September 2026

Weclome Back from Dr. Andjelka Pavlovic



Welcome Back, Teachers!

As we begin a new school year, we want to celebrate the educators who make a lasting difference in the lives of children every day.

This year’s newsletter theme is “Year of the Teacher,” providing a meaningful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary impact physical education teachers have on the lives of their students. You do far more than teach children how to run, jump, throw, or play. You help young people discover what their bodies can do, develop confidence and resilience, build healthy habits, and understand the lifelong value of movement. Through your classrooms and your example, you create opportunities for every child to feel capable, included, and successful.

Physical fitness and physical activity are fundamental to healthy youth development. Regular movement supports physical and mental health, strengthens the foundation for lifelong wellness, and can contribute to improved attention, learning, academic success, and self-confidence. As a PE teacher, you are uniquely positioned to make these benefits accessible to every child and often become one of the most influential champions for health in a student's school experience. On behalf of the Kenneth H. Cooper Institute, thank you for the energy, expertise, and passion you bring to this important work.

We are committed to partnering with you to build a healthier generation of youth, one student, one class, and one active day at a time. Cheers to a new school year! 

Everyone Belongs in PE

Building an Inclusive Environment from Day One

A new school year is a fresh opportunity to create a PE environment where every student feels welcome, capable, and excited to move. As you begin the new school year, it is important to create a culture where students of all abilities and experience levels feel supported.

Research shows that students’ enjoyment in PE is connected to feeling competent, having a sense of belonging, and having opportunities for autonomy. Creating an environment where students feel valued and capable can help students develop a more positive relationship with physical activity.

Starting the Year with FitnessGram Assessments

The beginning of the school year is a great time to introduce FitnessGram assessments and help students understand their current level of health-related fitness. These assessments provide valuable information that allows students and teachers to identify strengths, set goals, and track growth throughout the year.

It is important to remember that FitnessGram is about personal improvement, not comparison or competition. Every student begins with a different level of fitness, and success looks different for everyone. One student may improve their endurance, another may build strength, and another may gain confidence and discover activities they enjoy.

Creating an Inclusive PE Environment

Small choices can help every student experience success:

• Offer choices so students can challenge themselves at an appropriate level when applicable.
• Celebrate effort and improvement rather than focusing only on performance.
• Avoid public comparisons and help students focus on their own progress.
• Give every student a role in activities. For example, during the plank assessment, students can take turns being participants, timers, and encouragers for their classmates.

When students feel successful and supported, they are more likely to see physical activity as something they can enjoy and continue throughout their lives.



As you kick off the new school year, remember: every student has a place in PE.

Bring Football to PE with NFL FLAG-in-Schools

September is here, which means a new school year, new students, new routines—and, of course, football season! As you settle back into the rhythm of the school year, it’s the perfect time to bring the energy and excitement of football into your PE classes.

Bring Football to PE with NFL FLAG

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the country, and our NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Project schools are helping students be part of that momentum. With NFL FLAG-In-School kits, PE teachers can introduce students to the game in a fun, active, and non-contact environment while building skills that go far beyond the football field.

And you don’t need to start with a full game! Cone drills are an easy way to incorporate football-inspired agility, speed, coordination, and movement into your existing PE curriculum. Try NFL FLAG’s five best flag football cone drills for coaches for simple ideas to get your students moving.

More Than a Game

Flag football is a great fit for the NFL PLAY 60 mission to inspire kids to get 60 minutes of physical activity every day. It’s:

• Inclusive: Students of all skill levels and experience can participate.
• Active: Fast-paced activities keep students moving and engaged.
• Skill-Building: Students develop coordination, agility, speed, and teamwork.
• Confidence-Boosting: Flag football creates opportunities to practice leadership, communication, and sportsmanship.

Ready to Bring Flag Football to Your School?

New schools joining the NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Project automatically receive an NFL FLAG-In-School kit with everything you need to introduce flag football to your students.

Not a new project school? You can also apply for a kit through GENYOUth when applications are available.

To be the first to know when NFL FLAG-In-School kit applications open:

Champions Who Move Us

Jill Camron

Every month, we’re shining the spotlight on an NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Project Champion who is making a difference in their school or district. These educators are leading the way in creating a culture of fitness, helping students discover what they’re capable of, and inspiring their fellow educators along the way. We’re excited to share their stories, ideas, and lessons learned with PE teachers across the country.

Meet Jill Camron

This month, we’re celebrating Jill Camron, Coordinator of Special Projects – Support for Physical Education at Hollister School District in Hollister, California. With 30 years in education, Jill has spent her career helping students become the best versions of themselves. In 2025–2026, she brought FitnessGram to her district and enrolled 10 schools in the NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Project, earning her the title of 2025–2026 Rookie of the Year.

We asked Jill to share a little about her career, her approach to PE, and what keeps her inspired.

What inspired you to become a PE teacher?

Passing on the love of being active.

What is your favorite thing about being a PE teacher?

I loved coaching students on becoming the best version of themselves.

What is your favorite FitnessGram assessment and why?

I love to see students become stronger and how it surprises them that they can improve and become better.

What is your go-to PE activity, game, or lesson that students always enjoy?

I would create a circuit of cardio, strength, and flexibility with battle ropes, scooters for roll outs, weights for lunges, wall sits, jump ropes, etc. It mixes it up for students and gets them super fit and they enjoy the variety.

What is one accomplishment or student success story from your PE career that makes you proud?

Seeing schools improve their overall Fitness Scores. I love that the teachers really start to focus on how to incorporate different elements into their daily routine with students that makes such an impact on a student's overall fitness and health.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a new PE teacher?

Network with as many fellow PE teachers that you can, they will benefit 10-fold from their knowledge and experiences.

If you could give every PE teacher one resource, what would it be?

A consistent budget to purchase equipment for their units in order to teach to the standards.

What might fellow teachers be surprised to learn about you?

I've taken up cycling and love the community that comes with it. They are the ultimate support group.



Thank you, Jill, for being a champion for PE, fitness, and student success!

Kenneth H. Cooper Institute Website

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