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Take the Fun Challenge!
It is the end of the school year… the final weeks with our current students. How do we make them memorable, meaningful, and impactful? Challenge yourself to find at least one thing you can do in each lesson to make your class more fun.
Having fun doesn’t mean that students’ aren’t engaged deeply with content. In fact, it is just the opposite. Ask yourself how you can engage and motivate students by making your class more fun. You might consider:
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Turning up the music: Play music as often as possible… and turn up the volume! Encourage students to dance, move and enjoy the beat. You can even make playlists where each student contributes their favorite “walk-up song.”
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Changing the rules: When playing a game, give students the opportunity to change one rule to make the game more fun. At the end of the period, ask groups to share their rule modification. Might be a great way to help students find success.
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Choosing your own equipment: Give students the opportunity to choose the equipment they use for different activities. Sometimes using silly equipment is just what students need to relax and enjoy moving.
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Having students lead warm-ups: Rather than running laps or doing the “same old, same old,” give students the opportunity to plan (alone or in small groups) fun and engaging activities to increase their heart rate and get them ready to participate. It is a fun way for students to bring their own areas of interest and expertise to class.
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Letting them be kids: Roll back time a few years to revisit dances, activities, and games that they enjoyed when they were younger.
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Asking your students: Find out what they think would make your class more fun. Implement some of their suggestions.
As well as creating a fun and inviting culture to your class, you might also find some new activities and strategies to use in years to come. So go ahead… I challenge you… have fun!
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to support you, your site, or your district.
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Health and Physical Education Coordinator
San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE)
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SDCOE Identifies 2023-23 Health and Physical Education Leadership Cadre
The following health and physical educators have been selected as inaugural members of the SDCOE Health and Physical Education Leadership Cadre:
- Laura Brodfuehrer (San Diego Unified SD)
- Shannon Moreno (Grossmont Union High SD)
- Kasey de la Cruz (Grossmont Union High SD)
- Robbie DePerro (San Diego Unified SD)
- Dennis Gildehaus (San Diego Unified SD)
- Leo Hsu (Sweetwater Union High SD)
- Bailee Holt-Sandsmark (San Dieguito Union High SD)
- Austin Olson (San Dieguito Union High SD)
- Trent Suzuki (Escondido Union Elementary SD)
- Tracy Yates (Health Specialist)
Cadre members will be trained to provide professional learning, instructional coaching, technical assistance and design resources to support San Diego County teachers, schools, and districts. Look for opportunities to access their expertise this fall!
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San Diego CAHPERD End of Year Awards
Nominations and applications are accepted until May 5 for the 2023 San Diego California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) Awards. Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate deserving participants for the following awards:
- Program of the Year (Elementary and Secondary)
- Teacher of the Year (Elementary and Secondary)
- New Professional of the Year
- Adapted Teacher of the Year
- Administrator of the Year
- Community Partner of the Year
- Outstanding Service to the Profession
- Retirees
Please complete the 2023 San Diego CAHPERD Award Nomination/Application by May 5. Awards will be presented at the San Diego CAHPERD Year Awards and Social on May 30. Contact Bailee Holt-Sandsmark or Paige Metz for more information.
A celebration will be held on May 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Barefoot Bar on Mission Bay to honor professionals and retirees who have had significant impact on students’ health and physical literacy. Please let the planning team know that you will attend by completing the 2023 CAHPERD Awards RSVP.
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May 1-7 is National Physical Education and Sport Week
National Physical Education and Sport Week is May 1-7. Take this opportunity to celebrate movement, learning, and physical literacy with your students. The Society for Health and Physical Education America has released Activities and Lesson Plans to use with students. Share your memories on social media using #MoveInMay.
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What You Need To Know About 2022-23 Physical Fitness Testing (PFT)
The California Department of Education (CDE) announced that PFT procedures and requirements for 2021-22 will remain in place for the 2022-23 school year, including:
- PFT should only be administered during the testing window from Feb. 1 through May 31.
- All students in grades 5, 7, and 9 will participate in physical fitness using the FITNESSGRAM assessments and their results should be recorded and used to inform students’ achievement of Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools.
- There will be no submission of student-level data. Participation information will be collected and reported on the School Accountability Report Card.
- Information related to calculating a student’s body mass index (height, weight, gender, birthday, etc.) should not be collected.
- Healthy Fitness Zones should not be used.
- Students with disabilities are to be given as much of the test as their condition will permit.
Please see the PFT Update slides from the February 2023 SDCOE Assessment Huddle or email Paige Metz for more information.
Please email Paige Metz if you have any questions.
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CDE’s Expert Panel Releases PFT Recommendations to State Board
The expert panel convened by the CDE to make recommendations regarding the PFT released its Report to the Legislature, Department of Finance and the State Board of Education: Physical Performance Test. The report includes two recommendations.
Recommendation 1: Seek legislative authority and funding to:
- Develop a new program of PFT assessments that are aligned with state law and content standards
- Disallow the use of PFT assessments for academic grades
- Allow parents to exempt students from PFT
- Provide funding to support PFT administration
- Evaluate PFT programming
Recommendation 2: Develop an assessment program that is aligned with state content standards that includes:
- Developing a valid, reliable and fair physical performance test
- Test administration by trained educators in a safe and supporting environment
- Measures improvement over time and excludes body composition
- Provides students with reports that are meaningful and actionable
- Provides date to schools/districts to inform student health and wellness policies
- Provides electronic data to parents/guardians
- Conducts studies on the new physical performance tests to assess validity, reliability and fairness
At this time, it is unclear as to what the State Board of Education will do with this report. SDCOE Health and Physical Education Monthly Updates will continue to share information as it becomes available. Stay tuned!
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San Diego Libraries Share Resources to Stop Health Misinformation
The San Diego Circuit Libraries have released a toolkit and website to stop the spread of health misinformation locally and nationally. Additionally, they are looking for schools who might like to partner to collaborate and distribute this information. If you are interested in partnering with your local library, contact Jeffrey Loo.
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Don’t Miss: SDCOE Spring Health and Physical Education Advisory Meeting May 3!
The Spring SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory meeting is scheduled to take place from 9 to 11 a.m. May 3. Make sure your district/site is represented as we collaborate to discuss national and local trends, legislation, professional learning, resources, and much more. Get more information or register. A Zoom link will be sent to registered applicants the day before the meeting.
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Hang Out with Health and Physical Educators
Meet up with your health and physical education peers at the SDCOE Health and Physical Education Hangouts on the first Wednesday of every month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and receive the latest updates, resources, materials, and best practices in health and physical education. Use this Zoom Link to join each month.
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Health Education Framework Series Empowers Teachers to Develop Students’ Health Literacy
The SDCOE Health Education Framework Series, a combination of asynchronous and synchronous professional learning, is designed to help teachers implement skills-based instruction to build students’ health literacy. Content includes:
SDCOE is now offering the entire series on one day, so register to join us on July 25 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Summer Professional Learning Opportunities
Summer is a great time to update your instructional tools, content and mindsets. Professional learning opportunities are being offered throughout California this summer. Click on the following links to learn more.
Summer Professional Reading Recommendations
Please feel free to email Paige Metz professional reading titles that you would recommend to San Diego health and physical educators to feature in the June update.
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Critical Resources for Health Education
Critical Resources for Physical Education
Critical Resources for Quality Instruction
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If you have any questions or comments about Health and Physical Education Monthly Update, please contact Paige Metz.
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE and in our districts across the county.
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