sexual Behaviors That Can Transmit HIV and
other STD’s
 Unintended Pregnancy
 Intentional and Unintentional Injuries, Often
Due to Violence
10

10. The problems caused by these behaviors
reduce children’s school attendance and
success.
Education and health are linked
Schools alone cannot address all the
health needs of children, BUT…
11

11. Schools can provide a focal point
for preventing or reducing risky
health behaviors and for
promoting healthy ones.
12

12. To find at risk children,
simply look for a child.
With violence, drugs, alcohol, tobacco,
poverty, HIV, lack of physical activity and
poor nutrition --all our children are at risk.
13

13. Promote Healthy Behaviors
Refusal Skills
Decision Making
Goal Setting
Communication
Healthy Relationship
Building
 Interest in Alternative
Health Promotion
Activities





14

14. National Trends Adults
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2008
(*BMI ≥30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)
1999
1990
2008
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
20%–24%
25%–29%
≥30%
15

15. National Trends in Child Overweight
16

16. Rate of Childhood Overweight-Texas
Overweight
At Risk for
Overweight
4th Grade
23%
19%
8th Grade
20%
19%
11th Grade
19%
17%
•Table 2. Prevalence of overweight1 and at-risk-of overweight2 in Texas
school-age children between 2004 and 2005
17

17. For the first time in history, the
adolescent population is less
healthy than its parents were at
the same age.
18

18. WHAT HAS THIS GOT TO DO
WITH US?
If you aren’t part of the solution,
you are part of the problem!
We need strong, informed
leadership in our schools to truly
have an impact.
You care and you are here!
19

19. Concerns About School Health
Funding is limited, but this is an
opportunity to look at what is in
place and what can be improved.
There are funding sources for
new ideas to improve children’s
health.
20

20. Concerns About School Health
A truly coordinated school health
plan can actually take less time
overall because it reduces
duplication of efforts.
21

21. Concerns About School Health
The needs and concerns of youth
and their families has changed
and schools need to change to
meet those needs.
22

22. What is a School Health Advisory
Council (SHAC)
A SHAC is a group of individuals representative
of segments of the community, appointed by the
school district to serve at the district level.
They provide advice on coordinated school
health programming and its impact on student
health and learning.
A SHAC provides recommendations that impact
the entire school district.
23

23. A History of SHACs
24

24. History of SHAC
Session 1
Session 1
Human
Sexuality
Only
Session 2
Session 2
Health
Education
Only
Session 3
Session 3
Coordinated
School
Health
25

25. SHAC Roles and Responsibilities
• Every school district must have a SHAC
• They should focus on the district not individual
campuses
• The make recommendations to the school
board
• They do not have legal authority
• The members must be a majority of parents
and community leaders along with a few
school district personnel
• SHACs have certain restrictions by law
26

26. Many Sources for Members
Government Officials
Interested Parents
Public Media
School Personnel
Law Enforcement
Civic Organizations
Colleges/Universities
Faith-based Institutions
Youth Groups
Public Health Agencies
Volunteer Health Agencies
Medical Professionals
Business/Industry
27

27. Key Duties
• Recommend the number of hours of health
education instruction
• Recommend curriculum appropriate for specific
grade levels
• Recommend appropriate grade levels and
methods of human sexuality instruction
• Recommend strategies for integrating the
curriculum components into other elements of a
school district
28

28. Common Responsibilities
Most commonly includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Program planning
Promotion and advocacy
Consideration of fiscal impact
District and state agency interaction
School Board interaction
Evaluation, accountability and
Quality Control
29

29. Coordinated School Health Model
30

30. Developing Strategic Plans
31

31. Continuous Quality Improvement
The Journey
Starts Here
We Are Here
Recruit
Organize
Evaluate
SHAC Cycle
Assess
Plan
Implement
32

32. Major Objective
A SHAC should always keep in mind
that their major objective is to
develop recommendations for
improving coordinated school health
policies and practices for their
school board to consider.
33

33. Complimentary Actions
School Board
and
School Superintendent
Issue
School Health Advisory
Council
Actions:
Do an
assessment using
the School
Health Index
•Assign member to project
team
•Get PTA to survey parents
•Analyze results
•Present report to school
board
Internal School Health
Action Team
Actions:
•Assign representative from
each dept. to project team
•Distributes survey to faculty
•Summarize results and draft
report
34

34. The Ultimate Objective
By affecting school policies, a SHAC can
ensure that school health practices are
improved and are sustained so that all
children who attend school in LISD
receive the benefits of coordinated school
health.
The only legal authority to adopt a local
school policy is the school board. SHACs
can only make recommendations.
35

35. Getting Policy Adopted
Five Basic Steps
Five Basic Steps
36

36. 1.
Lay the Groundwork
• Clarify the need
• Clarify the objective
• Review the policy development process
for your school district
• Collect information
• Brainstorm concrete activities or
programs
• Write a policy proposal
• Become familiar with local dynamics
• Devise an appropriate strategy
• Respect the hierarchy
• Do not expect quick or easy victories
37

37. 2.
Build Awareness and Support
• Involve those affected by the policy
• Involve school health supporting
organizations in the community
• Involve people from a variety of
community groups.
• Anticipate, respond to, and involve
critics
• Apply communication strategies as
needed
38

38. 3.
Draft the Policy
• Bring the policy proposal to the attention
of the decision-making body.
• Review policy options and legal
parameters.
• Stay focused on the “big picture.”
• Draft the policy language that is simple,
clear, specific, and accurate.
39

39. 4.
Adopt the Policy
• Present the policy
recommendations to the school
board.
• Use a well respected and known
person to present a persuasive
case.
• Support the school board in the
decision-making process.
40

40. 5.
Administer the Policy
• This is largely the role of
administration, however, SHACs can
assist in developing implementation
guidelines.
• Support the administration by
providing positive community
support.
• Ensure that the effort is maintained.
41

41. Great Resources
42

42. Questions and Answers
43

43. Next Meeting:
January 25, 2010
Meeting Topics:
1. FitnessGram
2. Legislation
3. Committee Report
44

44. Thank You for Participating
Please complete the
Please complete the
questionnaire.
questionnaire.
Have a save and pleasant
Have a save and pleasant
journey home.
journey home.
Best wishes in your efforts to
Best wishes in your efforts to
improve school health in
improve school health in
Lewisville ISD.
Lewisville ISD.
45