|
|
|
School Wellness Weekly
September 27, 2024
| |
Quality Health Education is Linked to Healthier Students: Learn How! | |
|
Every day, more than 900,000 public school students in New York City make decisions that affect their health, well-being, and ability to learn. Living in a diverse, vibrant city like New York offers great opportunities, but our students also face significant challenges: bullying, addictive social media, anxiety, peer pressure, getting enough sleep, and much more. That’s why Health Education is an important priority in NYC public schools: it gives students knowledge and critical skills to make choices that support their physical, emotional, and mental health.
What does Health Education look like, and how does it work? What do schools, parents, and community members need to know to prioritize this subject for the benefit of all students? We are excited to share results of our new research study on the impact of high-quality Health Education on New York City Public Schools students, as well as new videos showing Health Education in action.
New Research
Findings from this 2021-2023 study show that middle schools and high schools that focus on four aspects of Health Education tend to have healthier students. Learn more and download the sharable report and flyers for educators and parents/caregivers:
New Videos
This year we spoke with NYC students in elementary, middle, and high school about the challenges they face and how Health Education helps them. Check out our 4-minute videos to hear what the students said, and to see how teachers and principals make high-quality health instruction a reality:
Through Health Education, Physical Education, and other requirements and recommendations outlined in the NYCPS Citywide Wellness Policy, students learn the skills they need to be healthy and academically successful. As we start a new school year, the Office of School Wellness Programs is here to support you in the collective work to empower young people to take care of their minds, bodies, and the people around them.
Note: All hyperlinks, including those above, open in a new tab.
Image: Health Education: Essential Instruction for Healthy Students video. Office of School Wellness Programs.
| |
|
New Health Education and Move-to-Improve Resources in Multiple Languages
As of last school year, 16.3% of NYCPS students were English Language Learners, and in the past two years, New York City has welcomed around 40,000 migrant students into the school system. To help teachers better serve these students, we are happy to share new translated classroom materials available for the Move-to-Improve physical activity program and the required New York City HIV Education curriculum, Growing Up and Staying Safe.
Move-to-Improve: K-5/6 classroom teachers, check out Visual Aid Cards and posters in all 10 NYCPS languages:
Growing Up and Staying Safe: Student worksheets and slide decks are now available in Spanish and Chinese, and parent overviews are available in all 10 NYCPS languages. Open the collection and scroll down for complete sets of materials for each grade band, and a collection of family-facing materials:
Support LGBTQ+ Students and Understand NYCPS Guidelines on Gender
LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk for negative health outcomes nationwide, including in New York City: In 2021, 25% of NYC high school students who self-identified as gay or lesbian reported attempting suicide in the prior year—more than four times the number of heterosexual students (6%).1 Review the Guidelines on Gender and LGBTQ+ Supports webpages to promote a safe, inclusive school community and understand NYCPS’s commitment to equity and access.
September is Suicide Prevention Month: Learn, Share, Connect
Suicide is preventable: Starting a conversation can help save a life. Studies show people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks about them in a caring way. Learn more with these sharable resources:
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 immediately. Counselors are available 24/7 to listen and support you.
1. Abdelnabi J, Lundy De La Cruz N, Levanon Seligson A, Hamwey M. Suicide-related factors among New York City Public High School Students. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Epi Data Brief (138); November 2023.
| |
Bookmark our Professional Learning Catalog for Easy Access All Year Long! Be on the lookout for the full launch of our Fall professional learning next month. | |
|
NYC FITNESSGRAM: March 2025 Deadline and Updated Pacing Calendars
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.
There are two options for PE teachers to gain access the NYC FITNESSGRAM web-based application to enter student scores:
Planning guidance: 2024-2025 NYC FITNESSGRAM Pacing Guides
Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions: NYC FITNESSGRAM Support Center
| |
|
Support Your PE Program: All Elementary Teachers, Get Trained for Move-to-Improve
Learn how to integrate physical activity into your daily lessons using Move-to-Improve. Schools serving elementary grades are encouraged to become Move-to-Improve All-Star schools so as many students as possible receive the benefits of physical activity. All-Star schools can use Move-to-Improve to supplement PE time and frequency requirements.
Register for a webinar to learn more and visit the Move-to-Improve Program Materials Collection on WeTeachNYC.
-
Grades K-5/6 Teachers: All new teachers should register for one of the Move-to-Improve live webinars (CTLE: 60 minutes):
-
Monday, September 30, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
-
Monday, October 7, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
-
Tuesday, October 15, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
-
Monday, October 28, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
-
Tuesday, November 19, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Inclusive and Adapted Physical Education Support:
In New York City, 21% of public school students have a disability. New York State law requires students with disabilities to have Physical Education (PE) as part of their education. Many students can be in a regular PE class, sometimes with support or changes to the activities and equipment so that they can succeed.
Seeking support for Inclusive and Adapted Physical Education (APE) instruction and IEP requirements?
Prepare for CHAMPS Winter Season: Ensure Certifications Are Valid
For more than ten years, the CHAMPS Sports and Fitness Program (CHAMPS) has provided elementary and middle school students of all abilities opportunities to participate in fun, safe, and supervised physical activities before and after school. We anticipate that 2024-2025 CHAMPS Winter season applications will open in early November; principals will be notified in Principals Digest.
PE teachers: If your school intends to apply for a CHAMPS program, be sure your certifications are up-to-date now so your school’s application can be reviewed:
-
All CHAMPS teacher-coaches are required to have the following up-to-date certifications valid through March 7, 2025:
Teacher-coaches will be required to upload proof of license and certificates in their staff profile on the Wellness Hub before the CHAMPS application is submitted.
Image: Move-to-Improve Overview video. Office of School Wellness Programs.
| |
|
Teaching Health This Year? Get Trained, Get Confident, Get the Curriculum
Research shows that at New York City public schools where more teachers attend Health Education professional learning, students tend to have better health outcomes.
Grades K-12 Heath Education Teachers: Register for live webinars. Upon completion, teachers may request a free copy of HealthSmart, including slide decks in English and Spanish:
-
Introduction to Health Education: Strategies for Skills-Based Instruction (CTLE: 90 minutes)
-
Introduction to Health Education: Strategies for LGBTQ+ Affirming Classrooms (CTLE: 90 minutes)
More Ways to Learn: Self-Guided Courses: Enroll in these self-guided WeLearnNYC courses and complete on your own time. Explore the impact of Health Education on student outcomes, the required components of Health Education in NYC, and where to find resources to support lesson planning.
Annual HIV Education for All Students
New York State law requires annual instruction on HIV and AIDS for every student in grades K–12. Review a skills-based approach to HIV education and leave equipped with the knowledge and resources to implement Growing Up and Staying Safe: New York City K-12 HIV Education Curriculum. Enroll in this self-guided WeLearnNYC course and complete on your own time.
High School Staff: Get Trained to Implement the Condom Availability Program
New York City Public Schools offers high school students a Condom Availability Program (CAP) to help them make decisions that can keep them healthy and safe. CAP is part of the HIV Education program in New York City Public Schools, and helps grades 9-12 students make healthy decisions, avoid risk behaviors, and access information about reproductive and sexual health and other health topics, including healthy relationships.
Want to build or manage your school’s CAP? Attend a 3-part training series to become certified.
| |
|
Share With Parents/Caregivers:
Back to School Resources for Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health offers free, downloadable brochures and fact sheets on child and adolescent mental disorders and related topics like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and many more. Publications are available in English and Spanish.
Image: National Institute of Mental Health
| |
|
Building the Wellness Community | |
|
High School Students: Apply by October 21 to be a Student Wellness Advocate
The Office of School Wellness Programs is accepting applications from students in grades 9-12 for the 2024-2025 cohort of Student Wellness Advocates, part of a citywide Youth Leadership Council that partners students with city leaders to promote Physical Education, Health Education, and wellness in school communities and Citywide. Share this Student Wellness Advocates Flyer with your networks and encourage high school students to submit their application by the deadline of Monday, October 21.
Students selected will support promotion of the NYC Public Schools Citywide Wellness Policy, and gain leadership skills and knowledge to create change. Advocates will meet after school every two to three weeks from November to May; stipends are provided for attending the group meetings. Contact wellnesspartnerships@schools.nyc.gov with any questions.
Establish or Reengage a School Wellness Council
A School Wellness Council is a volunteer group comprised of students, family members, school-based staff, and community members who work together to support and promote high-quality Physical Education, Health Education, and wellness activities and programs in New York City schools. Now is an opportune time in the school year to establish a new wellness council or reengage your existing wellness council, assess your school’s strengths and areas for growth, set health and wellness goals, and create plans to achieve them.
Refer to our Support Center articles for resources and tips, including toolkits, information on applying for grants, and how to manage your School Wellness Council using the NYCPS online Wellness Council Manager app.
Grades 6-12 Students: Win Cash Prizes in Vaping Prevention Poster Contest
CATCH My Breath, a nationally recognized vaping prevention program, is sponsoring a public service announcement (PSA) contest for all New York City middle and high school students, including cash prizes up to $500 and promotion for winners. Students are encouraged to express their creativity and passion in posters that address the dangers and negative effects of vaping and the skills needed to handle pressure from peers, media, and advertising. Limit of one poster entry per student.
See the contest website for more information, including parent permission and consent forms. Deadline for submissions is November 30; winners will be announced in January 2025.
Adaptive Swim Program for People with Disabilities: Apply by October 7
NYC Parks is offering an adaptive swim program for children and adults, October 18 to January 10, at 4:00 p.m. at public pools in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. The program includes aquatic exercise therapy that ranges from gentle water walking to aerobic-type exercise, which improves range of motion, flexibility, mobility, muscle tone, coordination, focus, and strength.
To ensure that everyone has equal access to the program, registration takes place by lottery. Register and enter the lottery online through October 7 at 12:00 p.m.
Participants must become Recreation Center Members to participate (membership is free for those under 18). Contact accessibility@parks.nyc.gov or (212) 360-1430 for more information regarding accessibility.
| | | | |
