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School Wellness Weekly

February 17, 2023
Teacher-Leader Edition
New Physical Education Basics 1 Asynchronous Course Now Available! 
We're excited to announce our newly launched Physical Education Basics 1 Course in WeLearnNYC (opens in new window). This asynchronous course supports all PE teachers with incorporating the fitness education cycle into their curriculum and administering fitness testing at their schools.
 
Enroll in this online course by signing in to WeLearnNYC (opens in new window) and searching "Physical Education Basics" under the “Discover” tab. This course is recommended as foundational training for all PE teachers. 
 
Note: Eligible PE teachers (opens in new window) who complete the course will receive access to the NYC FITNESSGRAM web-based application (opens in new window) and earn 4 hours of CTLE credit. 

Photo credit: New York City Department of Education, Office of School Wellness Programs
Notable
Updated NYC FITNESSGRAM Pacing Calendars Now Available!  
The 2022-23 NYC FITNESSGRAM Pacing Calendars are now available on WeTeachNYC (opens in new window). These pacing calendars are helpful tools for implementing NYC FITNESSGRAM in the Physical Education curriculum; they include suggested activities from the Physical Best Activity Guide, 4th Edition. 





Big Apple Award Nominations: Recognize an Amazing PE, Health, or Classroom Teacher!  

A reminder that the Big Apple Awards (opens in new window) nomination process is open through February 28, 2023. Learn how to nominate a NYC public school teacher (opens in new window) who has proven to have had an impact on student learning, and rigorous instructional practices, and has contributed to their school community. This year, students, families, administrators, and community members can submit a nomination. 

Nominated teachers will be considered for the Big Apple Award and—if selected—will have the opportunity to serve as a Big Apple Awards Fellow during the 2022-2023 school year, take part in the Chancellor’s Teacher Advisory Council, and receive a grant to use toward their classroom. 
Physical Education
New PE Basics 1 Asynchronous Course Now Available 
For the first time, PE teachers can complete foundational training in Physical Education Basics through a new asynchronous course (opens in new window), on their own time! Participants who complete the course will learn why fitness education is an essential component of teaching PE in New York City, and how to move students through the fitness education cycle with ease. The course is also designed to build teachers' confidence when administering the NYC FITNESSGRAM health-related fitness assessments. CTLE: 4 hours.

It's easy to enroll:

 
As a reminder, schools are required to complete NYC FITNESSGRAM assessments (opens in new window) for at least 85% of their eligible students. PE teachers must enter all student assessment scores in the NYC FITNESSGRAM web-based application (opens in new window) by May 26, 2023. If you are a PE teacher and do not already have access to the NYC FITNESSGRAM app, you should:

  • enroll in the PE Basics 1 asynchronous course; or,
  • register for the Introduction to NYC FITNESSGRAM Webinar (more information below). 

Introduction to NYC FITNESSGRAM Webinar
This 90-minute live webinar provides a review of the Fitness Education Cycle and an introduction to the NYC FITNESSGRAM assessments. Learn appropriate practices for conducting assessments and using results, and get access to resources needed to conduct the assessments. Eligible teachers who attend this session will be given full access to enter scores in the NYC FITNESSGRAM application. CTLE: 90 minutes. Register:
 

 
Other Upcoming PE Basics Offerings
Check out our upcoming PE Basics webinars for February and March, listed below. Attend the session(s) most relevant to your students’ needs. CTLE: 90 minutes each session. 
PE Basics 2 Secondary Series: Unit Planning 




PE Basics 3 Series: Community Building 

 
 
Grades K-12 New Opportunities to Support Inclusive Physical Education
Join the Strategies for Inclusion (opens in new window) two-part live webinar series to review universal design principles and strategies to include students with disabilities in PE. CTLE: 90 minutes. 


 

March 13: PE Online Professional Learning Community
Register for the next Physical Education Online Professional Learning Community (opens in new window) Citywide session on Monday, March 13. Reminder: PE OPLCs will take place on Zoom for the remainder of the school year. Please be sure to have access to the platform (DOE login required) to be able to fully engage. CTLE: 60 minutes. 

Health Education
Grades K-12: Upcoming Health Ed Basics Offerings
 
Health Ed Basics 1 Webinar: Teaching Skills-Based Health Education: Reserved for educators assigned to teach Health Education this year. If you are not teaching Health Ed, you will be asked to join another session.


Health Ed Basics 2 Spring Series: Teaching Sexual Health Education: Register for Parts 1 and 2.
 


Health Ed Basics 3: HIV/AIDS Curriculum: Register for your grade band. 
 

 

February 27: Health Education Online Professional Learning Community
Register now for the next Health Education Online Professional Learning Community (opens in new window) Citywide session on Monday, February 27. CTLE: 60 minutes. 

External Opportunities
Share with Graduating Seniors: Annual Yankees-Stonewall $10,000 Scholarship Opportunity  
The DOE in partnership with the Stonewall Inn (opens in new window) and the New York Yankees are accepting applications for the fifth annual Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship (opens in new window) to celebrate the achievements of college-bound seniors who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and impactful support of the LGBTQ community. Five students—one from each borough—will receive a one-time scholarship of $10,000. Encourage your high school senior students to apply (opens in new window) by the deadline of Monday, April 10.
 
Questions? Email Kalima Mckenzie-Simms (she/her) at LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov. 

The Office of School Wellness Programs and the DOE are committed to supporting LGBTQ students with ongoing resources, support, activities, and events. Thank you to all school staff who have continued to be allies to LGBTQ students and build safe and affirming environments. Continue to learn more about OUT for Safe Schools® training sessions (opens in new window) and GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliances) (opens in new window). 
9th Annual Be BRAVE Anti-Bullying Video Contest for Middle and High School Students 
The United Federation of Teachers' Be BRAVE Against Bullying program (opens in new window) is accepting submissions for the Be BRAVE Video Contest (opens in new window). Encourage your middle and high school students to submit a 3-to-5-minute video about bullying; submissions (opens in new window) are due by Wednesday, April 19. Winners will receive cash prizes for their schools and attend an awards ceremony in May. 

Photo credit: United Federation of Teachers
National Children's Dental Health Month Teacher Resources 
 
Continue promoting the benefits of good oral health to students this month to celebrate National Children’ Dental Health Month. Find out how to get your school involved in a school-based dental program in our School Wellness Weekly February 6 issue (opens in new window) (scroll to bottom), and see teacher resources and lesson plans below: 
 
The Teachers and Leaders edition of School Wellness Weekly shares concise, timely information on professional learning opportunities and events from our Office. Find details about the latest:

  • workshops, live and on-demand webinars, and events (including conferences)  
  • Online Professional Learning Communities
  • updates to our Professional Learning Catalog  

You are receiving this edition because you are subscribed to School Wellness Weekly. The bi-weekly Teachers and Leaders edition goes to educators and school leaders whose self-reported profile in our subscriber list indicates that they are a teacher, educator, coach, or principal.
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