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School Wellness Weekly
January 24, 2025
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Honoring Black History, Respect for Diversity, and Inclusive Practices in New York City | |
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This past Monday, January 20, was a federal holiday to honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an inspirational civil rights leader whose “moral vision and courage helped bend the arc of history toward justice," as this year's federal proclamation states. Soon, we move into February to continue the focus on racial equality and inclusivity with Black History Month and New York City Public Schools’ Respect for All week events and activities.
Black History Month is a time to recognize the rich legacy of Black history and culture, and the contributions of Black Americans, that shape our city and our school communities. It is also a time to recognize the impact of continued racism and the need to find ways to speak out against and end racial injustice. All of us can, in our daily practices, do our part to promote respect for diversity, acceptance, and understanding, as the NYCPS Respect for All program underscores.
The Office of School Wellness Programs is committed to supporting educators and school leaders to provide all NYCPS students with high-quality, inclusive health and physical education. Both of these required academic subjects equip students with the skills they need to promote respect, embrace diversity, and foster team and community building.
Read below in the “Physical Education” and “Health Education” sections for opportunities and resources to help support inclusive instruction and build healthy and safe schools.
Note: All hyperlinks in this issue, including those above, open in a new tab.
(Image: Jillian Roed, School Wellness Poster Contest winner, 2018.)
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Monday, January 27: Secondary Professional Development Day
Last Chance to Register!
Teachers in high schools and grades 6-12 schools, join the Office of School Wellness Programs and partner organizations!
Grades 6-12: Visit our Secondary Professional Learning Catalog page and register for the High School PD Day, CTLE-eligible offerings that fit your needs.
There's something for everyone, with a number of new health education and PE webinars to choose from. Space is limited and sessions will close as they reach capacity. Educators may register for one, two, or three 90-minute live webinars, offered at the following times:
- Session 1: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Session 2: 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- Session 3: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Celebrate Respect for All Week, February 10 – 14
New York City Public Schools highlights its commitment to keeping schools safe, supportive, and free from discrimination through Respect for All Week — a time to celebrate unique identities and promote respect for diversity among students, staff, and communities. This year the week runs from Monday, February 10 through Friday, February 14.
Parents and Students:
Educators:
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School Staff: Create Safe and Supportive Environments for LGTBQ+ Students
Enroll in the WeLearnNYC course and complete on your own time:
Register for the upcoming webinar Build an Affirming Community with OUT for Safe Schools:
- Grades K-12: Tuesday, February 25, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. - 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. Learn how to find and recommend affirming and age-appropriate resources for students.
(Photo: Courtesy OUT for Safe Schools®)
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Learn How Human Trafficking Impacts NYC Youth: Register for Training
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and there is still time to sign up for free trainings on this important topic. Visit the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) Human Trafficking Awareness Month Resources for more information.
Public training: The NYC Administration for Children’s Services is offering several virtual workshops through Friday, January 31. Access the schedule and register via the 2025 Child Trafficking Prevention Conference flyer.
Educator training:
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Human Trafficking 101: OSYD offers Human Trafficking 101 training every Friday. Visit the (OSYD) Portal and click Professional Development Application to access the training calendar. For questions, contact Donna Brailsford, Citywide Director for Child Abuse Prevention, Office of Safety and Youth Development, at dbrails@schools.nyc.gov.
(Image: NYC Administration for Children's Services Trafficking Awareness Campaign)
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Upcoming Webinars to Support Inclusivity in PE
In honor of Respect for All Week, consider joining one of the following webinars to help promote inclusivity in your PE Program.
Assessing Inclusion in PE: Using the Lieberman-Brian Rating Scale for PE (LIRSPE)
Including ALL Students in PE: Understanding Disabilities
Reminder: NYC FITNESSGRAM Deadline is March 2025
NYC FITNESSGRAM is an annual health-related fitness assessment for students in grades K-12 that helps students and their families develop personal goals for lifelong fitness. Students complete the assessments in physical education class. The 2024-2025 deadline to enter student scores in the NYC FITNESSGRAM web-based application is Friday, March 28, 2025.
Visit the 2024-2025 NYC FITNESSGRAM Pacing Guides for planning guidance, and get answers to Frequently Asked Questions in the NYC FITNESSGRAM Support Center.
PE teachers have two options to gain access to the NYC FITNESSGRAM application to enter student scores:
Self-Guided Course: Enroll in this self-guided WeLearnNYC course and complete on your own time.
Live Webinar: Register for the Introduction to NYC FITNESSGRAM webinar, which includes time for Q&A.
(Photo: Kirsten Luce)
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Webinar: Including Students with Disabilities in Sexual Health Ed
In honor of Respect for All Week, consider joining the following webinar to help promote inclusivity in your classroom. Examine the factors that may affect students with disabilities and the instruction they receive for sexual health education, and explore instructional strategies and self-advocacy tools.
Sexual Health Education: Promoting Inclusivity for Students with Disabilities
Reminder: Schedule and Teach Annual HIV Education Lessons
New York City requires annual instruction on HIV and AIDS for every student in grades K–12, using the Growing Up and Staying Safe: New York City K-12 HIV Education Curriculum. Did you know that the curriculum includes lessons on developing empathy? Communicating with trusted adults? That first-graders get a lesson called “Superhero Immune System!”?
HIV lessons teach basic healthy behaviors and skills—including advocacy and communication—that prevent illness and help students care for themselves throughout their lives. Students in grades K-6 must receive 5 lessons per year; students in grades 7-12 must receive 6 lessons per year, from Growing Up and Staying Safe.
Parents, guardians, and families: Learn more by accessing HIV Lesson Overviews for Parents on the NYCPS Health Education webpage under "Family Resources."
Educators: Learn more about the HIV lessons and how to teach them.
Self Guided Course: Enroll in this introductory WeLearnNYC course and complete on your own time.
Live Webinar: Register for one of the upcoming webinars on HIV Education: Exploring Curriculum Concepts and Skills.
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K-5 Health Teachers: Updated Elementary Health Education Pacing Guide
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and a great time to promote the benefits of oral hygiene to our younger students.
Use this newly updated Elementary Health Education Pacing Guide as a key resource to deliver a comprehensive and effective health education program. We’ve updated the pacing guide to include new oral health care lessons for grades K and 3. These skills-based lessons provide students with valuable opportunities to learn and practice essential dental hygiene habits, promoting overall health.
(Images: Top: NYCPS Inclusive Schools NYC. Right: MouthHealthy.org)
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Building the Wellness Community | |
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Paid Opportunity for High School Students: Become a NYC Parks Lifeguard
The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation is recruiting NYC Parks lifeguards for New York City’s many beaches and pools for the 2025 summer season. To qualify, individuals must be at least 16 years of age by the start of employment. New lifeguards start at $22 per hour and returning lifeguards will get a $1,000 bonus. Candidates will need to take and pass the Lifeguard Qualifying Test, as well as a vision and swim exam. Tryouts will take place in indoor pools over the winter.
Visit the Become an NYC Parks Lifeguard page for complete information and instructions.
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Free Swim Lessons for Kids and Adults in Brooklyn
The organization Inclusive Community Wellness Inc. (ICW) is providing free learn-to-swim lessons to local children and adults on Sundays at Brooklyn College through March 23. Lessons are available on a first-come, first serve basis and registration is required. For more information, email community.wellness.nyc@gmail.com
NYCPS Climate Action Days: Focus on Energy on February 5
NYCPS school communities, Energy Climate Action Day is coming up on Wednesday, February 5! Are you ready for the Collective Action, Lights Out Hour? Visit the Climate Action Days resources available on the Office of Energy & Sustainability Hub.
Each Climate Action Day is based on a theme and showcases the importance of climate education and sustainability practices. Schools across the five boroughs will choose climate action activities to build a better future for our students and our planet.
Mark your calendars for the Health, Wellness, and Green Space day on April 9—we’ll share suggested activities and resources in a future edition of School Wellness Weekly!
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Register for Food and Climate Webinars on January 27
There's still time to register for two food education professional learning opportunities on Monday, January 27. Visit the Food and Climate Professional Learning Catalog to review and register for CTLE-eligible nutrition education webinars, including:
Classroom Hydroponic Experimental Systems and Grow Kit Systems: Explore classroom-compatible hydroponic systems and hands-on activities that engage students in science, technology, health, and food justice topics.
Intentional Appetites and Food Literacy: Build food literacy while reinforcing reading and writing standards. This interactive workshop features activities for your classroom.
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