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Congratulations to New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) educators, staff, students, and families on the completion of another school year. We wish all of you an active, healthy, and fun summer! Check out the many free resources shared in this issue to keep our students moving, help them stay safe, and help families and students access needed services while most schools are closed.
School Wellness Connection will also take a summer break and return in Fall 2026.
Note: All hyperlinks, including those above, open in a new tab.
(Photo: Krisanne Johnson.)
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Chancellor's Conference Day Thanks and Summer Professional Learning
Thank you to the 4,000+ educators who joined the Office of School Wellness Programs and our trusted partners on June 4, Chancellors Conference Day, for a day of professional learning. We celebrate the physical and health educators across the five boroughs who dedicate time to further develop their content knowledge and skills through webinars, professional learning communities, and in-person events. We also thank our partners who continue to support NYC educators each year.
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NYCPS educators and school staff: Continue your learning this summer! Our self-guided WeLearnNYC courses in health education and physical education are available 24/7, and most are CTLE-eligible! You may start, stop, and finish anytime. Check out new courses added this year to help you prepare for teaching in 2026-2027.
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(Top and bottom right: May 15 Science of Basketball event at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Bottom left: May 14 CHAMPS culminating basketball event at Carey Gabay Recreation Center, Brooklyn. Photos: Office of School Wellness Programs.)
Jr. Knicks Spring Events Showcase CHAMPS Basketball, STEM Learning, and Fun!
It was an exciting Spring for basketball in NYC, including events for hundreds of NYCPS students hosted by the Jr. Knicks! On May 14, over 330 students from 20 schools participated in a CHAMPS culminating event at Carey Gabay Recreation Center in Brooklyn; and on May 15, 200 middle school students from across the city gathered at the Borough of Manhattan Community College for a Science of Basketball program with Jr. Knicks and their partner, Pfizer. Students competed in athletic skills challenges, designed sports stadiums, and learned the effect of air resistance on speed.
Educators: Save-the-Dates! New York State and New York City AHPERD Annual Conferences
Mark your calendars for these New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYS AHPERD) conferences in Fall 2026:
- The New York City Zone of NYS AHPERD will hold its annual “Back-2-School” conference for health and physical education professionals on Saturday, September 26, at Manhattan University. Kick off the school year with professional development, networking, and resources. Access the NYC Zone Conference registration page for details. Register by September 11 and receive conference swag and a boxed lunch!
- New York State AHPERD will hold its 88th Annual Conference November 18–21 at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York. The conference offers workshops, presentations, networking, and exhibitions. Find up-to-date information and register on the NYS AHPERD website.
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(Photo: Office of School Wellness Programs.)
Student Athletes Shine at New York Road Runners Middle School Track & Field Finals
Over 900 NYCPS students from all five boroughs competed in track and field events at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island at the Rising New York Road Runners Track & Field Finals on Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30. The event gave students participating in Rising New York Road Runners programs this year a chance to showcase their growth over the 2025-2026 running season. The meet included races of various distances including 200 meters, 400 meters, and a 4x100 meter relay. Students also competed in long jump and shot put field events. The NYCPS Office of Food & Nutrition Services provided boxed lunches for all student participants.
Relive the excitement by viewing the New York Road Runners photo gallery.
Congratulations to all the student athletes who participated and demonstrated dedication and teamwork throughout the season; and thanks to New York Road Runners for their partnership and continued support of physical activity programs for students across the city.
| | | Recognizing 2025-2026 Health Education Leaders in NYCPS Schools
The Office of School Wellness Programs (OSWP) congratulates the members of the 2025-2026 Health Education Leadership Circle. Throughout the school year, the twelve teachers listed below have demonstrated leadership within the K-12 health education professional learning communities hosted by OSWP, sharing standards-based instructional resources and best practices with their fellow educators. Leadership Circle members also helped promote the importance of high-quality health education in their school communities.
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Jacob Dannenberg, P.S. 24 Andrew Jackson, District 25, Queens
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Nicki Doyamis, J.H.S. 216 George J. Ryan, District 26, Queens
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Kaitlyn Fiore, P.S./M.S. 124 Osmond A. Church, District 27, Queens
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Emily Mangano, Young Women’s Leadership School of Queens, District 28, Queens
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Drew Miller, Bard High School Early College, District 1, Manhattan
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Deanne Myrick, M.S. 51 William Alexander, District 15, Brooklyn
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Tiana Palmer, J.H.S. 234 Arthur W. Cunningham, District 22, Brooklyn
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Shallah Stevens, I.S. 230, District 30, Queens
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Kelly Striefler, Archimedes Academy for Math, Science and Technology Applications, District 8, Bronx
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Gino Vaccaro, P.S./I.S. 128 The Lorraine Tuzzo, Juniper Valley School, District 24, Queens
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Zachary Weiner, P.S. 220 Edward Mandel, District 28, Queens
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Michael Zaffarano, J.H.S. 383 Philippa Schuyler, District 32, Brooklyn
Families and Students: Free and Low-Cost Health Services and Information
Support student and family well-being all summer long by sharing these accessible health resources:
- Ages 12 – adult: Receive low- to no-cost services from NYC Sexual Health Clinics. Contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing and treatment services offered.
- All ages: Low-cost dental services for NYC residents: To find clinics near you, visit NYC Health Map and search by zip code or view the full list by borough. All types of insurance accepted, and assistance is available for those without.
- Grades 4-12 students: Know Your Period: The NYC Student Guide: Share this easy-to-use, illustrated resource for students to learn about periods and puberty. It is available with translations in all NYCPS languages on the Menstrual Products for Students page on the NYCPS website.
- Birth – 24 years: Growing Up NYC offers tips, tools, and support for families and caregivers.
- Infants – young children: Licensed childcare and programs near you: Visit NYC Health’s Child Care Services Finder.
Tobacco, Cannabis, and E-Cigarette Prevention
Visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s nyc.gov/vaping and nyc.gov/health/cannabis pages to learn more about support and treatment options available to youth and adults, including translated versions of many of the resources below.
Materials for families and caregivers:
Materials for students:
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(Photo: New York City Parks Department.)
Free Outdoor Pools Across New York City Open on June 27
NYC Parks opens free outdoor pools in every borough each summer, giving students and families a safe place to cool off, swim, and enjoy the outdoors. Free summer meals are also served at city pools (access more information below). Pools are open daily beginning Saturday, June 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a break for cleaning from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Families of Students in Elementary Grades: Move-to-Improve Resources
Families and caregivers of elementary students can use materials from the Move-to-Improve (MTI) program to help stay active all summer long. MTI resources like the Visual Aid Cards that illustrate movements and simple instructions are available in English and translated into most NYCPS languages. The World Beats album is an eclectic mix of Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, Bollywood, Lo-Fi and Latin song tracks that reflect the diverse communities of New York City. Anyone can download the music and use the catchy tunes to dance, move, and groove!
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Families and Students: Free Physical Activity Programs
The school year may be ending, but all members of the NYCPS community can continue to stay physically active, safe, and healthy this summer with free resources from New York City and trusted partners.
(Photo: City Parks Foundation.)
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Free Summer Meals Starts June 29: Share Widely!
Even when school is out, you can still enjoy free breakfast and lunch! Free Summer Meals will be available Monday, June 29 to Friday, September 4 to all people 18 years old and younger in many locations throughout the city. Breakfast is available from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (times are subject to change). No registration, documentation, or ID required.
Enjoy Traffic-Free Activities on New York City Summer Streets
Hundreds of blocks of city streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on selected Saturdays this summer, as part of NYC Summer Streets. Don’t miss a chance to enjoy safer walking, biking, and running, as well as free fitness classes, performances, and giveaways! Access locations and schedule on the NYC Department of Transportation’s Summer Streets webpage.
(Image: NYCPS.)
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