School Health Advisory Council
The Port Arthur Independent School District has established an advisory council to advise the school board and assist the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district’s health education plan. The advisory council will advise and support the school’s effort to assess their needs to become healthy, productive citizens.
Responsibility for the physical, emotional, social, mental, and intellectual health of our youth belongs to their families and the entire community. Effective coordinated school health programs can contribute to helping young people avoid health risks by increasing their skills to make responsible choices about behaviors that can affect their health.
Calendar of Meetings
- September 16, 2024
- November 18, 2024
- February 17, 2025
- May 12, 2025
Virtual Meetings will be held via Google Meet at 3:15 pm
9/16/24 - Port Arthur ISD SHAC Meeting Summary
Dr. Denita Jones, Supervisor of Student Support Services, opened the first SHAC meeting of the 2024-2025 school year by outlining the council's purpose, responsibilities, and the importance of community involvement in promoting student well-being. She emphasized the need for at least four meetings throughout the year, as mandated by Texas state law, and established virtual meeting norms to ensure respectful participation. The meeting included discussions on September awareness topics such as childhood cancer, sickle cell disease, suicide prevention, and childhood obesity, with Dr. Jones encouraging attendees to engage in specific actions to raise awareness and promote healthy habits among students.
The meeting also addressed the local wellness policy assessment, led by Robin Rhodes, who stressed the importance of stakeholder involvement in the review process. Nurse Tammy J. Lake discussed recent changes regarding the administration of over-the-counter medications in schools, highlighting the requirement for a signed order from a medical professional.
The conversation included the complexities of delegating medication administration to non-licensed individuals, with participants expressing concerns about legal and ethical implications. The meeting concluded with announcements about upcoming events, including a blood drive and flu clinic, and a reminder to promote awareness for childhood cancer and sickle cell disease, along with details about the next virtual meeting scheduled for November 18th.
