Healthy and Safe School Environment of the Coordinated School Health Model

The physical and aesthetic surroundings and the psychosocial climate and culture of the school are critical factors that influence the health of students. Factors that influence the physical environment include the school building and the area surrounding it, any biological or chemical agents that are detrimental to health, and physical conditions such as temperature, noise, and lighting. The psychological environment includes the physical, emotional, and social conditions that affect the well-being of students and staff.

Announcements

Bleeding Control Training

The Texas Education Code (TEC), §38.030, as added by House Bill (HB) 496, 86th Texas Legislature, requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to approve training for the use of a bleeding control station in the event of an injury to another person.

The following list of bleeding control training programs meet all requirements outlined in statute:

American College of Surgeons
Stop the Bleed
stopthebleed@facs.org
(312) 202-5790
https://www.stopthebleed.org/
Cost: Free

Con10gency Consulting
Bleeding Control Basics
info@con10gency.com
1(855) 590-4065
www.con10gency.com
Cost: From $0-$500

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas-Department of Emergency Medicine
Campus Emergency Preparedness and Survival Training (EPAST)
Jamie.Royster@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 648-5347
https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/medical-school/departments/emergency/community/
Cost: Contact for quote

Williamson County Emergency Medical Services (WCEMS)
WCEMS Hemorrhage Control
https://www.wilco.org/Departments/EMS/Public-Education/Stop-The-Bleed
Cost: Free

Additionally, TEC, §38.030, requires each school district and open-enrollment charter school to develop a protocol for school employees to follow in the event of a traumatic injury. This protocol must require that the following personnel complete the state-approved training in the use of a bleeding control station: each school district peace officer commissioned under TEC, §37.081; each school security personnel employed under TEC, §37.081, who provides security services at a campus; each school resource officer who provides law enforcement at a campus; and all other district or school personnel who may reasonably be expected to use a bleeding control station.

The traumatic injury response protocol must also require each school district and open-enrollment charter school to annually offer instruction on the use of a bleeding control station to students enrolled at the campus in Grade 7 or higher. The instruction must be provided by a school resource officer or other appropriate district or school personnel who has received the state-approved training.

Seizure Management and Treatment Form

Senate Bill (SB) 1506, 88th Texas Legislature, 2023, amended Texas Education Code (TEC) §38.032 requiring TEA to adopt and post a form on the agency’s website to be used in submitting a seizure management and treatment plan to a student’s school that includes a specific list of information and the signatures of the student’s parent or guardian and the physician responsible for the seizure treatment.

This change in law only applies to a seizure management and treatment plan submitted to a school district or open-enrollment charter school on or after January 1, 2024.

TEA Seizure Management Treatment Form (Spanish) (PDF)
TEA Seizure Management Treatment Form (PDF) (updated February 1, 2024)

Seizure Recognition and Related First Aid Programs

The Texas Education Code (TEC), §38.033, as added by House Bill (HB) 684, 86th Texas Legislature, permits the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to approve an online course of instruction for seizure recognition and related first aid provided by a nonprofit national foundation that supports the welfare of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders. School nurses employed by a school district and school district employees whose duties include regular contact with students are required to complete the online course of instruction.

The following list of online courses meet all requirements outlined in statute:

The Epilepsy Foundation
Managing Students with Seizures: The Importance of School Nurses
Cost: Free
Seizure Training for School Personnel
Cost: Free

Hot Topics

In an effort to assist educators, parents, students and administrators for effectively responding to acts of bullying and cyberbullying, the agency has developed a new website with a focus on preparedness and response. This website provides definitions, statutory references and requirements, guidance documents, presentations and other resources and materials related to bullying and cyberbullying.

Law Related to Health and Safety

The following links direct you to the law for each specific item:

TEC §28.0023 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation And Automated External Defibrillator Instruction (Outside Source)
TEC §22.902 Instruction Related To Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation And Use Of Automated External Defibrillator (Outside Source)
TEC §33.086 Certification In Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation And First Aid (Outside Source)
TEC §33.094 Football Helmet Safety Requirements (Outside Source)
TEC §33.202 Safety Training Required (Outside Source)
TEC §33.205 Certain Safety Precautions Required (Outside Source)
TEC §34.0021 School Bus Emergency Evacuation Training (Outside Source)
TEC §37.083 Discipline Management Programs; Sexual Harassment Policies (Outside Source)
TEC §37.0831 Dating Violence Policies (Outside Source)
TEC §37.0832 Bullying Prevention Policies And Procedures (Outside Source)
TEC §37.108 Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan; Safety And Security Audit (Outside Source)
TEC §37.1081 School Safety Certification Program (Outside Source)
TEC §37.1082 School Safety Task Force (Outside Source)
TEC §37.109 School Safety And Security Committee (Outside Source)
TEC §37.110 Information Regarding Gang-Free Zones (Outside Source)
TEC §37.217 Community Education Relating To Internet Safety (Outside Source)
TEC §37.218 Programs On Dangers Of Students Sharing Visual Material Depicting Minor Engaged In Sexual Conduct (Outside Source)
TEC §38.0041 Policies Addressing Sexual Abuse And Other Maltreatment Of Children (Outside Source)
TEC §38.017 Availability Of Automated External Defibrillator (Outside Source)
TEC §38.018 Procedures Regarding Response To Cardiac Arrest (Outside Source)
TEC §38.022 School Visitors (Outside Source)
TEC §38.023 List Of Resources Concerning Internet Safety (Outside Source)
TEC §38.024 Insurance Against Student Injuries (Outside Source)
TEC §38.153 Oversight Of Concussions By School Districts And Charter Schools; Return-To-Play Protocol Development By Concussion Oversight Team (Outside Source)
TEC §38.154 Concussion Oversight Team: Membership (Outside Source)
TEC §38.155 Required Annual Form Acknowledging Concussion Information (Outside Source)
TEC §38.156 Removal From Play In Practice Or Competition Following Concussion (Outside Source)
TEC §38.157 Return To Play In Practice Or Competition (Outside Source)
TEC §38.158 Training Courses (Outside Source)

The Sports Link to Prevention of Drug Use

This information is provided to support administrators, coaches, teachers, parents, and students who wish to prevent students from illegal drug use. Student athletes who participate in the University Interscholastic League events each year can find information here that should strengthen their resolve to avoid use of anabolic steroids and other illegal drugs. Provided below are links to information that students need to make the right decisions for healthy, productive athletic careers.

Get the Facts

For every dollar spent in preventing students from using drugs, society saves ten dollars in paying for the consequences.

Negative effects on students using anabolic steroids include:

Weakening the body’s immune system;
Thinning of scalp hair and growth of facial hair in females
Impairing learning
Increased aggression, mood swings, and depression
Increased memory loss
Decreased testosterone and sperm-count level

Law Related to Steroids

The following links provide additional information about steroids:

TEC §33.091 Prevention of Illegal Steroid Use; Random Testing (outside source)
TEC §38.008 Posting of Steroid Law Notice (outside source)
TEC §38.0081 Information about Steroids (outside source)
TEC §38.011 Dietary Supplements (outside source)