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School Wellness Weekly
December 1, 2022
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Today is World AIDS Day: Keep Teaching to End the Epidemic |
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Every year on December 1, we honor World AIDS Day (opens in new window). This day gives us the opportunity to pause and commemorate the lives of individuals who have passed from an AIDS-related illness and show support for those living with HIV. By observing this day—and teaching the annual HIV lessons required at all grade levels—school communities can increase students’ awareness about the virus, encourage actions to support our loved ones and fellow community members, and eliminate stigma around the epidemic.
The progress made in the past decades toward ending the HIV epidemic may be attributed in part to the HIV education that all NYC students must receive every year – an NYC DOE requirement since 1987. Yet there is more work to be done to reduce the inequalities that contribute to illness and stigma.
In 2022, the United Nations is promoting the message “Equalize” (opens in new window) as a call to action to eliminate the inequalities in HIV testing, treatment, and prevention options. Such inequalities persist in New York City—which is why, in our work to update the NYC DOE’s HIV Curriculum (opens in new window), the Office of School Wellness Programs is keeping equity at the forefront.
We are currently working with stakeholders from across the city to revise the current curriculum (from 2012) to address both the medical advances and advocacy that have helped HIV become a chronic illness, and the continued and unequal stigma against people living with HIV and AIDS. We are excited to share that the updated curriculum will be released in the 2023-2024 school year, with new opportunities for all school leaders and educators to be trained on the importance of this instruction.
In the meantime, check out the resources below to learn more :
Photo: HIV.Gov
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In classes, clubs, and in their communities, many young people across the City advocate for high-quality health education and access to health services. In this issue of School Wellness Weekly honoring World AIDS Day, we highlight student advocate Olivia Salinger, a junior from The Clinton School (02M260). Read the interview below with this brave leader who is inspiring and organizing student-led efforts to advocate for more comprehensive sexual health education at The Clinton School.
Tell us about the student group you are a part of at The Clinton School.
Our student club of peer educators is called Sexperts and we advocate for more comprehensive sexual health education at The Clinton School. We advocate for and provide supplementary resources, accurate information, and guidance that is queer-inclusive and relevant in hope of being allies to students. We also focus on destigmatizing certain topics related to sexual health education within Clinton through our club meetings. I joined this group last year because I was interested in sexual health education and recognized how my education lacked on this topic. I wanted to be able to make an impact and educate and empower my peers.
Why are you hoping to make the mandated sexual health education lessons at The Clinton School more comprehensive?
Sexual health education is crucial because exploring your sexuality is a critical part of understanding identity for many teenagers. Our club wants to prepare students by empowering them to feel confident and safe in their experiences. Hopefully, our work will aid them in avoiding uncomfortable or negative situations/consequences. We have engaged in conversation with the administration, Gender Sexuality Alliance, and health teachers about ways to improve sexual health education programs to be more comprehensive, affirming, and inclusive.
How has your group made an impact on the school community?
As peer educators, every year we push in during advisory periods to explain the Condom Availability Program (opens in new window), with a presentation we call The Condom Roadshow. We give reminders about safer sex practices, clinics that serve teenagers in New York City, consent, free resources available to students, including condoms, LGBTQIA+ affirming sexual health, and more.
With a topic as taboo as sexual health education, having a club that is focused on destigmatizing it can be very impactful. For Clinton School students, knowing that there are student peer educators within the community who are not fearful about talking about topics of sexual health, and to who they can ask questions, is helpful.
Have you had any challenges with this work, and how did your group address those?
People and especially teenagers can be intimidated and embarrassed by sexual health education. However, this discomfort is expected and is necessary if we are to destigmatize sex. The administration has been extraordinarily helpful in bridging the gaps between teachers and our club. Furthermore, Clinton has many student-led organizations that could support us.
Are there any tips you'd like to share with other students who may want to advocate for changes in their school's health programs?
I would suggest finding a few other students who are equally as passionate and creating an organization or club. It is easier to work when supported by others, and administrations tend to be more receptive to a group of students than just one. I would suggest deciding on a clear, achievable goal, and finding a teacher or staff member to support you. Once you have done this, attempt to meet with the administration and share your goal. In my experience, being proactive is worth it, and almost always fruitful.
Photo: Condom promotion table at The Clinton School; photo by Olivia Salinger.
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School Wellness Programs Tips:
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International Physical Literacy Conference Comes to New York! Submit a Presentation Proposal by December 13
New York City will host the International Physical Literacy Conference (opens in new window) in person in New York City, May 1-5, 2023, and the Office of School Wellness Programs is excited to collaborate with the Canadian-based organization Sport for Life (opens in new window) and other trusted partners to get the word out! This is the first time the conference will be held in the New York City, giving our educators, policymakers, and public health professionals a valuable opportunity to share best practices and research with experts worldwide.
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Grades 6-12 Student Poster Contest: Promote Health Resource Rooms and Get a Chance to Win $200
Staff in grades 6-12 schools: Please encourage your students to participate in the Health Resource Room Promotion: Student Poster Contest (opens in new window). The deadline for artwork submission is Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Students may choose to submit artwork on their own or a school staff member may submit artwork on the student’s behalf.
Two winners from middle school and two winners from high school will each receive a $200 Visa gift card in spring 2023; their school will receive an $800 grant in Fall 2023 to start or sustain its Health Resource Room. The winning posters will also be printed and made available to secondary schools citywide, starting Fall 2023.
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Building the Wellness Community |
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High School Students: Advocate for Wellness! Apply by December 6, 2022
Wellness Advocates will engage with City leaders in Spring 2023 to learn more about the DOE Citywide Wellness Policy (opens in new window) and share ideas and experiences on policy improvements. Meetings will start in February 2023 and run every two weeks until May 2023.
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Grades 6-12 Educators: Youth-led Virtual Panel About Climate Education: Reserve Your Spot Now!
Image: Original National Wildlife Federation ambassador “Ranger Rick” by Ding Darling, 1959. Courtesy National Wildlife Federation.
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High School Students Passionate About Food: Register for Taste of Tomorrow 2023 Career Fair
The Food Education Fund (opens in new window) offers programs for students to discover opportunities and explore various aspects of the food world. On Saturday, February 4 at the Food and Finance High School, the Food Education Fund’s Taste of Tomorrow (opens in new window) kicks off the DOE’s Career Exploration Month. The event is open to every high school student involved in culinary arts or hospitality in New York City; there is a separate track of classes for alumni.
Throughout the day-long, in-person event, industry professionals and experts will lead workshops, demos, and “cook-alongs” that will provide students with a glimpse into the variety of culinary and hospitality-related opportunities available to them after graduation. For more information, contact TOT@FoodEducationFund.org or KAT@FoodEducationFund.org
Staying Healthy During the Holidays
As the holidays approach, keep the fun in the festivities by keeping holiday-related stress at bay:
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The Child Mind Institute (opens in new window) offers a variety of resources and strategies to help children and families navigate big family get-togethers and regulate childhood stress during the holiday season.
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The Trevor Project (opens in new window) provides tips to assist LGBTQ+ young people in identifying ways to support themselves during the holidays, when complicated relationships with our families can sometimes leave us feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
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Health Corner: Handwashing |
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Washing your hands with soap and warm water is one of the most effective ways to combat the flu and other prevalent viruses within our NYC communities. Share these tips and resources:
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Notable
Food marketing to kids and people of color: it needs to stop (opens in new window) (Food Politics, November 29, 2022)
New York schools embrace thousands of the migrant children with needs beyond the classroom (opens in new window) (CBS News, November 21, 2022)
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