'KSHACs' Spread to Multiple Spring Branch ISD Schools in Texas

Share On Social!

In April of 2012, students at Westwood elementary, an 80% Latino school in Houston, TX set out on a mission to “be the change” for better health at their school.

With the encouragement of their mentor Samuel Karns, and support from the Oliver Foundation, twelve students came together to form Spring Branch Independent School District’ s (SBISD) very first Kid’s School Health Advisory Committee (K-SHAC).

During its first year, student members of Westwood’s K-SHAC created their own mission statement and organized healthy activities.

The K-SHAC’s mission statement reads:

“Westwood Elementary’s K-SHAC (Kids School Health Advisory Committee) mission is commitment to helping students now and in the future, by encouraging change through improvements in language, respect, trespassing, and the safety of others, while encouraging healthy choices, eating habits and daily physical activity… We will be the change!”

Throughout the 2011-2012 school year, Westwood students met weekly to discuss ways to introduce their peers to healthier options. Not only did students create and place healthy signs in school hallways, but they also led activities at a family wellness night, participated in the creation of a school garden, attended a meeting at city hall, and volunteered their time at the Houston Food Bank.

According to Karns, students who participate in the K-SHAC have also acquired valuable leadership and presentation skills. For instance, in 2012 & 2013, students presented at the It’s Time Texas Summit.

Now at least four other schools have their own KSHAC. Schools like Frostwood elementary, Rummel Creek, and Edgewood elementary (88.8% Latino) have all followed Westwood’s lead.

Learn more about K-SHACs at SBISD here.