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School Wellness Weekly
April 4, 2022
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Special Edition: International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
Bridging PE, Physical Activity, and Sport: Keeping Students Moving with CHAMPS
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Students who participate in CHAMPS (opens in new window) stay active, stay connected, learn new physical and fitness activities, and learn how to work as a team, while having a safe space to practice the skills they learn in Physical Education (PE).
This year, in honor of the United Nations’ International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (opens in new window) this Wednesday, April 6, the Office of School Wellness Programs is shining a spotlight on schools that have successfully implemented a CHAMPS Sport and Fitness Program for their students by highlighting their activities throughout the week—underscoring the value of sport and physical activity in creating more peaceful, sustainable school environments.
Sport can:
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reinforce the skills students learn in PE (opens in new window)
- improve student well-being through physical activity
- build solidarity and encourage teamwork amongst students
- give students healthy outlets for recovering from trauma and loss
As the UN notes, “Sport has the power to change the world; it is a fundamental right and a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and promote sustainable development and peace, as well as solidarity and respect for all.”
We know that nothing is more important to NYC families than keeping students thriving in safe and healthy school communities. The following schools—from across the City—know that too and have embraced what the name CHAMPS stands for: Cooperative, Healthy, Active, Motivated and Positive Students.
We thank the dedicated staff from these schools for continuing to prioritize their students' health and well-being!
Photo: CHAMPS student-athlete dribbling a soccer ball on an outdoor soccer field. CHAMPS teacher-coach, Joseph Stewart.
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District 75: P.S. M721 Manhattan Occupational Training Center |
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"Sport has a tremendous power to bring people together.” - Joseph Stewart, CHAMPS Teacher-Coach
Joseph Stewart, CHAMPS teacher-coach, in collaboration with P.S. M721 and the Harvest Collegiate High School in Manhattan, created an inclusive Unified CHAMPS program where students with and without disabilities train and compete together as teammates. According to Mr. Stewart, by embracing the power of sport, the school community noticed an improvement in attendance and fewer behavioral issues.
Mr. Stewart shared that these impacts led to greater academic success and increased self-esteem, and fostered school spirit among students. To add to the students’ success, the Harvest Collegiate High School Unified Soccer team qualified for the Special Olympics USA Games and will be competing at Disney in Orlando, Florida this June. The CHAMPS program began at P.S. M721 in 2006 as an opportunity for District 75 (opens in new window) students with intellectual disabilities to play the sport they love with their peers in a safe, inclusive setting.
Photo: CHAMPS student-athletes lined up to congratulate each other after a game. Photo courtesy: CHAMPS teacher-coach, Joseph Stewart.
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Queens: P.S. 024 Andrew Jackson |
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"The students' high energy and interest to learn inspires me. They all come in ready to play, learn, have fun, and be active early in the morning." - Michael Galeotafiore, PE teacher
PE teacher Michael Galeotafiore from P.S. 024 runs the Jr. NBA (opens in new window) CHAMPS program for his students, where they can learn basketball, fitness, and many other team-building skills. Students’ enthusiasm shines through, and they share that they are utilizing the skills learned outside of the school setting, such as at the park, where some students report their confidence levels are noticeably higher.
Photo: Students holding basketballs in an indoor basketball court. Photo courtesy: PE teacher Michael Galeotafiore.
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“Knowing that the students look forward to coming to school each day to participate in CHAMPS inspires me to keep teaching the program.” - Marianne Erster, PE Teacher
PE teacher Marianne Erster leads the CHAMPS elementary program, BOKS (by Reebok Foundation) in the same school community with Mr. Galeotafiore. Elementary grade students get motivated and energized for the day by participating in physical activities before school. Each week, the program promotes a skill and provides a space where students can understand and learn fitness principles. Classroom teachers have noticed an increase in student engagement during morning classes, along with an improvement in student attendance.
Photo: Elementary students placing multi-colored rings on cones in a gymnasium. Photo courtesy: PE teacher Marianne Erster.
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Manhattan: Central Park East II |
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“The CHAMPS activities allow students who might not otherwise talk to come together.” - Robert Nuxoll, PE Teacher
PE teacher Robert Nuxoll loves seeing the growth in the students who commit to being in the CHAMPS program at Central Park East II. Providing both an elementary and middle school program attracts students from different grades and allows them to work together to learn a sport like basketball, football, or running. For him, the CHAMPS program has done what sport often does: bring people together around a common goal or interest and melt away other perceived boundaries or differences. For the students, they look forward to the CHAMPS activities and being able to play and learn together.
Photo: Students lined up doing planks inside of a gymnasium. Photo courtesy: PE teacher Robert Nuxoll.
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Manhattan: P.S. 004 Duke Ellington |
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“I genuinely enjoy helping my students learn about different sports and develop certain skills...Being part of a team builds character that translates to the real world, which I find powerful and influential.” - Jeffrey Lagares, PE Teacher
PE teacher Jeffrey Lagares sees the excitement from students at P.S. 004 Duke Ellington each week as they build on different skills using the Jr. NBA instructional curriculum through a weekly CHAMPS program. During weekly two-hour sessions, students learn and practice basketball skills, while developing teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship. Mr. Lagares says that students feel motivated to come to school and enjoy working cooperatively and learning from each other.
Photo: Students dribbling basketballs in an indoor basketball court. Photo courtesy: PE teacher Jeffrey Lagares.
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Staten Island: I.S. 024 Myra S. Barnes |
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“Our students have access during PE class, recess, and after school to enjoy a safe and healthy space to learn how to ride bikes, along with supportive teachers.” - Lenny Santamaria, Principal
PE teachers and CHAMPS coaches at I.S. 024 Myra S. Barnes, Nicole O’Connor and Joseph Brancato, believe they should provide their students with the opportunity to learn how to safely ride a bike by the time they complete the eighth grade. To that end, with support from Principal Lenny Santamaria, Bike New York (opens in new window) loaned 24 mountain bikes to the school and the NYC Department of Transportation donated 250 bike helmets to support the school’s bike program.
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With training from Bike New York and using CHAMPS funding, the school community was able to provide students with an after-school cycling program that supported the bike skills they were learning in PE class. Students feel that this program gives those a chance to ride, especially those that don’t have access to a bike.
Photo (top left): Students straddling bicycles on the sidewalk in front of a school while wearing helmets. Photo (bottom right): Students kneeling down next to a bicycle to examine the pedals and chain. Photo courtesy: PE teacher Nicole O'Connor.
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Families and Caregivers:
Have a student in a K-8 public school and want to learn more about CHAMPS? Contact your principal or Physical Education teacher to see if there is a CHAMPS program in your student’s school. Email the New York City Department of Education’s Office of School Wellness Programs at PEWorks@schools.nyc.gov (opens in email window) if you have additional questions.
School Staff:
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