• School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
     
     
     
     
     
     
    What is a School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)?
     
    The Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 28, Section (SEC) §28.004  requires every independent school district to have a School Health Advisory Council (SHAC).  SHAC is a group of individuals representing segments of the community, appointed by the school district to serve at the district level, to provide advice to the district on coordinated school health programming and its impact on student health and learning.
     
    Members
     
    SHAC members are appointed from various groups. The groups include:
     
    District employed teachers                                        District employed school administrators.                 
    District Students                                                        District employed counselors                                   
    Health Care professionals                                         Business Community
    Law Enforcement                                                      Senior Citizens                                                           
    Clergy                                                                        Nonprofit Health Organization                                   
    Local domestic violence program                              Or a representative from another group 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.  
     
    • Recommend the number of instructional hours to be provided:
      • K-8th Health education
      • Mental Health education (9-12)
      • If the school district requires health education for high school graduation, health education, including physical health education (9-12)
    • Recommend policies, procedures, strategies, and curriculum appropriate for specific grade levels 
      • to prevent physical health concerns (including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes)
      • Mental Health concerns
     
    For more information regarding GISD SHAC, please contact the central office at 830-672-9551.