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What is a School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)?
A School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is a group appointed by the school district to serve at the district level. Members of the SHAC come from different areas of the community and from within the school district. The majority of members must be parents who are not employed by the district. Texas law (Texas Education Code, Title 2, Subtitle F, Chapter 28, Subchapter A, §28.004) requires the establishment of a SHAC for every school district. SHACs are required to meet at least four times each year.
SHACs assist the districts in ensuring that local community values are reflected in health education instruction. Additionally, SHACs play an important role in strengthening the connection between health and learning. They can help parents and community stakeholders reinforce the knowledge and skills children need to stay healthy for a lifetime.
Members
SHAC members from various groups are appointed and school-board approved. The groups can include:- GISD Parents
- GISD Teachers
- GISD School Adminstrators
- GISD Students
- GISD Counselors
- Health Care Professionals
- Business/Community Members
- Law Enforcement
- Clergy
- Non-profit Health Organization
- Any Representative from Other Groups Not Listed Above
Responsibilities
SHAC suggests policy recommendations to the school board on a wide variety of issues regarding student health in district curriculum. SHACs provide an efficient, effective structure for creating and implementing age-appropriate, sequential health education programs, and early intervention and prevention strategies that can easily be supported by local families and community stakeholders.Related Links
For any additional information or questions about the GISD SHAC, please contact Erin Lindemann-LaBuhn, GISD Executive Director of State and Federal Programs at (830) 672-9551 or Janelle Lester, Methodist Healthcare Ministries Wesley Nurse, at (830) 672-1031.
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