School Wellness Weekly

06.27.18


Cheers to Another Successful School Year... 
And We Couldn't Have Done It Without You!

Like each year before, we kicked off the 2017-18 school year with a primary goal to provide robust physical and health education throughout our NYC public schools. Though there is much work to be done, together we are meeting that task with a resounding cheer of success! Among our highlights from this year:

More programs from outside partners: A first-ever Wellness Resource Expo united 62 partner organizations and 300 attendees.

Robust professional learning opportunities: Over 2,400 physical and health educators engaged in Citywide professional learning opportunities on Election Day and during our Think-Move-Achieve Conference on Chancellor's Day ( listen to Chancellor Richard A. Carranza's opening remarks at the Think-Move-Achieve Conference below).
Training and resources to support our teacher-leaders: 
  • We launched "PE Coaching" sessions to provide personalized instructional support to K-12 physical education teachers; over 200 elementary and secondary teachers from 178 schools completed coaching cycles. 
  • The first Pathways to PE cohort of 27 physical education teachers finished rigorous coursework and graduated ready to deliver high-quality PE instruction in NYC's public schools.
  • Each month approximately 300 physical education teachers built upon and shared their leadership skills by engaging in 30 Physical Education Professional Learning Communities (PE PLCs) throughout the five boroughs. 

More grants! We launched an exciting new grant opportunity in collaboration with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Target to strengthen new and existing School Wellness Councils, and awarded 99 schools funding to support student or family wellness initiatives. 

LGBTQ+ and inclusivity support: In collaboration with the Office of Counseling and Support Programs, we hosted the first Citywide Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Summit for middle and high school students and trusted adults from their schools.

Thank you to our teachers, staff, administrators, and community-based partners for your ongoing commitment to our students. We’ll take a break from School Wellness Weekly this summer, and return in August with even more resources and opportunities to help you jump-start the 2018-19 school year. Happy summer!
Wellness Highlights
DOE Steps to the Beat of Pride!
During this year's NYC Pride March, Chancellor Richard A. Carranza marched alongside fellow students, teachers, staff, and families, proudly showing that the DOE continues to support and celebrate LGBTQ+ students, staff, and their families. Missed the March? Check out the Chancellor's Tweet and pictures in The Morning Bell. The Chancellor also explains why teaching young people about LGBTQ icons is potentially life-saving in this op-ed piece in Teen Vogue. Don't forget to prioritize the DOE's Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Student Guidelines in your lesson plans to ensure a safe and supportive school environment for all students. Check out this list of books, websites, and activities for students and teachers to reference, study, read, and enjoy throughout the year. (Above photo: Office of School Wellness Programs staff and Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. Photo: David Barone)
P.S. 088 Seneca Champions Health and Fitness with First-Ever Wellness Fair
On 5/9, 24Q088 stood up for wellness: From the positive affirmation cards the students handed out to attendees, the wellness poster one of the teachers made, the matching council hats, the inviting yoga room, to wellness stations set up in the gym (providing sleep, nutrition, social and emotional learning, allergy, fitness, and community resources), their Wellness Fair united the entire school community. Principal Robert Quintana and Assistant Principal Justine Lucas are active supporters of health and wellness initiatives that build a positive school culture; and physical education teacher Christos Tripotseris is part of the thriving 20-member School Wellness Council. Congratulations to P.S. 088 for being a model wellness school for District 24 and for the City! (Photos: Ann DiGregorio)
Physical Education
PE PLC Celebration and a New Partnership with USA Baseball and MLB
On 5/30, nearly 100 teacher leaders and Office of School Wellness Programs staff came together at Major League Baseball (MLB) Headquarters on Park Avenue for our 3rd Annual Physical Education Professional Learning Communities (PE PLCs) Celebration hosted by USA Baseball and MLB. We announced a new partnership with USA Baseball to provide the free Fun at Bat Program to elementary schools in the DOE. Public schools serving grades K-5 can register here to receive equipment, standards-based lesson plans, and a pack of USA Baseball student books starting in September. Questions? Contact Tyler Collins, Tylercolins@USABaseball.com, Director, Youth Programs at USA Baseball. 
Health Education
June 29: Free Sexual Health Education Skills Workshop With National Expert :
Grades 6-12 health teachers, register now to participate in this training on 6/29 led by award-winning educator Dr. Elizabeth Schroeder to learn about resources, strategies, and skills to make your sexual health education units even more effective. Explore best practices in skills-based sexual health education around gender norms, how to work with challenging students, how to deal with diversity in the classroom and foster respect for differing world views. Dr. Schroeder is an award-winning educator, trainer, and author in the areas of sexuality education pedagogy, LGBTQ-affirming best practices, and working with adolescent boys. Register on Eventbrite .
Building the Wellness Community
Parents and Families: Keep the Game On During the Summer
Action for Healthy Kids has great resources to keep nutrition and physical activity a priority after students leave the classroom and head home for the summer. Share these resources with your friends and caregivers:

Market Your Business to the DOE: Free information sessions in July and August
Register for a free session on Friday, 7/20 in Brooklyn or Wednesday, 8/8 in Queens to learn more about how your business or organization can do business with the DOE. Participants will learn:
  • How to Market your Business to the NYC Department of Education; 
  • Resources Available to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises; 
  • How to Qualify Your Business as a Vendor; and 
  • Upcoming Contracting Opportunities.

Guidance Counselors: Agriculture Career Opportunities for Middle and High School Students
Middle and high school guidance counselors can register for a two-day Food & Farm Experience in October (10/17-10/19) in Poughkeepsie to explore a wide range of careers to share with students that involve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and enhance agriculture throughout New York State. Sponsored by the New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education. Register by 7/14 to nominate someone to attend or apply yourself. Questions? Contact Sandra Prokop, (800) 342-4143.

Free Citywide Swimming Lessons for All Ages
Through the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation's Learn to Swim program, NYC residents of all ages can learn to swim with free lessons at the City's outdoor pools in all five boroughs. To register, residents apply through a free online lottery system. 
 
#FreeSummerMeals for Kids and Teens
Help families eat well over the summer by sharing information about SchoolFood’s free summer meals for everyone age 18 and under. Free breakfast and lunch are available through 8/31 at hundreds of public schools, pools, parks, libraries, and housing complexes across the City – including four food truck locations! No I.D. required. See details and menus on the SchoolFood website. Don’t forget to keep track of the #SchoolFoodTruck on Twitter.

Big Apple Award Winner Correction: The 05.17.18 issue of School Wellness Weekly incorrectly announced Mike Rosario's school as being in Queens (29Q118). The school is in the Bronx (10X279).