Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC)

The name of this organization is the Mercedes Independent School District School Health Advisory Council (SHAC). The Mercedes ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is an advisory group whose members include parents, students, school staff members, and diverse community representation. The group acts collectively to provide advice to the school district on all aspects of the school health program.

 

The SHAC responsibilities include fielding health education concerns form the community and bring them to a SHAC meeting for discussion, providing leadership for health education concerns, submitting recommendations to the MISD School Board Member as needed. The council's duties include recommending the number of hours instructions provided in health education and reviewing curriculum appropriate for specific grade levels designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes through coordination of 1) health education 2) physical education and physical activity 3) parental involvement 4) instruction to prevent the use of e-cigarettes. The council's duties also include reviewing and recommending methods of instruction for human sexuality in appropriate grade levels. In addition, the council can review and recommend coordinated school health strategies for integrating appropriate curriculum components through the following: 1) school health services 2) counseling and guidance 3) a safe and healthy school environment 4) school employee wellness 5) nutrition services 6) physical education 7) family/community involvement and 8) health education 9) mental health 10) substance abuse. The board of trustees may direct the committee to study and make recommendations on specific issues.