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School Wellness Weekly

06.13.19


Now Available! Grades 6-12 Scope and Sequences
for Health Education and PE
The Think-Move-Achieve Conference on Chancellor’s Day marked the release of the DOE's new health education and physical education scope and sequence resources for grades 6-12. The complete set of K-12 scope and sequences for health and PE is available on WeTeachNYC.org:


Developed by DOE educators and subject experts and designed to meet the unique needs of NYC schools, the new secondary scope and sequences will help ensure that all students have equitable access to standards-based, high-quality instruction that meets state requirements. Teachers: Be sure to check School Wellness Weekly in September for PE and Health Ed Basics workshops that will introduce the scope and sequence and how to deliver skills-based instruction in these key academic subjects.

For questions about physical education, email PEworks@schools.nyc.gov ; for questions about health education, email healthedworks@schools.nyc.gov .

Photo: Students in PE class at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Manhattan. Photo: Kirsten Luce.
Wellness Highlights
E-Cigarettes and Vaping: New Resources for Your School Community
You can help address and prevent the use of e-cigarettes among youth by educating your school staff, parents/guardians, and students on the health risks and effects of these tobacco products. According to the U.S. Surgeon General , e-cigarette use or “vaping” has become an epidemic among U.S. youth. Take action now:

  1. Teach the State-required comprehensive health education lessons, which include a unit on tobacco and other drug-use prevention. This instruction provides students with knowledge and skills that can change behaviors around tobacco and e-cigarette use. See WeTeachNYC for the health education Scope and Sequence and other lesson-planning tools.
  2. Share the following materials with your school community, and consider distributing this information in summer orientation packets:


** These resources are in all DOE-supported languages on the Health Forms and Notices page of the DOE Infohub; scroll to “Substance Abuse”).


Cel ebr ati ng NY C Pr ide: March with the DOE!

Join the NYCDOE at the Manhattan Heritage of Pride march on 6/30 in solidarity with and honor of LGBTQ+ students, staff, and family members. Please note there are separate registration forms for schools and for individual NYCDOE employees .
Looking for resources?


Photo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Physical Education: Champion Spotlight
In this issue, we highlight the work of Christine Johnson , an adapted physical education teacher who was selected to coach golf at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.
“My students with varied abilities continue to astound me with their perseverance and tenacity.”

For adapted physical education teacher Christine Johnson, coming up with one stand-out moment from the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi would be impossible. Every moment at the weeklong event held in March was powerful and humbling, said Johnson, who was chosen to coach golf at the World Games and teaches at PS/IS 48, PS 69, and IS 63 in Staten Island.

“It was one giant wow,” said Johnson. “One thing I really liked was it wasn’t political. People from all over the world–every coach, every athlete, everyone–embraced each other. It was all high fives and shaking hands. Everyone had a smile.”

More than 7,500 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 200 countries participated in this year’s World Games. This marked the second time that Johnson has coached at the international event. In 1995, she coached softball and was thrilled to meet Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics

“One woman had a vision and it exploded,” Johnson said. “She changed the lives of every special needs person around the world.”

Though Johnson has been teaching adapted PE to elementary and middle school students for 33 years, she still looks for new, creative ways to modify physical activities.

Photo: Christine Johnson (second from left) at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy of Christine Johnson.
Health Education
Condom Availability Program Summer Prep and Free Info for Students
In preparation for summer, Condom Availability Program staff members should assess all supplies of condoms available at their schools. If you have any condoms that have expired or were exposed to extreme heat or cold, or if you have surplus condoms that can’t be stored between 68–86 degrees Fahrenheit this summer, arrange for pick-up by emailing CAP2@schools.nyc.gov by 6/26 . Free condoms and sexual health information are available to students over the summer. To find locations, use this searchable map .

Upcoming Professional Learning
Gain new skills and resources before the end of the school year -- including hands-on guidance on the new grades 9-12 Scope and Sequence -- by registering for these upcoming health education trainings:
OFFICE OF SCHOOL HEALTH CORNER
Vision, Dental, and Mental Health Services
The Office of School Health has various programs that can help support and improve children’s well-being. With the school year winding down, remember that it’s never too late to inquire about what programs your school may offer.
  • The Vision Program provides vision screenings to children in pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade. When vision problems go undetected, this can hinder a child’s ability to learn and participate in daily activities. If your child has failed their vision screening in school, they should follow up with an eye doctor and complete an E12s Eye Report and Recommendation Form.

  • Tooth decay is preventable yet it is the No. 1 chronic disease among children. It can cause pain, tooth-loss, and difficulty eating and speaking. NYC Health provides tips on how to prevent tooth decay. Dental services are now available at over 750 schools. Speak to a school staff member to find out if services are available at your school. Contact NYCDOHMHDental@health.nyc.gov for more information or to find a dental provider.

  • The emotional and mental health of our children is just as important as their physical health. The School Mental Health Program offers a variety of models and services within each school community. If you feel that a student needs services, you can speak to the school’s parent coordinator, school social worker, or guidance counselor for more information.