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School Wellness Weekly

12.05.19


Staying Focused on Health Education
Moving the needle to ensure that every student in every NYC public school receives comprehensive, high-quality, medically accurate, and age-appropriate health education requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. When we launched our mission to partner with schools to create conditions where health and physical education thrive, and to engage school communities with programs that support student well-being, we knew this work would not always be easy. We thank you—our educators, partners, school staff, parents, and families—who have accepted this call to action and are working tirelessly for our students. 

One way to recharge with new ideas and networking is by participating in free professional learning opportunities. The Office of School Wellness Programs offers health education workshops and training sessions for all grade levels and interests, from how to teach comprehensive K-5 health ed, to puberty education, to middle school digital citizenship and the fundamentals of teaching consent. All sessions are designed to reinforce instructional standards and to equip you with curricular guidance materials and ongoing support.  

Get a head start on your Spring training plans by browsing our  2019-20 professional learning catalog   for available sessions .  Keep reading  School Wellness Weekly to  stay up to date on trainings, and continue to use these curricular resources throughout the school year: 


To thank a health education teacher for their commitment to our students, nominate them for the  2020 Big Apple Awards . The deadline has been extended to  Monday,   12/9 . PE teachers have their own category; Health education teachers are considered for the general award. Anyone can submit a nomination —and teachers can also nominate themselves.  
Wellness Highlights
DOE's First Deputy Chancellor Highlights PE, Health Education, and Equity at NYS AHPERD Conference
DOE First Deputy Chancellor Cheryl Watson-Harris delivered a keynote address on 11/21 at the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AHPERD) annual conference in Verona, NY, underscoring how the City of New York continues to be a leader and model in this work.   Her message to educators from across the State highlighted the DOE's efforts around equity, and the value of professional learning to create tomorrow's leaders.

The Office of School Wellness Programs PE instructional team also received the Amazing People Award for equity, diversity, and inclusiveness–a new category this year. NYS AHPERD’s annual Amazing People Awards spotlight exceptional contributions to the profession.  
Physical Education
Image:Students practice hockey skills at PS 90 Edna Cohen School in Brooklyn. Photo: Krisanne Johnson

December PE Professional Learning Community Meetings
Don’t forget to register for the December PE Professional Learning Community meetings on 12/16 . PLCs, where PE professionals work together to strengthen instructional practice, meet monthly on Mondays in all boroughs. 

Upcoming Professional Learning

  • Dec. 12: Strong and Fit: Grades 6-12, sign up for this session in Brooklyn.
  • Dec. 13: Elementary PE Basics 2: Planning for Skill Acquisition: Grades K-5/6 physical education teachers, sign up for this session in the Bronx.
  • Dec. 17: IEP Writing and Co-Teaching Strategies for Physical Education Teachers: Grades K-12 physical education teachers, sign up for this session in the Bronx.
  • Dec. 20: PE Basics 2: Planning for Skill Acquisition: Grades 6-12 physical education teachers, sign up for this session in Queens.
Health Education
Image: Artwork by 2018 School Wellness Campaign Contest winner Nora Haque from JHS 074 Nathaniel Hawthorne in Queens.

Upcoming Professional Learning

  • Jan. 8: Condom Availability Program Training: High school staff, sign up for this session in Queens.
  • Jan 15: Middle and High School Health Education Basics 4: LGBTQ-Affirming Schools: Grades 6-12 staff, sign up for this session in Queens.
  • Jan. 22: High School Health Education Basics 1: Comprehensive Skills-Based Education: Grades 9-12 health education teachers, sign up for this session in the Bronx.
  • Jan. 23: Health Education Basics 2A: Comprehensive Sexual Health Education: Grades 9-12 health education teachers, sign up for this session in the Bronx. Prerequisite: High School Health Education Basics 1
Building the Wellness Community
Upcoming Professional Learning

  • Dec. 11: School Wellness Council Basics 1: Creating a Council and Implementing Wellness Programs: Sign up for this session in the Bronx.
  • Dec. 13: School Wellness Council Basics 2: Strengthening Leadership and Building Capacity: Sign up for this session in Queens.
Design a T-Shirt for the GreenThumb Contest
Enter your original artwork in the NYC Parks GreenThumb Grow Together 2020 T-Shirt Contest . The winning design will be featured on T-shirts worn by GreenThumb gardeners all over the city. The submission deadline is 12/13 .  
Office of School Health Corner: Handwashing
Washing your hands with soap and warm water is one of the most effective ways to combat the flu and other viruses. Remember these helpful tips when washing your hands:
  • Wet your hands
  • Use lots of soap
  • Scrub for as long as it takes you to sing the ABCs
  • Rinse with warm water
  • Dry your hands (and don’t forget to turn the water off!)

Teaching your students to cover their cough is also helpful in preventing the spread of germs, as well as reminding them to sneeze and cough into tissues or on the inside of their elbow.

If you, your students, their families, or fellow school staff still need to get the flu vaccine, check out and share the NYC Health Map to find a location today.

Following these quick and easy steps can help you and your community stay healthy not only this winter, but all year round.