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School Wellness Weekly
February 27, 2025
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Student- and Family-Friendly NYCPS School Wellness Policy is Here! | |
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Every public school community in New York City has access to key ingredients to create a school community that prioritizes the health and wellness of every student. Some of those key ingredients, like nutritious food, physical education (PE), and health education, are required. Other key ingredients, like physical activity programs, outdoor learning and play, food and sustainability programming, and family and student engagement around wellness, are recommended. A shared understanding of these key ingredients helps school and district staff, families, and partners collaborate better to strengthen school and student wellness together, so students can focus on learning. That’s why schools need a clearly written wellness policy that everyone can make actionable.
This week, NYCPS released its new wellness policy, Empowering Strong and Healthy Students: The New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) School Wellness Policy. Inspired by feedback from students and caregivers, it is written for the first time as an accessible description of expectations, putting in plain language what students should expect from schools to feel nourished, energized, valued, and safe. It outlines key requirements and recommendations, such as:
- PE and physical activity opportunities to help all students develop a physically active lifestyle, including students with disabilities
- Health education that promotes well-being and human dignity, per New York State Education Department regulations
- In-school health services, including developmentally appropriate mental health and reproductive health programs and services
- School food that is free, nutritious, available, and culturally appropriate, with limited marketing of competitive food and beverages outside of school meals
- Food education and sustainability practices, which, for the first time in the policy, acknowledge how a changing world impacts food systems, community health, access to space, and other issues related to health and wellness
Whether you are a PE or health education teacher, caregiver, administrator, sustainability coordinator, food services staff member, or student leader—and whether you are well-versed in championing the wellness policy over the years or brand-new to this work—we urge you to read and share this new version widely.
School staff, for questions or support, reach out to your Office of School Wellness Programs borough team. For additional ways to support the policy in your school, consider starting a School Wellness Council, and continue to subscribe to School Wellness Weekly.
All hyperlinks, including those above, open in a new tab.
(Photos: top right: New York Road Runners; middle right: NYCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services; bottom left: Krisanne Johnson; all others Kirsten Luce)
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NYCPS to LGBTQ+ Students: We See You, Support You, Value You
I’m proud that at New York City Public Schools, we have robust curricula,
resources, and programs to support students who identify as LGBTQ+
and to increase representation and inclusivity within our schools….One of
my commitments as Chancellor is to ensure the safety and wellness of
our students and school communities—specifically, the physical and
emotional safety of every child. We thank you for helping us maintain safe
and inclusive environments in our schools.
— NYCPS Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos
(Photo: Kirsten Luce)
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Read Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos’s full Message for Families on NYCPS Supports for LGBTQ+ Students, from February 25, available in all 10 NYCPS languages.
All school staff: Wondering what you can do to support LGBTQ+ students and create safe and supportive environments for all students? Start by learning!
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Register for an upcoming webinar: Build an Affirming Community with OUT for Safe Schools: Learn about the OUT for Safe Schools® campaign, a national initiative that supports school-based staff to visibly identify as trusted adults to LGBTQ+ students.
Grades K-12:
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Enroll in a WeLearnNYC course and complete on your own time: Examine concepts and terminology like sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and discuss creating an inclusive environment that benefits all students by promoting diversity.
Grades K-12: Introduction to LGBTQ+ Concepts and Terminology Course
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NY Knicks Legend Walt Frazier Visits Bronx P.S. 6 Students
NBA legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier stopped by Districts 12’s P.S. 6, The West Farms School, in the heart of the Bronx on Thursday, February 6 to celebrate reading and basketball in partnership with New York City Public Schools and Jr. Knicks. More than 100 students, joined by Deputy Chancellor Cristina Meléndez and members of the Office of School Wellness Programs and Office of Community Supports and Wellness, listened as Frazier read from his new children’s book, Winning and Grinning. Frazier encouraged students to work hard, believe in themselves, and follow their dreams.
Students had the opportunity to meet Frazier after the assembly and get moving during a basketball clinic in the gymnasium led by the Jr. Knicks.
(Photo: NYC Public Schools)
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New York Road Runners Partnership Expands to Four Boroughs (+ Check Out Free Resources Citywide!)
The Office of School Wellness Programs has partnered with New York Road Runners (NYRR) in a five-year initiative that will expand access to running for middle-school students in over 100 schools across all five boroughs, with the goal of impacting nearly 10,000 students through 2029. Currently in Year One, this program is in 31 schools in four out of the five boroughs.
Free resources are available to families, students, and educators Citywide through NYRR's running-based youth program, Rising New York Road Runners, which serves nearly 100,000 NYC students annually.
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Families: Visit the Rising New York Road Runners Resources for Families for activities that can be done individually or as a family (available in both Spanish and English for grades Pre-K–12).
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NYC high school students: New York Road Runners Run for the Future is a free program that introduces young women* in NYC high schools to running, starting with a summer program where participants train together to complete a 5K. The NYRR Run for the Future Application for the Summer 2025 class is now open, through Friday, April 18. *Note: the word “women” is used to include all who identify as women.
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Learning on the National Level: SHAPE America National Convention and Resources
The Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America is a nonprofit, national member organization dedicated to setting the foundation for well-designed physical education programs and effective skills-based health education nationwide. Since its inception, SHAPE America has established standards for what students should know and be able to do as part of their PE experience.
PE and health education teachers can access the following opportunities and resources:
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PE National Standards: In 2024, SHAPE updated the National Physical Education Standards after a multi-year revision process that included teachers, administrators and researchers from across the country. All PE teachers can download free Educator Kits to see what has changed in the new standards (and why).
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NYCPS to Present Health Ed Research at SHAPE America Convention
How does high-quality health education impact New York City Public Schools students? Research from 2021-2023 shows that middle schools and high schools that focus on four aspects of health education tend to have healthier students.
NYCPS will be on a national stage on April 5 when the Office of School Wellness Programs and partner Sharp Insight present these research results to an audience of educators, policymakers, and public health researchers at the SHAPE America National Convention. Sharing these findings will build greater awareness and support for health education, highlighting NYCPS’ commitment to student well-being and contributing to a more connected and informed education system nationwide.
How can you make a difference?
Check out the SHAPE session details: Demonstrating the Impact of Quality Health Education Using District-Wide Data. For questions or more information about this research, email wellness@schools.nyc.gov.
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Building the Wellness Community | |
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High School Seniors: Yankees-Stonewall $10,000 Scholarship – Apply by April 21
NYC Public Schools, in partnership with the Stonewall Inn and the New York Yankees, are accepting applications for the annual Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship. Five students—one from each borough—will receive a one-time scholarship of $10,000. This scholarship celebrates graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement and impactful support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Encourage your high school seniors to apply by the deadline of Monday, April 21, at 11:59 p.m. Questions? Email LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov.
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Free Comic and Coloring Books for K-5 Healthy Relationships Lessons | |
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The ABCs of Me collection, a no-cost curricular resource from Hip Hop Public Health, helps K-5 students learn about autonomy, boundaries, and consent in friend and family relationships using catchy songs, animated videos, original dances, and standards-aligned lesson plans. Teachers can now request free hard copies of ABCs of Me comic and coloring books to support their instruction. Complete this request form by Friday, March 7. Questions?
Email Paula@hhph.org.
Image: Hip Hop Public Health
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Grades 6-12 Educators: Free Bike Safety and Skills Field Trips
Introduce your students to a green, economical, fun, lifetime fitness activity with a 2-hour Bicyling Field Trip from Bike New York. Students learn pre-ride safety skills (like how to wear a helmet), bike handling, traffic safety skills, gear shifting, and group riding skills. They will then take a short group ride. Brand new riders will learn balancing and pedaling to strengthen bike skills. Bike New York provides bikes, helmets and instructors at eleven locations throughout the city. Questions? Email classes@bike.nyc.
Photo: Bike New York
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Food Education Champion Awards Open! Nominate School Staff by March 7
The Food and Nutrition Education team is excited to honor New York City Public Schools staff (teachers, school aids, administrators) who are supporting the expansion of Food Education at their school. These school staff are ensuring that New York City students have access to the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Do you know a teacher or any other school personnel who goes above and beyond in:
- Educating students about healthy eating and food systems?
- Making sure children have access to nutritious meals?
- Building a positive and sustainable food culture within your school?
If so, nominate them by completing this 2025 Food Education Champion Nomination Form by Friday, March 7. For questions, contact Jeremy Walter at JWalter2@schools.nyc.gov.
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NYCPS Teachers: Bring Cooking to Your Classroom! (Five-Part Series) | |
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Join a virtual five-part series, Hands-on Cooking & Food Ed in the Classroom, led by The Children’s Food Lab. Turn your classroom into a vibrant learning kitchen! Learn practical strategies, access resources, and explore equity considerations in food literacy. Note: Attendance at all five sessions is required to earn CLTE credit.
Register at Hands-on Cooking & Food Ed in the Classroom.
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Part 1: Monday, March 17, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
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Part 2: Monday, March 24, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
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Part 3: Monday, April 7, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
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Part 4: Monday, April 21, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
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Part 5: Monday, April 28, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Bookmark the Food and Nutrition Education Professional Learning Catalog— it’s regularly updated with new sessions!
Photo: The Children's Food Lab
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School Staff: Share Dental Health Lessons and Resources with Students and Families
Oral health is essential to a child’s overall well-being and academic success. Studies show that children with healthy smiles have better attendance, greater confidence, and improved focus in the classroom. In the 2023-2024 school year, approximately 93,000 students from NYC Public Schools were examined in school-based dental programs; of those, 42% had untreated cavities. Together, we can inspire our students to adopt healthy habits that support their wellbeing and happiness.
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Educators and mentors play a vital role in shaping not just the minds of our students, but also their health habits. Here’s how you can support them:
1. Integrate Oral Health into the Classroom:
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Use fun activities like coloring sheets and other dental care activity sheets.
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Utilize oral health lessons like those on WeTeachNYC for teachers of students in Kindergarten and Grade 3.
2. Promote Daily Habits:
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Use morning announcements to remind students about the importance of having healthy oral hygiene habits, such a brushing twice a day and avoiding sugary foods and drinks.
3. Participate in a Free School-Based Dental Program:
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Elect to participate in the no-cost school-based dental program offered by the Office of School Health. Learn how to start a dental program at your school.
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Use these tips for a successful dental program. Schedule on-site visits with your dental provider and focus on collecting consent forms if your school is participating in a school-based dental program already.
4. Collaborate with Families:
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Include oral health tips in parent-teacher communication by highlighting local oral health resources families can access, including a low-cost dental provider in their neighborhood.
For additional support, email NYCDOHMHDental@health.nyc.gov.
(Image: MouthHealthy.org)
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