Healthier Students are Better Learners 

Teaching children and young people how to live a healthy lifestyle is a good way to help them grow into healthy adults. Many studies show that a healthy active child is more likely to be successful in school and have healthy habits their entire life (CDC, 2011; Basch, 2011). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011) states, “six types of health risk behaviors contribute to the leading causes of death, disability and social problems in the United States: (1) tobacco use; (2) unhealthy eating; (3) inadequate physical activity; (4) alcohol and other drug use; (5) sexual behaviors that may result in HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unintended pregnancy; and (6) violence.” 

These six health behaviors have a direct impact on student academics and attendance and schools are an important place to increase understanding, form attitudes and develop skills that affect lifelong healthy behaviors. Additional research shows that schools can deal with the health needs of students and still meet performance goals and lessen financial costs (Action for Healthy Kids, 2013). 

While schools are an important place to make a difference in the long-term health risks of its students, they cannot deal with these complex problems on their own. Schools, parents and community members can join forces to support the knowledge and skills young people need to be healthy. One way for everyone to come together is through the local school health advisory council (SHAC). Local SHACs provide a way to get involved with school health-related issues. 

Texas law (Texas Education Code, Section 28.004) requires the establishment of a SHAC for every school district. A SHAC is a school district created advisory group, consisting of members from different areas of the community and school district. The job of the SHAC is to make sure that the school district’s school health programs reflect local community values.  

Source:School Health Advisory Council: A Guide for Texas School Districts

SHAC and SENATE BILL 9

Senate Bill 9 (SB9) requires public schools to provide instruction to students relating to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking.  SB 9 also requires public schools to obtain parent/guardian consent for students to receive this instruction.

With guidance from the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), Aubrey ISD has approved the curriculum that will be used to teach each of these topics and have determined the grade level(s) that will receive instruction on each of these topics.

Before a student may be provided with instruction related to child abuse, family violence, dating violence and sex trafficking, a parent/guardian will complete the Aubrey ISD OPT-IN Form.  Without written consent from a parent/guardian, students will not receive instruction related to child abuse, family violence, dating violence, or sex trafficking.

Please note:  not all topics are covered at every grade level.

As a parent/guardian, you have the right to preview the curricula at any time. If you have any questions or if you wish to review curriculum materials in advance of instruction, we encourage you to do so by seeing the information below and/or contacting your student’s campus counselor directly.  Your child’s campus will also share information regarding parent education opportunities that will allow you to preview the material(s) at your student’s campus.

Schools will use a variety of platforms to teach the state required topics and the topics requesting parent/guardian consent. 

Parents may view the curriculum for each campus, elementary schools (K-5), middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12) in the Required Postings section of the Aubrey ISD Website. SHAC - School Health Advisory Council Required Postings