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 can help districts meet performance goals and alleviate financial constraints. 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.  

If you are a parent and wish to join SHAC, email me at gaskinsl@buffaloisd.net

Stacey Gaskin RN – SHAC Coordinator
Megan Davis - Upper Junior High Health Aide
Betty Pizzitola - Lower Junior High Nurse
Amanda Whittlesey - High School Health Aide
Debbie Read - High School Counselor
Kaylen Page - Parent, Nurse
Allison Self - Parent, Nurse
Trisha Gilliam - Parent, Nurse
Michelle Robinson, Parent, Nurse Practitioner
Mandy Scott - Parent, Local Business Owner
 

SHAC Guide

SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SHAC)

Why do we have a SHAC?
Title 2, Chapter 28, Section 28.004 of the Texas Education Code requires school districts to establish School Health Advisory Council to assist the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district's health education instruction.

What is the role of the SHAC?
The Buffalo ISD SHAC serves as an advisory council which provides recommendations, changes and/or additions to the school's health education curriculum and instruction for consideration by the Buffalo ISD Board of Trustees.

The council will look at and discuss issues and concerns that impact the entire district,

Responsibilities include:

Ensuring that local community values are reflected in Buffalo ISD's health education instruction
Fielding health education concerns from the community and bring them to a SHAC meeting for discussion
Providing leadership for health education concerns
Serving the Buffalo ISD Board of Education and submitting recommendations to the Board as needed.

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 coordination of:

A. health education
B. physical education and physical activity
C. parental involvement
D. instruction to prevent the use of tobacco

Appropriate grade levels and methods of instruction for human sexuality instruction; and strategies for integrating the curriculum with the following elements in a coordinated school health program for the district:

A. school health services
B. counseling and guidance services
C. a safe and healthy school environment
D. school employee wellness