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School Wellness Weekly
October 28, 2021
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Championing for Student Well-Being with CHAMPS |
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Physical activity and school connectedness are vital for students’ health, well-being and academic success—and they are key to helping school communities heal and recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOE’s CHAMPS Sports and Fitness Program (opens in new window) engages elementary and middle school students, regardless of athletic or physical ability, in activities that help them stay active now and throughout their lives.
CHAMPS before- and after-school physical activities create opportunities for students to sharpen the skills they learn in PE, while building trust and deeper relationships with their fellow student-athletes. The 2021-2022 CHAMPS program model was designed to give high-need schools in neighborhoods most impacted by COVID-19 the resources they need to help students, staff, families, and caretakers be healthy. In addition, we continue to provide opportunities to schools that had CHAMPS programs at least once in the past three school years.
We remain committed to shining a spotlight on schools and teachers across the City who are creating healthy and active school communities. All schools, whether they participate in CHAMPS or not, have access to free CHAMPS guides to help them plan and lead low-risk sports and recreational activities; continue reading this issue for:
- The story of how a CHAMPS teacher-coach in the Bronx used a popular morning activity program to improve attendance
- Free CHAMPS Physical Activity Guides available for all schools
Photo credit: CHAMPS student-athletes playing volleyball (left to right): Leslie Cabreja, Xina Ayala, Yoana Hernandez. Center, PE teacher and CHAMPS coach Jonathon Warchol, Creston Academy, 10X447.
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Missed our first Teacher-Leader Edition of School Wellness Weekly yesterday? Check out the issue (opens in new window) where we highlight the launch of our PE and Health Education Online Professional Learning Communities; update your profile information if you are a teacher, educator, coach, or principal and want to receive timely and concise updates on our professional learning opportunities. Additional details are in the issue.
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Championing for Student Success at Creston Academy with CHAMPS
In this issue of School Wellness Weekly, we highlight Jonathon Warchol, PE teacher and CHAMPS Coach at Creston Academy in the Bronx (10X447), who used CHAMPS funding last year to start a morning volleyball program that led to improved student attendance and punctuality.
During the 2020-2021 school year, more than 300 district public schools serving elementary and middle school grades across the City provided their students with safe, engaging physical activity options through CHAMPS.
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What do you love most about participating in CHAMPS?
Students develop passion for the game. Their extracurricular experience in high school, college, or in adult club leagues could all be a result of their experience on our team. Our goal is to build that passion for the game and being part of a team. Seeing our students enjoying that is the ultimate award.
Any words about how your program had a positive impact in your school or community?
We practice at 7:00 a.m., and we have nearly 100% attendance at our practices. I think their attendance speaks to their commitment, and I remind them of that often. In addition, the CHAMPS program helps get those students to school on time, and they are beginning their day with a great experience shared with their friends.
What’s your favorite CHAMPS activity?
Most definitely Developmental and Competitive Volleyball. The opportunities for growth as a coach provided by CHAMPS are awesome. Coaches from competing schools are friendly (even when competing) and share information freely. It is easy to measure the growth of student athletes by tracking stats in passing, serving, and hitting. And, there are many high schools that offer volleyball through PSAL [Public Schools Athletic League (opens in new window)], making this a sport where our student athletes can continue to grow.
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What continues to inspire you?
It’s the quiet students who join the team who really get to me. Those are the athletes that I want to join the team because I feel they are at an important point where they really believe they can be successful, but they just need someone to say, “I believe in you.” Seeing them open up as they begin to develop trust in me—and the team—is a powerful thing.
If you could share anything that you do with other CHAMPS coaches, what would it be?
Taking trips and volunteering as a team can help build that strong bond between players. We volunteer in the New York Botanical Garden moving mulch, and students love it. We also travel to see the Fordham women's volleyball team, the Fordham men's football team, and Hunter College’s men’s volleyball team. Seeing the game played at the elite level gives the players a huge boost of motivation. When they do Q&A’s with the players after a game, it makes our younger players more passionate. Spending time together outside of doing drills can give a team a big boost in other ways.
Photo credits: PE teacher and CHAMPS coach Jonathon Warchol, Creston Academy, 10X447
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Share Dating and Intimate Partner Violence Resources for LGBTQ+ Students
LGBTQ students are at high risk for dating and intimate partner violence. According to 2017 YRBS data, 17.2% of high school students who identify as LGBTQ will experience physical dating violence, a number that soars to 54% for trans people (U.S. Transgender Survey, 2015). As part of high-quality Health Education instruction in NYCDOE schools, students receive the foundational, lifelong skills to:
- be socially, emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy
- identify what makes a relationship healthy
- communicate with others and navigate conflict resolution
- respect differences in others
- Navigating Healthy LGBTQIA+ Relationships workshop
- LGBTQ+ inclusivity toolkit
- LGBTQ+ relationship support guide for trusted adults
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Free CHAMPS Physical Activity Guides for All Schools
Schools play a vital role creating a safe and healthy environment for students. At school, students can benefit from physical activity to:
- support stress reduction;
- promote safe social interaction;
- build the social-emotional skills needed for life.
The Office of School Wellness Programs partnered with organizations to offer free access to online physical activity guides that provide students with safe, high-quality physical activity options and can meet the unique needs of school communities Citywide. The Office of School Wellness Programs developed the guides for the CHAMPS Sports and Fitness Program (opens in new window, requires DOE login), but all schools, whether they participate in CHAMPS or not, can use these lessons and guides to enhance existing before- or after-school physical activity programming and/or Physical Education classes.
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Building the Wellness Community |
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Micro Grants for LGBTQ+ Youth from Brooklyn YAS
Brooklyn YAS (Youth Against Substance Misuse) Coalition is committed to creating community-level change to prevent substance misuse in LGBTQ+ youth in Brooklyn. To provide financial assistance to LGBTQ+ young adults in NYC, Brooklyn YAS is providing micro grants for:
- Unexpected expenses.
- Unpaid bills and/or fines.
- Help with groceries and other situations our young adults might be experiencing.
DOE Office of Sustainability Project Grant Is Now Open
The DOE Office of Sustainability is proud to offer their 6th Annual Sustainability Project Grant (opens in new window) to DOE schools; apply by November 10. The grant is an opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 funding to support achievable and impactful sustainability projects at your school. Grant funding is made possible by revenue from the DOE's Demand Response program and focuses on these areas:
- Sustainability Education
- Gardens and Outdoor Learning
- Green Team Supports
- Demonstration Solar Installation
Mental Health and Well-Being Webinar for Families and Caregivers
- hear from a doctor and young adults, and have open and honest conversations about mental health
- engage with a panel of subject matter experts, clinicians, and community members who will share their stories and resources
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