December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month | | |
Each year on December 1, World AIDS Day reminds us of the importance of awareness, compassion, and education in the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS.
This World AIDS Day, the theme You Can End New HIV Cases by 2030 speaks to the lessons and practices that educators and school staff can employ throughout the school year to ensure that all K-12 students know how to stay safe and healthy. In NYC Public Schools (NYCPS), the commitment to preventing HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS, is ongoing through health education, including HIV lessons, and the Condom Availability Program (CAP). Created in the early 1990s in response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic, CAP was designed to ensure that high school students have access to accurate sexual health information, free condoms, and referrals to health and support services. Over the years, it has grown into a vital part of the city’s health education efforts, helping students make informed, responsible decisions about their well-being and relationships.
New York State requires annual instruction on HIV and AIDS for every student in grades K–12. Read more below about CAP resources and training for school staff, and how educators can implement Growing Up and Staying Safe: New York City K-12 HIV Education Curriculum.
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(Photo: UNAIDS. Design by Office of School Wellness Programs.)
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Honoring World AIDS Day: A Legacy of Education Through the Condom Availability Program
Today, the NYC Public Schools Condom Availability Program (CAP)—a required part of the NYCPS HIV education program—continues to make a powerful impact across the city, thanks to the dedication of more than 1,600 NYCPS staff members trained by the Office of School Wellness Programs to support the program. CAP-trained staff operate Health Resource Rooms: safe, welcoming spaces where students can access resources and have open, judgment-free conversations about their health. Underscoring the importance of this commitment, high schools are required to have at least two NYCPS staff members who have been trained to implement CAP.
High School educators and staff: The next CAP webinar series starts December 3. Staff must register and attend all three webinars to become CAP-certified and eligible to support their school’s Health Resource Room. All webinars are CTLE-eligible. Register today at the links below:
High school educators and school staff, visit the CAP section of the Office of School Wellness Programs Support Center for guidance, and reach out to your Office of School Wellness Programs borough team for questions.
(Photos: High School Health Resource Room Displays. Photos by Office of School Wellness Programs.)
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For World AIDS Day, Commit to Growing Up and Staying Safe
Thank you to the thousands of NYCPS educators who are using Growing Up and Staying Safe: New York City K-12 HIV Education Curriculum, updated and introduced in Fall 2023. As a reminder, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires annual instruction on HIV and AIDS for every student in grades K–12. The updated curriculum includes engaging lessons and resources for every grade, and features skills-based, student-centered, age-appropriate, and culturally responsive content that reflects the advances in HIV prevention and treatment guidelines.
School leaders and teachers, learn more about programming the K-12 HIV lessons, and gain the confidence and skills you need to teach this important content:
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Webinar: Strategies for Curriculum Mapping in Physical Education
PE teachers: Register for the 90-minute webinar Strategies for Elementary Curriculum Mapping in Physical Education to learn how to effectively plan and prioritize physical education learning outcomes and transferable skills. Learn key strategies for designing a curriculum that builds students’ physical literacy and supports both academic and lifelong success. Register for your grade band:
Register for Free Coach Camp in Staten Island
NYCPS PE teachers and coaches: Register below and join an in-person, three-hour Coach Camp workshop with coaches from Exos and Wellness in the Schools, offered in collaboration with the Office of School Wellness Programs and District 31. Participants will dive deep into teaching and coaching topics, share best practices, and collaborate with NYC PE teachers and coaches. Additional Coach Camp offerings and locations will be offered in 2026.
Coach Camp: Strategies to Enhance Your Coaching Skills and Impact in the Classroom
Grades K-8: Free Holiday-themed PE Activities
The holiday season is the perfect time to infuse physical education lessons with festive cheer and creative movement! PE teachers can engage students in joyful, themed activities that celebrate the season while keeping them active and energized. Quick activities to try include these from OPEN (Online Physical Education Network):
| | Move-to-Improve Monthly Moves | | |
Move to Improve (MTI), NYCPS’s classroom-based physical activity program for grades K–5 (and grade 6 in K-6, K-8 and K-12 schools), helps schools build a culture of movement all year long. MTI All-Star schools are schools with at least 85% of their eligible teachers trained. These schools can supplement their PE time and frequency toward meeting NYSED PE requirements.
(Video: Move-to-Improve "Listen Up." Office of School Wellness Programs.)
| | MTI Monthly Moves: December | |
MTI Activity
Listen Up
Planning a shared reading activity with your students? Add physical activity to review academic concepts.
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Cool Down
Smell the Flowers, Blow the Petals
Use imagery to help students cool down: Inhale to “smell the flowers” and exhale to “blow out the petals.”
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Movement
Pogo Jump
Use this energizing aerobic fitness move and encourage students to jump on their imaginary pogo stick!
| | (Images: Move-to-Improve video stills and Visual Aid Cards. Office of School Wellness Programs.) | | External Partner Opportunities | | |
Stay Active During Winter Recess: Kids Week With the Urban Park Rangers
While school is out for Winter Recess, New York City parks are open and provide plenty of opportunities for kids to stay physically active. During the free Kids Week With the Urban Park Rangers, children ages 12 and under can explore nature, learn through play, and discover the outdoors in fun and engaging ways. Featured activities include Move with Nature Stretching Party, Search for Seals, hikes, scavenger hunts, and much more.
Visit NYC Parks Events for more activities for New Yorkers of all ages.
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High School Students: Get Certified This Winter to Be a Lifeguard in Summer 2026
Do you know a swimmer in your life who will be at least 16 years old by July 2026? NYC Parks is hiring paid lifeguards for the summer 2026 season. Students can gain leadership experience, stay active, and make a positive impact in their community while earning a competitive summer wage.
Learn more and register for a qualifying test to begin the process.
Those hoping to serve as a lifeguard for 2026 must enroll in one of the currently scheduled exams. Candidates also must:
- be at least 16 years old by July 18, 2026
- pass a vision test (corrective lenses are not permitted during the exam)
- swim 50 yards in 50 seconds or less
(Photo: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation)
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Save the Date: SHAPE America National Convention, March 17–21, 2026
The Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) is the nation’s leading organization for professionals in school-based health and physical education. Each spring, SHAPE America hosts its National Convention & Expo, a five-day event filled with expert-led workshops, networking opportunities, and an expo showcasing the latest resources and innovations in the field.
In 2026, the convention will take place Tuesday, March 17 to Saturday, March 21 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Attendees connect with fellow educators, researchers, administrators, and future professionals from across the country. Visit the SHAPE America Convention website to learn more. Early-bird registration discounts are available until January 28, 2026.
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