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School Wellness Weekly
June 24, 2025
| | Stay Cool, Stay Healthy With Our Summer "Backpack" Resources | | |
The school year is winding down and summer is right around the corner, but New York City and trusted partners provide valuable free resources all summer long to keep students, families, and caregivers healthy and physically active. Open the virtual "backpacks" of summer opportunities listed below in the Physical Education and Health Education sections and check out the links. Share widely with your networks!
As a reminder, School Wellness Weekly will be on summer hiatus. We will return in September with instructional resources, professional learning opportunities, and priority announcements about wellness programming and grant opportunities.
(Photo: Unsplash)
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Save the Dates: Fall 2025 AHPERD Conferences
New York State AHPERD Conference in November: The New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AHPERD) will hold its annual conference November 19-22, 2025, at the Turning Stone resort in Verona, New York. This year’s theme is “Together We Grow Stronger.” The conference engages attendees with workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and keynote presentations. Find conference information and registration on the New York State AHPERD website.
AHPERD NYC Zone Conference in September: The New York City Zone chapter of AHPERD will hold a conference for health education and physical education professionals on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Consult the New York City Zone website for updates on times and venues as they develop.
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Congratulations Big Apple Physical Education Teacher Award Winner!
Congratulations to Reyes Andon at P.S. 376 Felisa Rincón De Gautier School of Technology (32K376) in Brooklyn for receiving this year’s Big Apple Physical Education Teacher Award. Read more in the June 6 School Wellness Weekly about Mr. Andon’s approach to PE, the importance of this subject, and connecting families and the school community to this work. Mr. Andon received a surprise visit from students, Superintendent Arelis Parache, and other NYCPS leaders at his school on June 9 to announce the award. All Big Apple Award recipients were honored at a reception at NYCPS headquarters in Manhattan on June 17.
The Big Apple Physical Education Teacher Award is a NYC Public Schools Big Apple Award and is supported by New York Road Runners. The Big Apple Physical Education award celebrates and recognizes outstanding Physical Education teachers’ contributions to physical education and the impact it has on our students.
(Photo: Office of School Wellness Programs)
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Spring Wellness Events Spotlight Physical Activity, Health-Focused Fun, and Family Engagement
On June 4, schools across District 23 united for Sports and Wellness Day held at the Old Boys and Girls High School baseball field in Brooklyn. Students enjoyed a day of physical activity and fun, featuring kickball games, 100-meter dashes, soccer matches, fitness challenges, face painting, arts and crafts, farm-fresh food tastings, and more. A live DJ kept the energy high with upbeat music throughout the day. Local organizations provided resources and services to families, including free hygiene kits.
The event was supported by the NYCPS Office of School Wellness Programs and Office of Food & Nutrition Services, and community partners including The Leadership Program, My Brother’s Keeper, and New York Road Runners (NYRR).
On June 17, District 4 held a community wellness fair dubbed “Wellchella,” hosted at Central Park East II, welcoming students and families for a day of health-focused fun alongside partners like New York Road Runners.
Shout-out to D23 and D4 for growing the momentum around health and well-being in our school communities, and for promoting the importance of creating joyful, active spaces for students and families alike!
(Photo: Office of School Wellness Programs )
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School Wellness Council Success Story: A New Fitness Room at P.S. 134!
A School Wellness Council is a group of students, family members, school staff, and community members who work together and with the school administration to promote a healthy school community and health-supportive learning environments. At P.S. 134 Henrietta Szold in Manhattan (01M134), this vision came to life in May with the grand opening of the school’s brand-new fitness room—a welcoming space designed to support the physical and mental well-being of staff, students, and families. School Wellness Champion and physical education teacher Ibrahim Sankanou led the project, collaborating with his SWC team, after-school program Henry Street Settlement, and school administrators to transform an existing room.
As Sankanou shared, “It's an inviting, safe space that’s already generating excitement among teachers. After long days of supporting students, this dedicated area offers a convenient, judgment-free environment to recharge physically and mentally. It’s a meaningful step toward prioritizing staff wellness and creating a culture of care. Looking ahead, we’re also exploring ways to engage parents through programs and opportunities to exercise, strengthening our school community and expanding the impact of this space.”
School Wellness Councils help support the implementation of Empowering Strong and Healthy Students: The NYCPS Wellness Policy. Learn more about School Wellness Councils and how you can participate in the 2025-2026 school year.
(Photo illustration: Office of School Wellness Programs)
District 22 Unified Bocce Tournament Highlights Inclusive Play
District 22 hosted its Unified Middle School Bocce Culminating Tournament on June 12 at Socceroof in Sunset Park. The event marked the conclusion of a season in which students with and without intellectual disabilities played together through the Unified Sports model, an inclusive sports program offered by Special Olympics. Students strategized, cheered one another on, and celebrated together, bringing to life how inclusive practices can strengthen school communities and be at the heart of our work in New York City public schools. The tournament reflected the collaboration, teamwork, and shared experiences that developed throughout the program.
| Celebrating the 2024-2025 Cohort of Student Wellness Advocates | | |
Student Wellness Advocates is the student committee of the New York City Public Schools Citywide Wellness Advisory Council. Student advocates meet regularly throughout the school year in sessions facilitated by Office of School Wellness Programs staff to learn about the programs and practices in Empowering Strong and Healthy Students: The NYCPS School Wellness Policy, gain leadership skills, and promote healthy school communities.
This year, 24 Advocates representing NYCPS high schools across the city collaborated during 11 sessions to build leadership and advocacy skills by creating health-supportive messages based on the Wellness Policy. Students focused on topics including health education, free school meals, and the connections between wellness and sustainability. The newly released version of the Wellness Policy is inspired by feedback from students and caregivers and is written in plain language, describing what students should expect from schools to feel nourished, energized, valued, and safe. For the first time, it also includes more clarity on physical activity, food environment, and health education expectations, as well as food education and sustainability practices.
Stay tuned for more information in the fall on how students in grades 9-12 can get involved in Student Wellness Advocates in the 2025-2026 school year. We will share in School Wellness Weekly and on Instagram!
(Photo: Office of School Wellness Programs )
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Summer “Backpack”: Free Sports, Pools, Gyms, Bike Lessons, and More!
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City Parks Foundation offers youth sports programs throughout the summer, including tennis, golf, soccer, and more.
Open Streets and Biking Opportunities:
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Biking and open-streets events from the NYC Department of Transportation: Many events offer free learn-to-ride and bike handling skills classes with Bike New York, free bike repairs, and cultural programming. Get maps, helmet-fitting tips and other information on the Bike Safety page.
(Image: Adobe Express)
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Summer “Backpack”: Food, Mental Health Support, Health Services, and More!
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Sexual health services: Receive low- to no-cost services from NYC Sexual Health Clinics. Services offered include contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing and treatment, and more.
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Low-cost dental services for NYC residents: Dial 311 to get help finding a dentist, dental insurance, and copies of written oral health educational materials at no cost, in appropriate languages. To find clinics near you, visit NYC Health Map and search by zip code or view the full list by borough. All types of insurance accepted, and assistance for those without.
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General support for caregivers: Growing Up NYC offers tips, tools, and support for families and caregivers of children from birth to 24 years.
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Tips for cultivating healthy relationships: DayOne resources
Tobacco, Cannabis, and E-Cigarette Prevention:
Congratulations 2024-2025 Health Education Leadership Circle Members
The Office of School Wellness Programs would like to recognize the following 11 teachers who joined the 2024-2025 Health Education Leadership Circle. These teachers demonstrated leadership by actively participating in health education professional learning opportunities and professional learning community meetings. They shared standards-based instructional resources with the health education community and ensured their classrooms were affirming and inclusive for all. Congratulations!
- Aissatou Barry 01M034
- Nicki Doyamis 26Q216
- Kaitlyn Fiore 27Q124
- Jessica Grajales 27Q309
- Deanne Myrick 15K051
- Tiana Palmer 22K234
- Christine Reid 12X341
- Nguyen Rivera 06M210
- Francine Rowe 27Q042
- Shallah Stevens 30Q230
- Kelly Striefler 08X367
(Image: Adobe Express)
| | Building the Wellness Community | | |
Free Summer Meals Starts June 27: Share Widely!
Even when school is out, you can still enjoy free breakfast and lunch! Free Summer Meals will be available June 27 to August 29 to all people 18 years old and younger in many locations throughout the city. Breakfast is available from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (times are subject to change). No registration, documentation, or ID required.
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