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School Wellness Weekly
June 6, 2025
| | Pride 2025: Support and Celebrate Our LGBTQ+ Students | | |
This June, New York City honors and celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride under the theme: “Rise Up: Pride in Protest.” This year’s theme reminds us that Pride began as protests in the late 1960s, when LGBTQ+ people and their allies stood up against unfair treatment and fought for respect, equality, and freedom. Pride Month was first recognized on a federal level in 1999. It remains a time to remember those early pioneers and to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ communities with pride and unity.
New York City Public Schools supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) students, families, and staff across the five boroughs through a variety of policies and programs. For more information, please visit:
If you have LGBTQ+-related questions or need support at your school, contact LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov.
Whether you’re sharing stories or making space for love and identity in your classroom, each act of support matters.
(Photo: Created in Adobe Express)
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Reminder: No Chancellor’s Conference Day This June
K-12 NYCPS school staff: Continue your professional learning when it's convenient for you! Visit our Self-Guided Courses Professional Learning page and check out all the CTLE eligible offerings! You can review PE and health education requirements, learn more about the updated Growing Up and Staying Safe: New York City K-12 HIV Education Curriculum, and brush up on your affirming school practices with a review of LGBTQ+ concepts and terms. These courses will remain open through the duration of the school year.
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June Webinars in Honor of PRIDE and Juneteenth
Visit the Respect For All Professional Development Calendar for webinars offered in collaboration with partner organizations and the Office of Safety and Youth Development. These webinars, open to K-12 NYCPS school staff, include topics on understanding racism and its impact on youth, as well as protecting transgender and non-binary youth. Visit the calendar (link above) for more information. Questions? Email RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov.
Visible and Vital: Protecting Transgender and Non-Binary Youth
World Within: Understanding How Internalized Racism Impacts our Youth
More Than Just Names: Understanding How Systemic Racism Impacts Our Youth
(Image: Courtesy of Respect for All)
| | Champion Spotlight: Big Apple Physical Education Teacher Award Finalists | | |
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. We are honored to share remarks below from the five semi-finalists for the 2025 Big Apple Physical Education Teacher Award. Stay tuned for an announcement of the winner later in June!
Each of these teachers has been selected for their work to inspire students, model high-quality PE instruction, and enrich their school communities. And thank you to all physical education teachers for their commitment to students’ health and well-being!
The following comments have been edited for brevity and clarity.
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Jasinth Findlay
Bronx Arena High School (08X537)
“Currently, I am developing an engaging online first aid course that teaches essential life-saving skills like first aid, CPR and AED use, and emergency response. With a focus on real-world application, the course empowers students to act confidently in crises, building both practical knowledge and a strong sense of responsibility. This hands-on training not only supports personal growth but also has the potential to save lives.”
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Reyes Andon
P.S. 376 Felisa Rincon De Gautier School of Technology (32K376)
"Physical education is more than just games — when thoughtfully implemented, it nurtures lifelong habits of health, confidence, and resilience. By engaging the body and mind, it supports the development of the whole child, preparing students not only for success in physical pursuits, but also for navigating life’s challenges with strength and clarity. Instead of starting a new unit or lesson, I want to build on what students already bring—their culture, language, and lived experiences. This approach excites and engages all learners because it centers on who they are. When we connect PE to real world topics like sports for social change, students start to see the bigger picture. Using the Sports Education Model and Project Based Learning, students take on leadership roles and apply what they learn beyond PE class. It also opens the door for families and community-based organizations to be involved, creating even more opportunities for students to grow and lead outside of school.”
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Candace Paige
P771K Education with H.E.A.R.T. (75K771)
“Physical education contributes to students’ well-being by helping to improve cardiovascular health and bone strength and reduce the risk of health issues such as obesity. PE helps increase confidence and self-esteem, leading to a better mental well-being. Physical activity helps students maintain focus and concentration in the classroom, which leads to better academic performance. A word of advice I would give a fellow NYCPS Physical Education teacher is know your students. Take the time to learn and understand what the students like, what they don’t like, what they need and what they can teach you. Also, give time for the students to get to know you.”
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John Carrick
The Metropolitan Soundview High School (12X521)
“A new unit I’d like to teach in the future is Pickleball! It is a fun and accessible way to get exercise and socialize, with a growing number of courts and a welcoming community. The sport's ease of learning, coupled with its fast-paced, engaging nature, makes it a great fit for the city's diverse demographic. NYC has a wide variety of pickleball courts, both indoor and outdoor, making it easy to find a place to play. The sport is known for its inclusive and friendly atmosphere, attracting people of all ages, genders, and skill levels.”
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Basimah Thompson
M.S. 61 Dr. Gladstone H. Atwell (17K061)
“One tip I would give to fellow NYCPS PE teachers is to focus on building relationships with your students, first. When students feel seen and valued, they’re more likely to engage in movement and take ownership of their learning. Use culturally responsive practices to connect physical activities to your students’ lived experiences and identities. Last, advocate for your program by showcasing how PE supports mental health, academic success, and community building. Our voices matter in shaping how our schools value wellness. Always remember you're not just teaching sports, you’re empowering future leaders through movement, joy, and resilience, one class at a time.”
(All photos courtesy of the finalists.)
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All Abilities, All Rhythms, All Inspiration: Adapted PE Dance Festival
Adapted Physical Education (APE) teachers from Queens and Brooklyn came together on Thursday, April 3, to host their annual APE Dance Festival at P.S. 91 in Queens. The event featured 19 dynamic performances from 11 participating schools, celebrating students’ creativity, spirit, and achievements.
Thank you to APE teachers Beth Aaron, Pam Clemente, Nicole Furriel, Daniel Orenstein, Theresa Schmid, Stacey Schlissel, Adam Silverman, Ivy Skow, Grace Sgambati, and Danielle Sophie for their dedication and teamwork in making this inspiring event a success!
Online Professional Learning Community Focus Group
Calling all PE and Adapted PE teachers! We want to know what's working with our online professional learning communities, what's not, and what would make this space more helpful, inspiring, and relevant to your teaching practice. Register and share your feedback!
PE Professional Learning Opportunities
Join the Office of School Wellness Programs and trusted partners for these new professional learning opportunities in June.
June 16: Part 2: Assess to Impress with Cognitive Assessments
June 23: Strong and Fit: In-Person PE Instruction in Weight Rooms and Fitness Centers
(Photo collage: Office of School Wellness Programs)
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Online Professional Learning Community Focus Group
Calling all health education teachers! We want to know what's working with our online professional learning communities, what's not, and what would make this space more helpful, inspiring, and relevant to your teaching practice. Register and share your feedback!
School Staff: Learn About LGBTQ+ Concepts and Show Up as a Trusted Adult for Students
In our schools, Pride Month is an important time to show every student that they are seen, valued, and accepted just as they are. It's a chance to learn about LGBTQIA+ history, celebrate diverse voices, and ensure that our classrooms and communities are safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all students.
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Complete the Intro to LGBTQ+ Concepts and Terminology self-guided course, which examines concepts and terminology like sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, and offers tips to use in the classroom and school community.
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Wear your OUT for Safe Schools badge, if you have one, to visibly identify as a trusted, supportive adult for LGBTQ+ students.
| | Building the Wellness Community | | |
Celebrate Global Running Day with a NYRR Virtual Run in the Month of June
Join New York Road Runners and get your students moving with friends and families around the world! Wednesday, June 4, is Global Running Day, a worldwide celebration of running. Check out information on the Rising NYRR Global Running Day Virtual Run page for ways that kids and adults can participate. Kids can run or walk any distance between June 1 and June 30. Choose a course outdoors or indoors—even on a treadmill! This free virtual run is a great way for students and families to stay active and have fun.
Make it extra special with a printable bib and an official finisher certificate, available on the Rising NYRR Global Running Day Virtual Run page.
(Image: Courtesy of NYRR)
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School Staff: Share Feedback on Vaping and Cannabis Materials Delivered to Schools
In early February 2025, the NYC Health Department (DOHMH) delivered materials to public schools serving grades 6-12 to support educators in addressing youth use of e-cigarettes (vaping), cannabis, and other drugs. The packages included palm cards, posters, and brochures, as well as a cover letter with information about the materials and related lessons plans.
To inform future engagement, DOHMH is seeking feedback from school staff on the materials, and insight on how schools have used them to support students. If you are a health education teacher, SAPIS staff member, school nurse, or principal, please complete this survey by Friday, June 13. It should take about 5 minutes. For questions, please reach out to the Health Department’s Tobacco Policy and Programs team at tobacco@health.nyc.gov.
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