Healthy Lifestyles

Research consistently shows that healthy students are better equipped to learn, stay engaged, and achieve success in the classroom. Supporting the well-being of children is a key priority of PTA, which is why we are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles in our schools and communities.

Through a statewide network of Healthy Lifestyles Chairs, PTA provides leadership, resources, and support to help create healthier environments for students and families. By connecting local PTA leaders with community organizations and state-level resources, PTA empowers schools to implement programs and initiatives that encourage physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Together, we can help ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive both in and out of the classroom. In a healthy school:

All foods, beverages and snacks sold or served meet National School Nutrition Standards.
All students have opportunities to be physically active on a regular basis.
All students have access to regular physical education.
District wide wellness policies are developed, implemented and evaluated with input from students, parents, staff and interested community members.

Benefits of having a Healthy Lifestyles Chair

A Healthy Lifestyles Chair plays an important role in promoting student wellness and supporting a healthy school community. Establishing this position within your PTA can provide numerous benefits, including:

Increasing awareness of health and wellness initiatives among students, families, and staff.
Serving as a recognized advocate for healthy lifestyles and wellness-related issues.
Building strong connections with school administrators, school board members, principals, parents, students, and community partners.
Acting as a central resource for health and wellness information, programs, requirements, and best practices.

What PTAs Can Do

A SHAC (School Health Advisory Council) 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. The AISD SHAC is made up of parents, community members, students, and school staff working together to improve the health of all students and families through coordinated school health programs. Visit Allen SHAC for more information.

The Allen Eagle Run is March 7th, 2026. Proceeds from the Allen Eagle Run are used to fund Student Scholarships and Teacher Grants. Visit Allen Eagle Run for more information.

The 21-Day Challenge encourages you to make healthier snack choices for the next 21 days. Every day, prepare and eat a healthy snack that contains a fruit or veggie. We encourage you and your family to participate together and share in the fun! Visit Kids Teaching Kids for more information.

International Walk to School Day is October 7, 2026. It is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration each October.

National Bike to School Day is May 6, 2026. The event builds on the popularity of Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the world each October. Many communities and schools have been holding spring walk and bicycle to school events for years. National Bike to School Day provides an opportunity for schools across the country to join together to celebrate and to build off of the energy of National Bike Month.

Earth Day is April 22, 2026. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on the environmental issues that the world faces. Visit the Earth Day website for more information.