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School Wellness Weekly
September 23, 2021
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Embracing Homecoming and Helping Schools Heal |
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Bookbags, pens, pencils, notebooks, and of course excitement—some of the things that students usually have with them as they enter a new school year. But, after 19 months of an ongoing pandemic; pain, trauma, and loss due to racial injustice; and global natural disasters, our students need our support and empathy as they enter the 2021-2022 school year. For our students to recover and to thrive—physically, mentally, emotionally, and academically—we need to dedicate time and resources to what they need the most right now: Healing.
The road to recovery for our schools must be paved with Health and Physical Education instruction, grounded in culturally responsive-sustaining education. Health and Physical Education are the only two academic subjects required by New York State that emphasize the foundational, lifelong skills that students need to take care of themselves and the people around them. And we must ensure that every student—no matter their zip code or circumstances—has equitable access to this education.
That’s why this year, the Office of School Wellness Programs is launching partnerships with schools with high-need populations and in communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will work with these schools to ensure their students have the knowledge and skills to heal and stay heathy; staff are well-prepared to teach quality Health and Physical Education to support the whole child; and family and school community members feel empowered to work together to create active and healthy school environments.
Continue to read School Wellness Weekly, our flagship communication, throughout the year and make sure your colleagues and staff subscribe (opens in new window) to receive the latest updates and opportunities. Stay tuned to next week’s issue where we will be introducing a new feature issue of School Wellness Weekly tailored to meet the professional learning needs of teachers and school leaders.
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Header photo credit: Office of School Wellness Programs |
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What You Need to Know for the 2021-2022 School Year |
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Health and Physical Education Return to School Guidelines: The DOE has released new guidelines to help schools provide Health and Physical Education instruction this year:
School Wellness Council Grant: Schools will not apply for the School Wellness Council competitive grant program this year. Instead, the DOE will provide funding to a selected group of high-need schools that agree to partner with the Office of School Wellness Programs. We will work with those schools to create successful School Wellness Councils that can support their school communities year after year. Our goal is to give high-need schools in neighborhoods most impacted by COVID-19 the resources they need to help students, staff, families, and caretakers to be healthy. We look forward to seeing you at our School Wellness Council training opportunities for teachers, staff, and students—we will launch our updated Professional Learning catalog in October; stay tuned. Questions? Email an Office of School Wellness Programs borough team (opens in new window).
Save the Date: Online Professional Learning on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2: Our Think-Move-Achieve Conference for Physical and Health Educators will take place live online and on-demand this school year. Registration information coming soon!
Updated Health and Safety Resources: K-12 Health and Safety lessons (opens in new window) are designed to help students make informed decisions and adopt behaviors that prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lessons cover topics around vaccines, masks, and handwashing.
2021-2022 Bridge to School Plan: As part of the City and the DOE’s focus on students' social and emotional well-being during the reopening of schools, the Bridge to School plan (opens in new window) shares guidance and lessons to create a safe, supportive learning environment centered around addressing the trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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2021-2022 Health Education Guidance for DOE Staff
- DOE’s Commitment to Health Education
- Health Education Scope and Sequence
- Health Education Requirements
- Sexual Health Education
- HIV/AIDS Lessons and Parent Notification Letters
- OUT for Safe Schools®
Advanced Certificate in Health Education for Current K-12 Health Teachers
The Office of School Wellness Programs, in collaboration with Lehman College, is again offering in-service, K-12 Health Education teachers an opportunity to apply for an 18-credit program leading to the Advanced Certificate in Health Education. To be eligible, teachers must:
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currently be teaching Health Education, but not certified in health
- possess a New York State (NYS) initial or professional certification in any subject area and a Master's Degree in a related field
The NYC DOE will cover the cost of tuition and fees. Two cohorts (Cohort 3 and Cohort 4) of teachers will be selected with:
- Cohort 3 beginning coursework in January 2022 and concluding in December 2022
- Cohort 4 beginning coursework in June 2022 and concluding in May 2023.
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2021-2022 Physical Education Guidance for DOE Staff
- Making PE Part of Every Student’s Academic Program
- Teaching Standards-Based PE in Any Space
- Ensuring Student and Staff Health and Safety
- Maintaining PE Staffing
- Dedicated Space for Learning in PE
- Additional Guidance Specific to Adapted Physical Education
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Building the Wellness Community |
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New Movement Video Series from Hip Hop Public Health: H.Y.P.E. Breakin’ It Down Vol. 2
Photo credit: Hip Hop Public Health
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Free Parent and Caregiver Webinars from the Ackerman Institute
Join the Ackerman Institute for these free webinars, designed to help parents and caregivers to support their child’s mental health across a diverse range of subjects. Webinars are created by family therapy experts and will be held on Zoom:
Student Opportunity: NYCLU's Teen Activist Project Application Open
NYCLU's Teen Activist Project (TAP) (opens in new window) is a youth program that engages New York City teens as leaders and organizers on civil rights and civil liberties. TAP members work on a range of advocacy issues including the rights of pregnant and parenting teens, students' rights, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, immigrants' rights, and freedom of speech and religion. Please share with young people interested in law, health care, social justice issues, and community organizing. Programming is in-person this year with a virtual option. The application (opens in new window) deadline is Sunday, October 3, 2021, 11:59 p.m.
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