Last Chance! Sign Up For Chancellor's Conference Day, Thursday June 4 | | |
For over ten years on Chancellor’s Conference Day, the Office of School Wellness Programs (OSWP), the NYC Public Schools programmatic office for physical education (PE) and health education, has offered professional learning opportunities for PE and health education teachers and school and district staff. More than 3,000 educators participated in our last June conference day in 2024—be sure to join us this year!
Find descriptions and CTLE information on the Chancellor's Conference Day page.
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Chancellor’s Day coincides with Pride Month in June, a broader moment to celebrate the LGBTQ+ pioneers—then and now—who advocated and continue to advocate for equality through art, culture, civic action, community service, and more. As NYCPS educators come together to collaborate and grow professionally on Chancellor’s Day, it is an opportunity to reflect on and reinforce the importance of inclusive and supportive school environments where all students and staff feel seen, valued, and supported.
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(Photo: Video still from "Best Practices for Parent-Child Communication." Office of School Wellness Programs.)
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Honoring the Life and Legacy of Marysol De La Cruz
The Office of School Wellness Programs shares with heavy hearts the passing of Marysol De La Cruz on April 25, 2026. Marysol was a beloved colleague and devoted Physical Education Instructional Specialist whose impact spanned more than two decades of service to New York City public schools.
Marysol championed student wellness with unwavering purpose and heart as an educator and instructional leader. For over 24 years, her work across elementary, secondary, and district-wide roles in NYC reflected her deep belief that physical education is fundamental to academic success, emotional well-being, and lifelong health. Prior to joining the Office of School Wellness Programs, she served students and families at P.S./M.S. 279 The Captain Manuel Rivera, Jr. School (10X279); P.S. 157 The Grove Hill (07X157); and P.S. 242 The Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (03M242).
Marysol exemplified teacher leadership. She was a generous mentor, a thoughtful collaborator, and a tireless advocate for equitable, inclusive, student-centered PE and wellness. Her practice was especially responsive to English Language Learners and students with diverse abilities, ensuring that every child felt seen, supported, and valued. As one colleague shared, “The lessons she imparted continue to guide our work and is still a defining part of her professional legacy.”
Marysol’s kindness, professionalism, and belief in the transformative power of physical education enriched the lives of countless students, families, and colleagues. She will be deeply missed by OSWP staff and all who had the privilege of working alongside her.
To share thoughts or requests for support in this difficult time, please reach out to your OSWP borough team.
(Photo: Courtesy the De La Cruz Family.)
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(Photo: Screenshot from video "Every Day Matters!" New York City Public Schools.)
End-of-Year Attendance Support
The school year isn’t over until the last day for students, June 26, and every day matters now more than ever. School staff: Watch and share the Every Day Matters! video, and use social media graphics and other resources in the End-of-Year Student Attendance Toolkit to reinforce messaging to students and families.
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For All of Us: Pride Marches, LGBTQ+ Resources, and More for Pride Month
This June, New York celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride under the theme “For All of Us”. This year’s theme reminds us that PRIDE is for everyone, and affirming LGBTQ+ identities in the classroom and school community helps foster a sense of belonging for all students.
New York City Public Schools supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) students, families, and staff across the five boroughs through a variety of policies and programs.
Educators:
Students, parents, and caregivers:
(Image: Courtesy Human Rights Campaign.)
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School Staff: New Resources to Support Family Engagement in Health Education
Looking for health education resources you can turnkey to caregivers and families? The Office of School Wellness Programs has released new grade-band-specific toolkits to help you:
- keep parents and caregivers informed about what is taught in health education, specifically the Growth and Development units (for grades K-5) and Sexual Health units (for grades 6-12);
- plan a family engagement workshop around health education and these units; and
- respectfully address parents’/caregivers’ questions and concerns.
Each family toolkit contains resources, tips, and FAQs for schools and caregivers, including links to new videos you can share with parents/caregivers. (Toolkits require NYCPS login.)
Whether you are an administrator, health teacher, parent coordinator, or other school staff member working directly with families, we encourage you to use these resources to help caregivers feel supported in discussing essential health topics with their children.
(Image: Covers of Family Engagement Toolkits. Office of School Wellness Programs.)
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Reflections on Student Impact: Catching up with NYCPS Big Apple PE Award Winners
The Big Apple Physical Education Award has been part of the NYC Public Schools Big Apple Awards for nine years, from 2017 to 2025, and is supported by New York Road Runners and the Office of School Wellness Programs. The award recognizes outstanding physical education (PE) teachers, their leadership, and the lasting impact of high-quality PE on students across New York City Public Schools.
As the NYCPS programmatic office for PE and health education, the Office of School Wellness Programs plays an active role in helping to develop and promote exceptional PE instruction and PE teacher-leaders. OSWP accomplishes this by planning and providing:
- monthly PE professional learning communities to support leadership development, networking, and sharing of best practices;
- professional learning for PE teachers throughout the year to strengthen high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction;
- technical assistance to teachers and school and district administrators;
- ongoing coordination among teachers, administrators, and district-level staff to prioritize PE at their schools; and
- coordination with district teams on STARS programming and teacher recruitment.
For this month’s Champion Spotlight, we celebrate all nine Big Apple PE Award winners: educators whose dedication, creativity, and leadership continue to shape meaningful physical education experiences across our schools.
We reached out to each award winner to share their personal reflection about their teaching practice and strategies that inspire student engagement: making physical education inclusive, joyful, and impactful. From building strong relationships with students to fostering lifelong fitness habits, their collective wisdom offers valuable lessons for all educators.
(Photos courtesy of each teacher unless otherwise credited.)
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Reyes Andon (2025)
P.S. 376 Felisa Rincon De Gautier School of Technology (32K376), Brooklyn
“One of the moments I carry with me most started with a question from our students: Why doesn’t this space reflect who we are? We have a schoolyard at P.S. 376 but our students recognized it didn’t honor the culture and identity of our Bushwick community. So, they didn’t just ask for change, they created it. They researched, organized, and produced their own advocacy video making the case to school and parks leadership for a mini soccer blue pitch, a space that would be theirs, rooted in who they are. My role was simply to believe in them before they fully believed in themselves, and to keep following through with the leaders who could make it real.”
(Photo: Victor Castro.)
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Jennifer Harjus (2024)
P.S. 100 Glen Morris Elementary School (27Q100), Queens
“Since receiving the Big Apple Award, I’ve continued to grow by collaborating with other PE teachers through PLCs [Professional Learning Communities facilitated by the Office of School Wellness Programs] and professional development, while also reflecting on and refining my own lessons. I consistently seek student feedback and try new strategies and activities to keep my program engaging and accessible for all learners.”
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Daniel Matos (2023)
Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts (02M531), Manhattan
“Teaching PE showed me that PE is one of the few places in a school where we get to see every student over a span of years, and that kind of access carries real responsibility to lead with intention while inspiring a life of physical literacy. Today, leadership in PE looks like developing other teachers, as I now train future PE educators at Brooklyn College and build frameworks that help teachers move from managing activity to designing meaningful learning experiences.”
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Lisa Taub (2022)
P.S. 91 Richard Arkwright (24Q091), Queens
“Commit to perpetual innovation in pedagogy. Never settle for simply repeating past lessons. Innovation means seeking out and integrating current best practices, utilizing technology to enhance engagement and assessment, and designing student-centered curriculum, meeting students where they are through modifications and scaffolding. Strive to move beyond traditional sports and incorporate modern wellness concepts, fitness technologies, and activities that resonate with diverse student interests, ensuring every student finds a pathway to lifelong physical activity.”
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Sasha Roopchand (2021)
The Brooklyn Green School (16K898), Brooklyn
“One of the most meaningful outcomes of my work has been the development of community partnerships that have opened doors for my students and their families in ways that extend far beyond our school building. I’ve been intentional about building relationships that provide free or low-cost opportunities so that all our students can access experiences that might not otherwise be available to them.”
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Vanessa DiServio (2020)
Hudson High School of Learning Technologies (02M437), Manhattan (currently on leave)
“Since my award I have been on childcare leave raising my daughter. Beyond the classroom, the qualities the profession has given me over the years in problem solving, setting boundaries, creating opportunities for growth and development, leading with love, toddler conflict resolution, and classroom management is leading my personal path in parenting.”
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Douglas Rebecca (2019)
Brooklyn Occupational Training Center (75K721), Brooklyn
“In my role as an adapted physical educator in District 75, I've had the opportunity to introduce new initiatives such as an Adapted Aquatics program, overnight camping, Special Olympics programming which has our student-athletes competing in local and Statewide events on weekends, as well as school-wide fun activities that bring students and staff together, such as a school walk/wheel-a-thon, a 3 v 3 basketball tournament, etc. To me, leadership means taking chances, embracing new opportunities, and communicating your vision with heart to those who can support you.”
(Photo: NYCPS.)
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Mike Rosario (2018)
P.S./M.S. 279 Captain Manuel Rivera, Jr. (10X279), Bronx
“When former students of mine come back to P.S./M.S. 279 and they became a nurse, teacher, and lawyer, that’s when I know I’ve changed their lives forever by supporting their attending school. [An impact of my work is] increasing students’ attendance through the CHAMPS program: I’ve had many students with less than 50% attendance, then they get to over 90% with the motivation in PE and the CHAMPS program.”
(Photo: NYCPS.)
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Rose Newman (2017)
I.S. 59 Springfield Gardens (29Q059), Queens
“A defining moment that reflects the impact of my work within the school community has been my school administrations' recognition of my strengths and the trust placed in me to help grow the school. I have been given the flexibility to lead schoolwide initiatives and events that foster unity, joy, and connection among students. Activities such as color runs, student vs. staff basketball games, traveling around the city with my teams to compete, trips to Urban Air, and other physically engaging events have not only promoted fitness, but have also strengthened students socially and emotionally, both within and beyond the school environment.”
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PE Teachers: Register for In-Person Strong and Fit Professional Learning
Secondary PE teachers, register for the full-day, in-person Strong and Fit workshop on June 24 to learn high-quality instructional approaches for providing safe, effective physical education to grades 6-12 students in weight rooms and fitness centers. Attendees take away mini-lessons and a sample pacing guide for a semester-long class.
Grades 6-12: Wednesday, June 24, 8:30 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. (CTLE: 320 minutes)
Location: Bronx High School for Medical Science (09X413), 240 East 172 St., Bronx
(Image: Adobe Express)
| | Move-to-Improve Monthly Moves | |
MTI Activity
Freeze and Groove
Add some academics to a traditional dance-type activity with Freeze and Groove.
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Cool Down
Breathing Techniques
Try letting your students lead a cool down or allow students to come up with their own way to re-focus and bring their heart rates back to normal.
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Movement
Aerobic Fitness
Explore various aerobic fitness/endurance movements in the blue Visual Aid Cards. Students can choose moves that get their heart, lungs, and muscles active.
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Grades 6-8 Health Teachers: New Middle School Oral Health Lesson
Poor oral health can lead to pain, trouble focusing, social issues, speech challenges, and missed school days, making it a key but often overlooked factor in attendance.
To help health teachers reinforce strong oral health habits, a new oral health lesson plan and classroom resources for middle school health teachers are now available on WeTeachNYC:
The tools in the new oral health lesson empower students to finish the school year strong and head into summer confident, healthy, and ready to thrive. Reinforce these important concepts by sharing and utilizing resources from the NYC Department of Health:
(Photo: From Healthy Teeth Bright Futures Curriculum Slide Deck.)
| | Additional Partner Opportunities | | |
Help Teens Quit Vaping with Free Support and Treatment Options
Recent research shows that in 2023, 14% of public high school students in New York City reported vaping; this is over three times as high as youth cigarette smoking. The majority (80%) of high school students who vaped reported they wanted to quit.
Teens who are ready to quit vaping can:
- Sign up for free, confidential texting support from the DropTheVape program from the New York State Department of Health.
- Visit the New York State Quitline or call 866-NY-QUITS (866-697-8487) to talk to a quit coach for support. Young people ages 18 and older may also be eligible for a free starter kit of nicotine medications.
- Visit nyc.gov/vaping to learn more about support and treatment options available to them.
Stay tuned for an exciting new vaping prevention and intervention campaign from New York City Public Schools in Fall 2026! NYCPS will share coordinated resources and activities to promote healthy decision-making among students of all grade bands. As part of this work, each school and district has been asked to identify a Wellness Ambassador.
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Has your school identified a School Wellness Ambassador? Check with your administration to learn who has been designated, and look for more information in School Wellness Connection in the Fall.
(Image: NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.)
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Bring Kindness to Classrooms with Respect for All Webinars
Let’s bring kindness to our classrooms. K-12 NYCPS school staff can join live webinars online or complete self-guided courses offered by the NYCPS Office of Safety and Prevention Partnerships.
Live webinars: Visit the Respect for All Professional Development Calendar 2026 for further details and registration links. Topics include Responses to Bullying; Religion and Religious Identity; and Centering Youth Voice in Culturally Responsive Education.
Self-Paced Course - Generation Be There: NYCPS school staff, as well as students and parents/caregivers, can sign up for a self-guided mental health course that directly aligns with Respect for All priorities to create safe, inclusive, and supportive school communities.
Additional questions? Email RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov.
(Photo: NYCPS Office of Safety and Prevention Partnerships.)
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Grades 6-12 Educators: NYCPS Youth Climate Summit – June 10 and 11
Teachers! Register your middle or high school student group to take a trip to Governors Island for a day of learning, exploration, and action at the NYC Public Schools Youth Climate Summit hosted by the Youth Leadership Council. Students will connect with climate and sustainability professionals, engage in hands-on workshops, deepen their understanding of environmental justice, and leave with concrete ideas for taking climate action after the school year ends.
Grades K-12 Educators: Apply for a Sustainability Project Grant up to $5,000
Each year, the Office of Energy & Sustainability offers an opportunity for all NYCPS schools to apply for a grant for up to $5,000 in funding or materials for a school-based sustainability project. The 11th Annual Sustainability Project Grant application is open through Monday, June 22. Apply for support for projects including climate education, gardens and outdoor learning, environmental justice, and Climate Action Days.
(Photo: NYCPS Office of Energy & Sustainability.)
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Looking for Free Physical Activity Options?
Go Hiking in NYC Parks!
New York City parks contain 300 miles of trails that wind through some of the oldest forests in the city, and past 10,000 acres of wild and untouched natural areas, glacial potholes, and bedrock. Parks in all boroughs host all kinds of wildlife, from ospreys nesting high up on utility poles to turtles sunbathing on rocks in the ponds. Along your walk, you can also visit historic places that give a glimpse of Old New York and tell the story of our city.
Check the Hiking in NYC Parks page for maps and more information.
(Photo: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.)
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