Who and what is SHAC?
A SHAC is a school board appointed advisory group of individuals who represent different segments of the community. By law, a majority of the members must be persons who are parents of students enrolled in the district and who are not employed by the district. Texas law (Texas Education Code, Title 2, Subtitle F, Chapter 28, Subchapter A, §28.004) requires the establishment of a SHAC for every school district. SHACs are required to meet at least four times each year.
As a University of Texas demonstration school, we are leading the way in promoting healthy and active lifestyles. Therefore, we go above and beyond the requirements of the National Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Below you will find federal, state, and UTES standards for food and physical activity.
Welcome New and Returning Members:
The UTES SHAC is lead by Physical Education Teacher Danielle Zibilski
UTES Employee Members:
Kimberly Wilson, Food Service Manager, Executive Chef
Rachel Ibarra, School Nurse
Andrea Manchaca, Campus Social Worker
Lara Wilder, School Principal
Parent Volunteer Members:
Mary Lee, Parent
Student Volunteer Members:
School Aged Students of our Members
5th grade Leader Representation
Public Notice: The UT Charter School System SHAC meetings will take place on the following dates on UTES campus and via ZOOM or TEAMS
Agendas
24 September 2025 UTES SHAC Agenda
SHAC Meeting Notes and Summary:
24 September 2025 UTES SHAC Minutes
Vision Statement
All students attending UTES will be ensured a safe, healthy environment with appropriate quality information to achieve the highest possible sense of self-control, self-esteem and self-reliance as preparation for adulthood. For this reason, the purpose of a comprehensive school health education program is twofold: first, to consider the total human being in the educational process, and second, to motivate students to help themselves and others to live healthy productive lives by taking an inter-generational approach to learning.
Mission Statement
The mission of the UTES’s SHAC is to ensure that all children in the district, grades PreK-5, will have healthy bodies and minds through continuous health and physical education programs along with good nutrition, teaching them to appreciate and adopt a lifestyle of healthy living.
Goal
The goal of the UTES’s SHAC is to advise and actively communicate to UTES Administration decision-making regarding student and staff needs and education related to health knowledge and skills, policies and procedures that impact student and staff health and the health of the school environment.
Recommended Snack List
Below is a list of healthy snack ideas that UTES families can refer to when choosing snacks to bring for their class to enjoy. You are not restricted to the foods below, but if you choose something not listed below, please avoid fried foods, foods high in sodium (not > 350mg), peanuts, high fructose corn syrup, food dyes, or added sugar. These are guidelines. Please refer to classroom teacher preferences for more specific requests and snack guidelines.
If you have snacks that need to be refrigerated, you can bring them to the chef for storage for the week. All perishable leftover snacks will be discarded at the end of the week.
- Hummus with pita or vegetables
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Dried fruits without added sugars
- Individually wrapped cheese
- Baked sweet potato chips, multi-grain chips or veggie chips
- Pirate Booty (Tings and Smart Puffs also recommended)
- Whole grain muffins
- Goldfish
- Whole grain crackers like: Triscuits, matzos, or kalvi rye crackers
- Yogurt (Free of artificial ingredients. Greek yogurt is the best option)
- 100-calorie pack snack crackers
- Oatmeal or Whole Grain Bars
- Fresh Fruits such as: grapes, apples, bananas, kiwis, berries, cherries, mandarin oranges
- 100% Fruit smoothies Hard pretzels Mini rice cakes, flavored Whole grain/brown rice cakes
- Dry cereal, individual serving (free of peanuts, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and artificial dyes)
- Popcorn (Air-popped or pre-packaged light popcorn. Microwave popcorn not recommended)
- Whole wheat pita, tortillas, or English muffins
- Cheese and fruit kabobs
- Healthy dips such as salsa, guacamole, bean dip, yogurt dips NO NUT BUTTERS
- Veggies such as: carrots, celery sticks, snap peas, bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, broccoli, grape tomatoes
Below are some nutritious suggestions for class wide birthday treats:
• Rice cakes that the kids can decorate with icing, raisins, grapes, etc.
• Muffins
• Fruit salads
• Yogurt parfait (fruit, granola, yogurt)
• Oatmeal fruit bars
• Mini carrot or pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
• If you choose to bring cupcakes, consider bringing mini-sized
Local Wellness Policy
Sec. 1. POLICY REQUIREMENTS
The University of Texas Elementary School must establish a local wellness policy for all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. The local wellness plan shall be a written plan that includes methods to promote student wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and provide assurance that school meals and other food and beverages sold and otherwise made available on the school campus during the school day are consistent with applicable minimum Federal standards. 7 C.F.R. 210.31(a).
Sec. 2. DEFINITIONS
“School day” means the period from the midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. 7 C.F.R. 210.11(a)(5).
“School campus” means all areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the University of Texas Elementary School that are accessible to students during the school day. 7 C.F.R. 210.11(a)(4).
Sec. 3. WELLNESS
The University of Texas Elementary School shall follow nutrition guidelines that advance student health and reduce childhood obesity and shall promote the general wellness of all students by implementing measurable goals to promote sound nutrition and health through nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities.
Sec. 4. DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL WELLNESS PLAN
The Superintendent or designee shall appoint a school wellness council (“SWC”) to review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques and to develop nutrition guidelines and wellness goals as required by law. In developing, implementing, and reviewing the guidelines and goals of the local wellness plan, the SWC will allow participation by parents; students; representatives of the University of Texas Elementary School’s food service provider; the University of Texas Elementary School physical education teachers, campus and/or district-level administrators, and school health professionals; Board members; and community members.
The SWC shall develop a wellness policy to implement the University of Texas Elementary School’s nutrition guidelines and goals. The local wellness plan must address, at a minimum:
1. Strategies for soliciting involvement by and input from individuals interested in the wellness plan and policy;
2. Activities, benchmarks, and objectives for implementing wellness goals;
3. Methods for measuring implementation of wellness goals;
4. the University of Texas Elementary School’s standards for foods and beverages provided (but not sold) to students during the school day and while on campus; and 5. Methods for communicating to the public information about the University of Texas Elementary School’s local wellness plan. The SWC will review and revise the wellness plan on a regular basis, and recommend revisions to the plan when necessary.
Sec. 5. NUTRITION GUIDELINES
The University of Texas Elementary School’s nutrition guidelines for reimbursable school meals and other foods and beverages sold or marketed to students during the school day will be designed to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity and shall be at least as restrictive as federal regulations and guidance, except when the University of Texas Elementary School allows an exemption for allowable fundraising activities.
Marketing Strategy
The University of Texas Elementary School does not market any outside beverages or foods nor are there any vending machines on campus. The UT Elementary does not anticipate conducting any marketing of outside food or beverages in the future.
The University of Texas Elementary School shall also establish standards for all foods and beverages provided (but not sold) to students during the school day; these standards must be included in the school wellness plan.
Sec. 6. WELLNESS GOALS
a) Nutrition Education
The University of Texas Elementary School shall implement, in accordance with law, a coordinated health program with a nutrition education component and shall use health course curriculum that emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition. This program will encourage participation in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and any other supplemental nutrition and food programs offered by the University of Texas Elementary School.
Additionally, the University of Texas Elementary School establishes the following goals for nutrition education:
1. Students will receive nutrition education that fosters the adoption and maintenance of healthy eating behaviors.
2. Nutrition education will be a University of Texas Elementary School-wide priority and will be integrated into other areas of the curriculum, as appropriate.
3. Staff responsible for nutrition education will be adequately prepared and will participate in professional development activities to effectively deliver the program as planned.
4. The food service staff, teachers, and other school personnel will coordinate the promotion of nutrition messages in the cafeteria, the classroom, and other appropriate settings.
5. Educational nutrition information will be shared with families and the general public to positively influence the health of students and community members.
b) Physical Activity
The University of Texas Elementary School shall implement, in accordance with law, a coordinated health program with physical education and physical activity components and shall offer at least the amount of physical activity for all grades required by the Texas Education Code or Commissioner Rule.
In addition, the University of Texas Elementary School establishes the following goals for physical activity:
1. The University of Texas Elementary School will provide an environment that fosters safe and enjoyable fitness activities for all students, including those who are not participating in competitive sports.
2. Physical education classes will regularly emphasize moderate to vigorous activity.
3. The University of Texas Elementary School will encourage teachers to integrate physical activity into the academic curriculum where appropriate.
4. The University of Texas Elementary School will encourage parents to support their children’s participation, to be active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.
c) Other School-Based Activities
The University of Texas Elementary School establishes the following goals for creating an environment conducive to healthy nutrition and physical activity and to promote a consistent wellness message to the school community:
1. The University of Texas Elementary School shall allow sufficient time for students to eat meals in facilities that are clean, comfortable, and safe.
2. The University of Texas Elementary School shall promote employee wellness activities and involvement at suitable school activities.
Sec. 7. IMPLEMENTATION
The Superintendent or designee shall oversee the implementation of this policy and the development of the local wellness plan and appropriate administrative procedures related to this wellness policy.
Sec. 8. EVALUATION
The University of Texas Elementary School shall comply with federal requirements for evaluating this policy and the wellness plan. Generally, the University of Texas Elementary School’s compliance with the local wellness plan shall be assessed at least once every three years. The Superintendent or designee shall conduct the assessment, which will consider:
1. The extent to which each school is in compliance with the local school wellness policy;
2. The extent to which the local school wellness policy aligns with model local school wellness policies; and 3. A description of the progress made toward attaining the goals described in the local wellness plan.
Sec. 9. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The University of Texas Elementary School must annually inform and update the public about the content and implementation of this wellness policy, and make the policy and any updates, along with the local wellness plan and program assessments, available to the public.
Sec. 10. RECORDS RETENTION
The University of Texas Elementary School shall retain all the required records associated with the wellness policy as required by law1 and the University of Texas Elementary School’s record management program.
42 U.S.C. 1758b, 7 C.F.R. Part 210.
1 The University of Texas-University Charter School may refer to the Texas Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Division’s “Administrator’s Reference Manual (ARM”) for the School Nutrition Program for guidance on record retention requirements.
