HOUSTON – Feb. 12, 2019 – The Spring ISD Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) will meet from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Spring ISD Community Engagement Center (formerly Learning Center), 17125 Ella Blvd.  Parents and community members are invited to attend and provide their input.

“The SHAC assesses various aspects of the district, as it relates to health and well-being,” said Dr. Denise Zimmermann, director of mental health and related services. “We want to hear from our community about what they would like to see added, changed or considered for this year’s health focus.”

This year the council is focusing on food waste and the implementation of “share tables” in schools as a way to curb food waste and make sure children are getting the food they need.

Students are required to take certain foods when they go through the cafeteria line, including milk and fruit, for example. When the students don’t want those items, they are often thrown in the trash, while other students may still be hungry. Share tables, where students can place unwanted food items that are fresh and unopened, are an alternative to throwing food away and provide extra nourishment for students who may still be hungry or want a snack later in the day.

“Research shows a correlation between youth mental health and nutrition,” Zimmermann said. “We never want to see students go hungry, especially when there is ample food available.”

Zimmermann said last year’s focus on the growing mental health needs nationwide that are also impacting the Spring community resulted in the eight-hour-long Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings, which the district began offering free-of-charge to the community last spring.

“I want parents to know that their participation in these SHAC meetings gets results and is much-appreciated and valued by the district,” Zimmermann said. “The Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings are an example of community voices being heard.”

Parents and community members who are interested in participating and providing feedback about this year’s important topic of food waste and share tables, are encouraged to attend the meeting. For more information see SHAC webpage.