| | |
School Wellness Weekly
April 29, 2025
| | Move Your Way in May! Ideas for Students, Families, and Educators | | |
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of depression, boost mood, and improve cognition and academic achievement for youth.1 Since 1983, U.S. Presidents have proclaimed May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to promote the importance of physical activity and sports participation.
Children and teens need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day—yet we know that not all young people in New York City have safe, affordable access to playgrounds, parks, and sports programs. That’s why public schools play a big role in helping students stay physically active, and why physical education (PE) is a required academic subject. In addition to providing health benefits, engaging in PE helps students develop essential motor skills, personal and social skills, and core character values such as resilience, fairness, and respect.
New York City Public Schools provides many school-based opportunities for students to move and play sports throughout the day, including PE, Move-to-Improve for elementary students, and the CHAMPS Sports and Fitness Program. Access Empowering Strong and Healthy Students: The NYCPS School Wellness Policy, for a summary of PE and physical activity requirements and available programs.
If you are a health and/or physical education teacher — thanks for all you do!
Check out the Physical Education section in this issue for a whole new crop of professional learning opportunities in May, and share these resources with students and families to help them add more movement to their day:
1) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2018.
All hyperlinks, including those above, open in a new tab.
(Photo collage: Courtesy of Office of School Wellness Programs)
| | Champion Spotlight:
A Focus on Teaching Health Education at Brooklyn Arbor School | | |
Elementary teacher Beth Reed is a 19-year veteran of New York City Public Schools and brings a passion for health education to her work. We recently visited Beth in her fourth-grade classroom at the Brooklyn Arbor School, P.S. 414 in Williamsburg (14K414), and sat in on a lesson from Growing Up and Staying Safe: New York City K-12 HIV Education Curriculum. We spoke to Beth after class to learn more about her commitment to teaching health.
What do you love most about teaching health education?
Every child connects to the material and lessons. Either they or a family member has been through some physical or mental challenge, and they can relate in an inspiring way. Health education is day-to-day life, and without standards, lessons, materials, conversations and interactions, we would be nothing. We must prioritize our health and the health of our friends and family and be able to advocate for this work. I never had health education myself, and I wanted to ensure that would never happen in my classroom for our future.
What continues to inspire you?
Inspiration is the kids; it is always the kids. Even on tough days, we show up for our students, and that is our superpower.
What is your favorite health education activity or lesson?
The fourth grade “Disease Detectives” is one of my all-time favorite lessons. I’ve been teaching the HIV/AIDS lessons for 19 years, and in the early days, viruses and disease were not relatable for students. I have found since the COVID-19 pandemic that kids are super engaged, participatory, and curious about how to stay healthy and make safe decisions. The reality of the pandemic in NYC hit us all hard and the kids feel it. These lessons help reach all students to help give them the tools to stay well. The newly revised HIV/AIDS lessons are student-focused; they are standards-based and bring engagement right from lesson one. I love the feeling that NYC and New York State are behind me in teaching these crucial life lessons.
If you could share any tips or resources with other health education teachers, what would it be?
My advice would be to keep it fun, engaging, and direct. Our charge as health educators is a huge lift and an important one. No matter what is happening, we know students will be there every morning and it is our responsibility to be there for them—for that smile, high-five, hug, and lessons for lifelong learners.
How has your health education course positively impacted your school or community?
Health and wellness are like sunshine pouring through the entire school community. I love speaking with families in the school yard and online about how health education has touched their kids and their lives. The new menu items from OFNS [Office of Food and Nutrition Services] in the kitchen support the work we are doing, and the students are making the connections.
Any final thoughts or advice for other teachers who are teaching health education?
Although this work isn’t easy and at times beyond difficult, we must know that what we do is crucial to the next generation and generations to come. NYC students depend on us to share accurate health education facts in an age-appropriate and engaging manner, and that is my “why” and how I keep going. We are beyond grateful to teach and live in a city that supports this work.
| |
|
Office of School Wellness Programs Tip: Educators, access the health education pacing guides on WeTeachNYC for links to all recommended curricula and a suggested order of units and lessons:
Share HIV Lesson Overviews for Parents, available on the NYCPS website:
(Photo: Courtesy of Beth Reed)
| | May is Mental Health Awareness Month | | |
Mental health affects all educators, from how we feel as individuals to how we can support and show up for our students, to understanding our families’ and school community’s needs. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, check out the following resources and events:
May 19: From Struggle to Strength - Reducing Teacher Burnout Webinar
Join the Office of School Wellness Programs and the Healing Schools Project for a workshop on addressing educator burnout and stress management. This session invites school leaders and educators to shift the narrative from “tough it out” to “what needs to change?” (Not CTLE eligible).
Grades K-12: Monday, May 19, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
New Respect for All Webinars this Spring
Visit the Respect For All Professional Development Calendar for numerous webinars through the end of the school year to help school staff support students, families, and their mental health. Topics include bullying, de-escalation, understanding racism, protecting transgender youth, supporting students with disabilities, and more. Check back often for updates. Questions? Email RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov.
May Events from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of NYC
Check out the wide range of events and activities on the NAMI NYC 2025 Mental Health Awareness page, including a Mayoral candidate town hall, street festival, art exhibition, theater piece, and more. Sign up for an event or share these resources with your school community.
(Image: Courtesy of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA])
It's Wellness Fair Season!
| |
District 25 hosted Wellness Day: A Celebration of Health and Happiness on Saturday, March 15 at Commonpoint in Bay Terrace, Queens. School communities and families participated in fitness demos, learned about healthy food, and connected with community partners.
(Photos: Courtesy of District 25)
| | |
NYC Teacher Thomas Gelardi Named SHAPE National Elementary PE Teacher of the Year
SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators) announced and celebrated the 2025 National Teacher of the Year recipients on Friday, April 4, at the SHAPE America National Convention & Exposition in Baltimore. Congratulations to Thomas Gelardi of P.S. 173, the Fresh Meadows School (26Q173), for being named the SHAPE America Elementary PE Teacher of the Year! Gelardi teaches in District 26 in Queens, where his school is a Move-to-Improve All-Star school.
The SHAPE America Teacher of the Year awards recognize outstanding teaching performance and the ability to inspire today's youth to engage in lifelong physical activity. Five winners were acknowledged for their excellence in adapted physical education, health education, and physical education.
(Photo: Courtesy of Office of School Wellness Programs)
| | New Professional Learning Opportunities in May and June | | |
Join the Office of School Wellness Programs and trusted partners to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month with a variety of new professional learning opportunities!
Join Positive Coaching Alliance for Coaching Webinar Series
Join experts from Positive Coaching Alliance for two webinars this spring, focused on sharing positive coaching strategies from industry experts and on discussions with your PE and coach colleagues about how these can best impact your students.
-
May 12: Developing Competitors through Positive Coaching Webinar Participants will explore research and experiences of great coaches and teachers across the country and strategize how to pursue sustained success for students, both on and off the field.
Grades 6-12: Monday, May 12, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. (CTLE: 90 minutes)
-
June 2: Developing Mental Wellness through Positive Coaching Webinar Coaches will receive hands-on tools to create a positive sports culture within their team – one where athletes develop and build connections in an environment high on both challenge and support to contribute to athlete mental wellness.
Grades 6-12: Monday, June 2, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. (CTLE: 90 minutes)
| | |
May 19: Teaching Bike Education and Biking in NYC Schools Webinar
In honor of National Bike Safety Month in May, join Bike New York and the NYC Department of Transportation for a one-hour virtual workshop for educators to help students—and themselves—embrace the lifelong skill of bike riding. Learn about ways to incorporate more cycling opportunities into your school day or after-school programs—no prior biking experience required! Not CTLE eligible.
Grades K-12: Monday, May 19, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
May 20: Get Ready for NYRR’s Global Running Day with Running Start Webinar
Join New York Road Runners as they introduce the fundamentals of running for your students. In anticipation of NYRR’s Global Running Day Virtual Run on June 4, join this webinar and see how your school can participate in this virtual celebration and learn about free resources for educators and activities for students and families to use over the summer to stay active.
Grades K-12: Monday, May 20, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. (CTLE: 60 minutes)
May 22: Coaches Summit – Full Day Leadership Development Event
Join coaches from Exos and Wellness in the Schools for this free, in-person event in Manhattan, designed to give NYC educators techniques to elevate their PE and athletic programs. Learn from leading experts in sport psychology and human performance, and gain insights into mindset, nutrition, movement, and recovery to share with students and colleagues.
Grades K-12: Thursday, May 22, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (CTLE: 360 minutes)
(Photos: Courtesy of U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
| | |
Health Education Promotes Student Mental Health
Schools can play a key role in promoting student mental health—and one of the most important tools we have to do so is health education. In New York State, schools are required to include mental health lessons as part of health education (access the NYCPS website to brush up on Health Education Requirements).
Check out the video above, Health Education: Addressing Youth Mental Health, for a look inside three NYCPS classrooms where health education lessons help students learn skills to care for their mental health.
(Video: Office of School Wellness Programs)
| | |
What can school leaders and health teachers do?
Continue to use the New York City Health Education Scope and Sequence and recommended curricula to plan standards-based lessons, including in the Social, Emotional, and Mental Health unit:
Share mental health resources with students and families:
| | Building the Wellness Community | | |
Supporting Students of Immigrant Families: Webinars in May
Join Youth Communication in collaboration with the NYCPS Respect for All initiative for a webinar to identify ways that stress, anxiety, and trauma impact our students of immigrant families. Participants will discuss student strengths, how we can collaborate with one another, and strategies for how to better support our students. Register for one of four virtual sessions. Questions? Email RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov. (Grades K-12: CTLE 120 minutes)
| | |
NYCPS Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher Preparation Spring Program
The New York City Public Schools Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher Preparation Program (YMTP²) offers free virtual Yoga and Mindfulness sessions from early morning through evenings in April and May; visit the Spring 2025 calendar for info. YMTP² graduates are leading these daily sessions to support the wellness of NYCPS educators, and to support the training of their newest cohort. All NYCPS educators are welcome to join hour-long offerings on Zoom.
For additional information, email yogamindfulness@schools.nyc.gov.
| | |
School Staff: Register Your Team for the NYCPS Youth Climate Summit
The NYCPS annual Youth Climate Summit takes place May 21 (middle schools) and May 22 (high schools) on Governor’s Island. School teams will learn about environmental justice, network with peers and climate-focused organizations, and make a climate action plan for their school or community. Each school may send 2-5 students and one or two adult chaperones. Learn more and register at on.nyc.gov/YouthClimateSummit.
Youth Vaping Prevention Video Contest: Cash Prizes Up to $500
To celebrate youth commitment to ending the vaping epidemic, CATCH Global Foundation invites middle and high school students to submit video public service announcements (PSA) that promote prevention strategies. Students are responsible for creating the PSA and can seek assistance from teachers or other district staff members. The submission deadline is Friday, May 30, with contest winners announced in June. Cash prizes from $100 to $500 will be awarded to the student winners.
For details and to submit, visit the contest webpage.
(Photo: Courtesy of NYCPS Office of Energy and Sustainability)
| | |
Bring Cooking to Your Classroom: Five-Part Series (Back by Popular Demand!)
The NYCPS Food and Nutrition Education team is offering NYCPS teachers the virtual five-part series "Hands-on Cooking & Food Ed in the Classroom" on Mondays from May 5 to June 9, 2:45 – 3:45 p.m., led by The Children’s Food Lab. Turn your classroom into a vibrant learning kitchen! Learn practical strategies, access valuable resources, and explore equity considerations in food literacy. Attendance at all five sessions is required to earn CLTE credit.
Access the schedule and register: Hands-on Cooking & Food Ed in the Classrooms.
Bookmark the Food and Nutrition Education Professional Learning Catalog— it’s regularly updated with new sessions.
| | | | |
