School Wellness Weekly

09.06.18


Back-to-School
and Ready to Deliver High-Quality Health and Physical Education
Our mission is clear: to partner with schools to create conditions where health and physical education thrive and engage the school community with programs to support student well-being.
 
This year, with the tireless efforts of our educators, school administrators, and community partners, we continue this work by keeping one thing at its core: our students. Educating our young people to take care of their minds and their bodies is a foundational component of school wellness; we are fortunate that the City and District’s leadership hold this dear.

A deep commitment from Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Richard A. Carranza came at the beginning of the summer with the launch of Health Ed Works , a four-year, $24 million initiative that will increase resources for schools to ensure more students receive comprehensive, high-quality, medically-accurate, and age-appropriate health education. Health Ed Works will build on the successes and lessons learned from the DOE's PE Works initiative , and will continue to establish health and physical education as core academic priorities for our students, families, and educators.

We will provide ongoing Health Ed Works updates in upcoming issues of School Wellness Weekly . For now, we’re excited to continue working with you this school year as we move the needle a little more to ensure every student, in every public school is on the path to achieve physical, mental, and social wellness now, and throughout their lives. Let’s get to work!
Wellness Highlights
“I would absolutely recommend implementing Move-to-Improve to any single one of my administrator colleagues, just because it’s the easiest way to really meet that compliance we are all held accountable to... Every single principal should have it in their school.”
— Dr. Natalie Russo, Principal, PS 145


Time to Move-to-Improve with Your Students!
Just in time for the start of the school year, check out a new Move-to-Improve video collection available on WeTeachNYC to support elementary school teachers trained to use the program as part of their daily classroom instruction. See how trained teachers across the City are implementing physical activity into their classrooms. The collection includes: Implementing Move-to-Improve , a video designed to assist schools with integrating the program as part of their daily routine, as well as: Testimonials: What Schools Are Saying About Move-to-Improve featuring administrators, teachers, and students describing why they love the program. Get students more active, engaged, and focused throughout the day, while helping elementary schools meet physical education requirements.

Trained school staff have access to a new, full-color program activity guide, printable posters and visual aid cards for the classroom, and fact sheets and other resources from the Move-to-Improve Program Materials Collection on WeTeachNYC . Questions? Email MTI@schools.nyc.gov .

Check out the Move-to-Improve promotional and Train-the-Trainer overview videos on the new DOE family website . (Above photo: Dr. Natalie Russo, Principal, PS 145 (03M145). Photo: NYC DOE)

School Wellness Council Grant Program 2018-19
The School Wellness Council Grant application is now open; apply by Friday, October 12, 2018. Schools that have not previously received the grant can apply for the $2,500 Implementation Grant to start or strengthen a School Wellness Council. Continuing schools that that have received a grant in the past can apply for a $1,000 Continuation Grant to fund their ongoing wellness initiatives. To apply, schools should visit the School Wellness Portal and view the 2018-19 grant resources:


For questions, contact the School Wellness Council Team by emailing wellnesscouncil@schools.nyc.gov .
Looking for New Wellness Calendars and Posters? We Have You Covered!
While supplies last, NYC public schools can order up to 50 calendars and up to 9 posters featuring students' winning designs from the 2018 School Wellness Campaign Contest . Schools have priority; community-based organizations will be contacted if quantities remain. Submit your orders ; allow two weeks for delivery. 
Register for the 2018 Think-Move-Achieve Resource Expo
In partnership with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, the Office of School Wellness Programs invites teachers, school staff, and parents to discover over sixty partner organizations to collaborate with for wellness at the 2018 Think-Move-Achieve Resource Expo: A Back-to-School Wellness Marketplace on Thursday, October 4, 2018 in Queens. Find free and low-cost resources and programs to bring back to your school communities for the 2018-19 school year. Register today to secure your spot. 
Physical Education
K-12 Physical Education Teachers: Get Personalized Instructional Support with “PE Coaching”
Apply now for our new PE Coaching sessions to work one-on-one with a PE Instructional Coach from the Office of School Wellness Programs. You’ll collaborate with a coach in person to develop custom instructional strategies and goals that have a direct impact on student engagement and learning, your classroom environment, and your ability to integrate new activities and units. Over 200 teachers so far have received personalized support to benefit their instruction and student learning. Coaches will personalize support for your needs, the unique elements of your PE program, and your school environment. Sessions can begin as early as 9/6. Questions? Email PEWorks@schools.nyc.gov .

Physical Education Professional Learning Community (PE PLC): Calling for Facilitators
To continue to support teacher leadership development and collaborative learning, we are inviting K-12 PE teachers to apply to be a PE PLC facilitator. Guide educators during PE PLC meetings and work together to solve problems of practice to improve instruction and effectiveness to increase student learning. Educators meet regularly, by district and grade band. Apply by Tuesday, 9/18, 11:59 p.m. and you will be notified by email. Selected educators are required to attend a two-day training on Friday, 9/28 and Saturday, 9/29. Questions? Email PEWorks@schools.nyc.gov .  
Health Education
High Schools: Steps to Kicking Off Your Condom Availability Program (CAP)
Schools serving grades 9-12: As you jump-start the school year, be sure to complete these back-to-school requirements for your CAP program so students and their families have what they need to stay safe and informed:

  • Share the CAP Parent/Guardian Notification Letter with parents and legal guardians of new students (letter available in all ten languages).
  • Ensure students know about CAP by sharing the CAP Student Notification Letter with them.
  • Order free external and internal condoms, lubricant, and educational brochures.
  • Request posters and other informational materials to inform your students about CAP.
  • Check your condom supplies from last school year to make sure that your condoms did not expire or become damaged during the hot summer months.

Email CAP2@schools.nyc.gov to request forms and resources, and to learn about upcoming CAP training dates.
Building the Wellness Community
It’s Easy as... Riding a Bike! But You Need the Basics First
The Office of School Wellness Programs is partnering with Bike New York to provide free bike education field trips for middle and high school students. Students learn how to ride a bike for the first time; those who know how to ride get basic bike handling and safety skills. The field trips will take place from 9/24 until 11/16, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (two-hour sessions). Request a field trip today! Questions? Email wellnesspartnerships@schools.nyc.gov or Rich Convoy, rconvoy@bike.nyc .  

Don’t forget to request a free Bike Safety Student Assembly for your grades K-12 students to learn safe cycling, bike handling skills, and the rules of the road. Request an interactive school presentation today! ( Above photo: Bike New York Event. Photo: Samantha Dorfler )

Free Organic Food Cookout in Brooklyn
Hosted by Just Food and cultivated with the Tehuti Ma’at Community Garden, come to a free plant-based BBQ this Saturday, 9/8 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Check out three community chefs and enjoy food demos, raffles, music, a scavenger hunt with prizes and more. No one will be turned away and donations are encouraged to keep the garden thriving. Register today. 
Office of School Health Corner
Getting to Know School Health
The Office of School Health (OSH) is dedicated to the health of our students, because healthy students are better learners. OSH is a joint program of the DOE and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, two agencies working together to bring our students the best care possible while in school. OSH provides students with in-school disease management and preventative health programs. This includes our devoted school nurses and physicians , vision screening teams , school mental health program , asthma case managers , health educators , school dental staff , and a team of central office staff working behind the scenes to support our schools. Click on the links for contact information.
Grant Opportunities
Ready, Set, Go! Marathon Kids National Grant Now Open
Starting now through 9/14, talk to your school administration and apply to fund a run club on behalf of your school. Complete the grant application to receive:

  • Exclusive Nike t-shirts and rewards;
  • Running club tools and curriculum;
  • And dedicated support.

Last year, Marathon Kids distributed more than $1 million in grant funding to schools across the country. Students reaped the benefit of more physical activity, better self-esteem, improved school performance, and healthier bodies and minds. Grant portal closes 9/14 .

Whole Kids Foundation US Gardens Grant Program
Created in partnership with FoodCorps, the Garden Grant program provides a $2,000 grant to support a new or existing edible garden at K-12 schools, or 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations working in partnership with a K-12 school. Apply by 10/15 . Questions? Register for an application webinar on 10/4 or email grants@wholekidsfoundation.org .