FORT WORTH ISD WINS STATE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE 

Fort Worth, Texas - The Fort Worth Independent School District has been chosen as a recipient of the 2008-2009 Awards of Excellence for local School Health Advisory Councils (SHAC’s). This award, given by the Southern Collaborative on Obesity Reduction Efforts (SCORE) team members and state leaders, highlights those districts that have shown excellence and effectiveness in their work.  

Other award recipients are the El Paso Independent School District (ISD), Fort Bend ISD, La Porte ISD and San Antonio’s Northside ISD.  

SHACs are councils, appointed by the local school board, that are tasked with assisting their district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district's health education instruction. They recommend the number of hours of instruction to be designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes through the coordination of health education; physical education and physical activity; nutrition services; parental involvement; and the prevention of tobacco use.  

It also provides recommendations about the appropriate curriculum and instructional methods to be used when teaching about human sexuality. Additionally, SHACs tackle strategies for integrating certain curriculum components 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; and (D) school employee wellness. Texas law regarding SHACs can be found in Title 2, Chapter 28, Section 28.004 of the Texas Education Code at http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm.  

The Fort Worth ISD SHAC Web site is http://itweb.fortworthisd.net/hpe/SHAC/SHAC.htm. For additional information about the SHAC contact Georgia Roberts, FWISD Director of PE & Health at georgi.roberts@fwisd.org. 

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