Oct. 3, 2022

Focus on the Assets that Each Student Brings to Your Class

For years, we have talked about the baggage that each student brings to our classes. Unfortunately, the focus on “baggage” means that we have seen students for their deficits and challenges, rather than the unique assets and strengths of each child. I encourage you to flip the lens to focus attention on the special gifts and talents that walk through the door – students’ languages, cultures, interests, identities, passions, skills, expertise, and dreams!

To learn more about your students’ assets, consider asking them the following questions:

• Words that describe them
• Things they are good at or interested in
• Things they would like (or need) you to know about them
• Their hopes and dreams
• How they learn best
• The easiest way for them to show what they know/can do
• What they would like to get out of your class

Give students the opportunity to be creative in how they share this information. Invite students to choose from a menu board that may include creating a video, recording a podcast, designing a “seed packet” that describes how they grow best, making a poster, writing a skit/song, or creating a commercial.

This asset-based student data can be used to:

• Design instruction that aligns with how students learn best
• Build student interest, competence, and confidence with our content
• Create connections with and amongst students
• Demonstrate our belief that every student can be successful
• Make your class relevant and fun

Give it a whirl! See what happens when you invest in students’ strengths, interests, and skills. You might be surprised at the learning that can take place!

Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to support you, your site, or district. Wishing you a fantastic school year!

What You Need To Know About 2022-23 Physical Fitness Testing (PFT)

The California Department of Education (CDE) recently 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 recorded. 
• There will be no submission of student-level data. Participation information will be collected and reported on the School Accountability Report Card (SARC).
• Information related to calculating a student’s body mass index (height, weight, gender, birthday, etc.) should not be collected.
• Healthy Fitness Zones (HFZs) should not be used.
• Students with disabilities are to be given as much of the test as their condition will permit. 
• Two-year exemptions based on pupils satisfactorily meeting five of the six standards of PFT are not currently available. Students are not eligible for a physical education exemption until they are 16 years of age or older and have been enrolled in 10th grade for at least one academic year. 

Please email Paige Metz if you have any questions.

Looking for Leadership Opportunities? San Diego CAHPERD Might Be Just What You Are Looking For!

The San Diego Region of the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) is looking for a new regional president. In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape programming and policies (including legislation) that impacts all California Health and Physical Educators. As well, you will work with San Diego colleagues to plan social events and the End of Year Awards. For more information, contact Bailee Holt-Sandsmark or Paige Metz.

New Requirement for Menstrual Equity in Schools

AB 367 requires California public schools to provide free tampons and pads in campus bathrooms. To better understand the new requirements, SDCOE has created a Resources for Menstrual Equity in Schools webpage that features language, templates, and resources to help local educational agencies understand and address this addition to Ed Code.

CDE Provides Critical Guidance for Physical Activity During Hot Weather! MUST READ!!

The California Department of Education (CDE) recently emailed out CDPH Heat Advisory Information. Schools and districts are encouraged to use this information to make decisions re: students’ physical activity during hot weather. Please share this information with colleagues throughout your district/site.

Hang Out With Fellow Health and Physical Educators

Hang out 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. Hangouts will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Use this Zoom Link to join each month. 

Represent Your District/Site at the Fall SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Meeting on Oct. 6

Join representatives from throughout San Diego County on Oct. 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. to discuss:

• National, state, and local updates
• Professional learning opportunities
• Trends and best practices
• Network with other districts and sites
• Resources

There is no cost to attend, but advanced registration is required. View our Physical Education Advisory Meeting webpage for more information and to register.

Health Education Framework Series Empowers Teachers to Develop Students’ Health Literacy

The 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. Click the following date links to learn more about the complete fall series, or attend individual sessions. All sessions are scheduled from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• Session 1: Framework Overview (Oct. 4)
• Session 2: Nutrition and Physical Activity, AND Mental, Emotional and Social Health (Oct. 18)
• Session 3: Growth, Development, and Sexual Health, AND Injury Prevention and Safety (Nov. 1)
• Session 4: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs, AND Personal and Community Health (Nov. 15)

Health Education Framework Series Empowers Teachers to Develop Students’ Health Literacy

The 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. Click the following date links to learn more about the complete fall series, or attend individual sessions. All sessions are scheduled from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• Session 1: Framework Overview (Oct. 4)
• Session 2: Nutrition and Physical Activity, AND Mental, Emotional and Social Health (Oct. 18)
• Session 3: Growth, Development, and Sexual Health, AND Injury Prevention and Safety (Nov. 1)
• Session 4: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs, AND Personal and Community Health (Nov. 15)

New and Improved Physical Literacy Institute

Participate in conversations designed to better understand the concept of physical literacy and to identify strategies and actions to provide instruction to strategically impact students’ understanding, skills, mindsets, values, and habits associated with physical activity. Together, we will utilize standards-based instructional design, social and emotional learning, universal design for learning, and culturally and linguistically relevant teaching to provide meaningful learning experiences for students. The Physical Literacy Institute will take place online from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 14, Feb. 28, and March 14. Visit the Spring Physical Literacy Institute Registration for more information and to register.

Join the 2022-23 Cohort of the SDCOE Health and Physical Education Leadership Academy 

Educators who have completed the Physical Literacy Institute or all four of the Health Education Framework series are invited to participate in the Tier 1 Health and Physical Education Leadership Academy (HPELA). The first of a two-tier leadership series is designed to develop model pedagogy and practice for teacher recognition as a role model and leader on campuses/in districts. HPELA provides a combination of professional learning and on-site coaching to develop and promote best practices. Meetings will take place virtually from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 12, Oct. 26, Nov. 30, Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Jan. 25, March 8, and March 22. Visit the Tier 1 Health and Physical Education Leadership Academy registration system for more information and to register.

Health and Physical Education Leadership in Action (Tier 2) Kicks Off Second Year

Those who have completed PELA may register for the second tier of the leadership series, designed to study and implement effective leadership voice and strategies. SDCOE’s Health and Physical Education Leadership in Action focuses on best practices for communication, promotion, and advocacy. Join us Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Jan. 18, and March 15 as we develop skills sets, messaging, strategies and action to make a difference in health and physical education in San Diego County and beyond. Visit the Health and Physical Education Leadership in Action (Tier 2) registration system for more information and to register.

Plan Ahead to Attend State and National Conferences

Looking to update programming, identify exciting ways to engage students, or network with colleagues? Plan ahead to attend one of the following events!

• California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) State Conference will take place March 9 to 11 at the Marriott in Santa Clara.
• Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America National Convention is scheduled for March 28 to April 1 in Seattle.

New Resources to Support SB 224 Mental Health Education Requirements

The California Health Education Community of Practice/Health Education CISC Subcommittee has recently posted resources related to SB 224 on the California Health Education website. There is now a specific webpage for Mental Health Education (SB 224). It is on the “Administrators” pull-down menu at the top of the page. On this page you will find:

• Specific language and bill details
• California AB 224 Infographic
• SB 224 One-Pager
• Grade 7-8 Mental Health Education Instructional Materials Assessment Tool
• Grade 9-12 Mental health Education Instructional Materials Assessment Tool

Additional resources will be added to this website throughout the school year.

New 988 National Suicide Prevention Hotline

Individuals in need of immediate mental health assistance can now dial/text 9-8-8 or web chat at 988lifeline.org to connect with counselors trained to understand how you are feeling and connect you to resources that are specifically tailored to your needs. 988 counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Educators are encouraged to share this information with students and families.

ASHWG Reviews Curricula for Compliance with California Healthy Youth Act

The California Healthy Kids Resource Center, together with the Adolescent Sexual Health Work Group (ASHWG), conducted an intensive review of growth development and sexual health curriculum in accordance with the California Healthy Youth Act. A total of nine publishers submitted curricula to be reviewed. Access all of the curricula reviews by expanding the Links to Compliance Assessment Tools and Resources tab, which includes the following:

• A table that lists the curriculum reviewed along with the information on where it can be borrowed or purchased
• Compliance assessment tools (used to grade the curricula against Education Code) that are specific to each curriculum that was reviewed
• A California Healthy Kids Curricula Review introduction methodology that describes the law, review process, and the compliance assessment tool grading

This 2020-21 California Healthy Youth Act curricula review is intended to be an update of previous reviews done by ASHWG, and these reviews are posted on the California Healthy Kids Resource Center webpage. Reviews can be found by scrolling down the home page and clicking Links to Compliance Assessment Tools and Resources. For additional information, visit the CDE CHYA webpage. A recording of a recent webinar explaining how to use CHYA compliance reviews will be available later this month.

California Health Education Website Helpful for Educators

Last year a new, one-stop shop website launched for all things related to health education programming. CaliforniaHealthEducation.org features critical resources for each of the six content areas that include:

• Links to the California Health Education Framework and the California Health Education Content Standards
• Online professional learning opportunities including:
• Introduction to the California Health Education Framework 
• Nutrition and Physical Activity; and Mental, Emotional, and Social Health
• Growth, Development, and Sexual Health; and Safety and Violence Prevention
• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs; and Personal and Community Health
• Educator resources for every health education content area
• Standards guides
• Skill posters
• Model learning activities
• Resources for administrators
• Opportunities for family and community collaboration

Bookmark CaliforniaHealthEducation.org as it will continue to be updated and populated with content to support the implementation of the new California Health Education Framework.

New and Updated Resources to Support LGBTQ+ Youth

The CDE has added significant updates to its Supporting LGBTQ+ website, including specific resources to support educators, students, and families. Even better news is that they include links to local resources in San Diego County. Be sure to share this information with administrators, counselors, teachers, and families. In addition, schools may use this information to update their comprehensive sexual health instruction to make sure that experiences are inclusive and accessible for all students.

Also, the San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Council’s Youth Services Committee — under the leadership of San Diego Pride, the SD LGBT Community Center, The North County LGBTQ Resource Center, and Trans Family Services — has recently released LGBTQ+ Youth Standards of Care. The standards outline best practices and relevant resources that reflect and comply with California Education Code and laws.