SHAC: School Health Advisory Council
Goals
GOAL 1 – To have an active SHAC – accountability for SHAC meetings.
GOAL 2 – To assist the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district’s health education instruction.
GOAL 3 – To provide recommendations to the board of trustees regarding all eight components of a coordinated school health program.
GOAL 4 – To become familiar with the responsibilities of the SHAC. Duties include recommending:
The number of hours of instruction to be provided in health education.
Curriculum appropriate for specific grade levels designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes through the coordination of:
health education
physical education and physical activity
nutrition
parental involvement
instruction to prevent the use of tobacco
Appropriate grade levels and methods of instruction for human sexuality instruction
Strategies for intergrading the curriculum
What is SHAC?
We would like to invite a representative of your organization to be a member of the La Joya ISD School Health Advisory Council. Input from our community regarding the education, health, and wellbeing of our students is essential. Below is a brief description of the School Heath Advisory Council. Our council meets four times a year. For your information I have included the 2019-2020 meeting schedule dates. Please call me or email and let me know at your earliest convenience the name of the person that will be representing your organization. We look forward to hearing from you.
What is SHAC?
A School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), sometimes called “School Health Team” or “Wellness Council” is a group of individuals who represent both school and community. This group acts collectively to provide advice on aspects of the school health policies and programs. SHAC can advise a local education agency (district) or an individual school site (elementary, middle, or high school). To meet the federal requirements, school districts must include the following stakeholders to be part of the process:
Parents Students School board
School food representatives School administrators Community members
What does a SHAC do?
A SHAC can have a variety of roles, depending on how it is used by the school or school district. Members of the SHAC work together to give advice and support to all parts of school health programs and policies. This includes addressing the eight components of coordinated school health that include:
Health Education Physical Education Mental Health & Social Services
Health Services Nutrition Services Family & Community Involvement
Staff Wellness Healthy & Safe Environment
How can I help to improve the health of La Joya students?
As people become more aware of the concerns about the health problems of children and youth, they naturally turn to their schools for solutions. However, the most troubling problems cannot be solved by schools alone. Experience has shown that when schools involve parents and other partners from the community, the responsibility is shared and many difficult problems can be successfully addressed.
Why is health important for La Joya schools?
The academic success of La Joya ISD students is strongly linked with their health. Active, happy, healthy, and well-nourished youth are more likely to attend school, be engaged in the classroom and be ready to learn. Yet, an overwhelming number of students come to school with numerous health problems. Issues such as hunger, physical and emotional abuse, and chronic disease can lead to poor school performance.
“Schools by themselves cannot solve health and social problems. However, schools have a critical role to play in partnership with the community agencies and organizations to improve the health and wellbeing of young people… [A School Health Advisory Council] brings together school administrators, teachers, other staff, students, families, and community members to assess health needs; set priorities; and plan, implement, and evaluate school health activities.”- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
School Health Advisory Council Meetings
Date | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
September 24, 2019 | La Joya Room | 9:00am to 10:00am |
November 19, 2019 | La Joya Room | 9:00am to 10:00am |
January 21, 2020 | Tabasco Room | 9:00am to 10:00am |
March 24, 2020 | Athletic Office | 9:00am to 10:00am |
Any questions please call Ezequiel Ortiz at 956-323-2031 or Email e.ortiz@lajoyaisd.net