School Wellness Weekly

10.03.18



7th Annual Big Apple Awards: Recognizing Teacher Excellence in NYC
Do you know a great physical or health education teacher? This year let's take advantage of the NYCDOE's   Big Apple Awards   program to recognize our exceptional educators in public schools.  Be sure to nominate your favorite physical or health educator by the deadline Wednesday, November 14!  Almost anyone can submit a nomination: Students, families, administrators, other teachers, and community representatives. Recipients participate in the  Big Apple Fellowship  and represent teachers Citywide as members of the 2019-20 Chancellor’s Teacher Advisory Group. 
Let's give our PE and Health educators every chance they deserve to be honored for their critical work to ensure that our students are healthy, successful learners, now and throughout their lives. Submit your  nominations  and meet  last year’s recipients ;  spread the word to encourage as many outstanding nominations as possible. Questions? Email  TeacherExcellence@schools.nyc.gov .
Save the date: Our annual Election Day professional learning conference takes place Tuesday, November 6 , at eight sites around the city. Registration information and links coming soon!
Wellness Highlights
Last Chance to Register for the 2018 Think-Move-Achieve Resource Expo: A Back-to-School Marketplace, Tomorrow October 4  
Register  now to attend this showcase of over 50 organizations and City agencies that provide free and low-cost health and physical education, physical activity, and wellness services, programming or products for schools. Browse exhibit tables, meet our partners, and enter our free raffle!  

School Wellness Council Grant Program Application Still Open  
Schools that have not previously received the grant can apply for the $2,500 Implementation Grant to start or strengthen a School Wellness Council. Schools that have received a grant in the past can apply for a $1,000 Continuation Grant to fund their ongoing wellness initiatives. Visit the  School Wellness Portal  to apply by the deadline next  Friday, 10/12.  Review details here:  


Questions? Email  wellnesscouncil@schools.nyc.gov .   
Physical Education
Back by Popular Demand! Physical Education Professional Learning Communities (PE PLCs) 

Starting October 15, meetings take place in every borough during Monday professional learning sessions for K-12 physical education teachers. Network with other PE professionals and work together to strengthen the instructional practice and leadership skills needed to champion PE and wellness in your school communities. Register today for the  10/15  session, and check our  2018-19 Professional Learning catalog  for upcoming sessions throughout the year. 
Health Education
This month’s trainings help health education teachers bring an equity lens to their classroom, keep high school students safe with a Condom Availability Program, and use data to improve student assessments and outcomes: 

October 18: Middle and High School Health Education Basics IV: LGBTQ Affirming Schools.  Grades 6-12 staff,  register  for this full-day workshop in Brooklyn.  

October 19: Condom Availability Program Training.  High school and community-based   staff, including health teachers and educators,  register  for this full-day workshop in the Bronx.  

October 22: Leadership Pathway Training: Implementing Standards-Based Assessments in Health Education.  Grades 6-12 health education teachers, go beyond our Professional Learning Pathway and register for this full-day workshop in Queens to identify essential standards, common assessments, and how to use them in your classroom.  Prerequisite: Health Education Basics I and Health Education Basics II.

October 30-31 Workshop: Cultivating Awareness of Racial Microaggressions in the Health Education Classroom.  Grades K-12 health educators,  register  for a two-day training in Manhattan led by  Access Matters  to undergo a self-reflective process and learn about ways in which racial bias appears in the health education classroom, as well as practice strategies for recognizing and reducing microaggressions in your classroom.  CTLE hours: 10 hours, 40 minutes for both days.
Building the Wellness Community
Get Motivated with Rising NYRR!   
Colder school days are approaching; get your students warmed up and moving with  Rising New York Road Runners (RNYRR) , partnering with schools to give kids the power to become themselves through running and fitness. This free program provides necessary tools, resources and support and is flexible and inclusive - use it in addition to your regular PE class, as an after-school program or in active classroom breaks. Designed for youth in grades PreK - 12.  Apply  today; enrollment includes:  

  • invitation to NYC-based events,  
  • dedicated program support,  
  • digital PLAYbuilder for customizable or downloadable pre-made activities and plans, 
  • incentives for your kids as they reach milestones. 

The program also offers school visits and clinics with professional athletes—and opportunities to get free new running shoes through the  NYRR and New Balance’s 1 for You 1 for Youth program . On 9/28, for example, students at P.S. 360 (10X360) in the Bronx were visited by Puerto Rican Olympian Beverly Ramos and received free New Balance running shoes. As RNYRR Ambassador and Special Advisor to Puerto Rico, Beverly will be helping to bring the program to the children of Puerto Rico.  Watch  News12 coverage of the event. Questions or need more information? Email  Risingnyrr@nyrr.org .  (Photo: Beverly Ramos. P.S. 360 (10X360); September 28, 2018. Photo courtesy: NYRR)

Help Your School Go Green and Reduce Waste
Free training and opportunities from the DOE's Office of Sustainability:

  • October 9: Sustainability Coordinator 101 Training: Training will cover all the necessary information needed to successfully implement your sustainability plan. Register by this Friday, 10/5. Questions? Email nhudlin@schools.nyc.gov. 
  • Sustainability Trainings Open to the Entire School Community: Check out this list of trainings offered by the Office of Sustainability that will help “green” your school community; all are welcome to attend. Register today.   
  • Take the Pledge to Become a Zero Waste School: In partnership with the City of New York Department of Sanitation’s Zero Waste, take the pledge to be a Zero Waste School. Pledge schools complete a series of recycling actions throughout the year. To aid your efforts towards Zero Waste; receive educational resources, one-on-one consultation and recycling bins. Questions? Email clangone@schools.nyc.gov.

Balancing Me, You, Us: Healthy Teen Relationship Conference  
Grades 9-12 students and chaperones,  register  to attend this conference on  10/19 , from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at  John Jay College . The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, NYC Department of Education, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and John Jay College invite high school students to a convening to explore ourselves, our relationships, and our communities. Hear from advocates, practitioners, and survivors; network; and build strategies for promoting social-emotional well-being. All students must be accompanied by a chaperone. Chaperones can register themselves and up to 10 young people and will receive permission slips upon registration. Questions? Email OCDVAcademy@ocdv.nyc.gov .
Office of School Health Corner
Collect School Health Forms
The DOE, parents, and school communities are united in wanting students to feel healthy and comfortable during their school day. Remind parents and guardians of students with chronic health conditions to complete a medication administration form (MAF) so that their child can take their medicine at school. Submitting an MAF allows the school nurse to help students take their medicine at school if needed, and treat students in case of a medical emergency. Students with an MAF are less likely to go to the emergency room for treatment. There are 5 different MAFs depending on the child’s condition –  Asthma ,  Diabetes ,  Allergies and Anaphylaxis , a   General   MAF for any other medication needs, and a   Request for Medical Treatment . Find out more about   health services   offered in school. 

Flu Prevention is Here!  
Seasonal influenza  (flu) is a respiratory infection that causes fever and a cough or sore throat. The flu can be life-threatening to people with asthma or compromised immunity, especially in children. It is most common in the fall and winter months. Here are some ways you can prevent the flu: 

  • Encourage parents and students to get a flu shot. Beginning this school year, the flu shot is required for all students between ages 6 months to 5 years entering school, pre-K, day care, or child care. View a chart of all immunizations required for school. Tell parents to talk to their doctor about getting a flu shot for themselves and their children. Share the NYC HealthMap to find the nearest location.  
  • Teach students to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is ideal (roughly the time it takes to sing the ABC song). Learn more about handwashing.  
  • Teach students to keep their hands away from their faces and to avoid their mouth, nose, and eyes.  
  • Cough or sneeze into your sleeves – not hands! Teach students to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues or the inside of an elbow.  

In case you, a colleague, or a student gets the flu: Stay home, get rest, and drink plenty of liquids. If you or a student has a medical condition such as heart disease, immune deficiency, diabetes, or severe asthma, and symptoms are getting worse, call or visit a doctor or go to the hospital. Learn more about  seasonal flu treatment . 
Grant Opportunities
Hurry: $2,000 School Garden Grants for K-12 Schools   
Nature Conservancy’s  Nature Works Everywhere  program is awarding $2,000 grants to 50 schools nationwide to build, amend, or revitalize school garden projects. Proposed projects should use “green infrastructure" to address local environmental challenges. See details and  apply  by 5:00 p.m. on  10/5 . 

Green-Up Your School Wellness Council with the Garden Grant Program  
Looking to start a new garden this school year or need support with an existing one? Created in partnership with FoodCorps, the Whole Kids Foundation  Garden Grant program  provides a $2,000 grant to support a new or existing edible garden.  Apply  by 6:00 p.m. on 10/15 .