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School Wellness Weekly
October 29, 2024
CORRECTED VERSION
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It's late October, and we're transitioning from Health Literacy and Bullying Prevention awareness month into Election Day—time to exercise your right to vote and your access to free learning at our Election Day Professional Learning conference on November 5.
As a government agency, NYC Public Schools not only provides a free public school education to nearly one million children and young adults, it also provides free professional learning to thousands of teachers each school year. The Office of School Wellness Programs is proud to be part of this commitment to ensure that teachers are equipped with up-to-date subject knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality, standards-based instruction that leads to healthy outcomes for students.
Together with trusted partner organizations, we are offering more than 60 live and asynchronous webinars on Tuesday, November 5, in 90-minute sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Topics range from culturally responsive health education and physical education to vaping prevention, mental health and depression education, navigating healthy relationships, gardening education, and much more!
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Note: All hyperlinks, including those above, open in a new tab.
Image: Photo by Krisanne Johnson. Graphic by Office of School Wellness Programs.
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Respect for All Contest: Deadline Approaching
As part of October's National Bullying Prevention Month and the NYCPS Respect for All program, NYCPS schools are encouraged to participate in the Respect for All contest. Students can showcase their artistic and creative talents to raise awareness of bullying and encourage prevention through writing, visual expression, and multimedia.
School staff: Access guidelines on the Respect for All InfoHub page. All submissions must be sent to your superintendent by Friday, November 15. Questions? Email RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov.
Image: NYCPS
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More Learning and Networking: NYS AHPERD Conference, November 20-23
Calling all PE and health education teachers! The New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYS AHPERD) is a nonprofit, member organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting health and physical educators, higher education professionals, and future leaders. Each November, NYS AHPERD hosts a conference featuring expert-led workshops that keep educators current on the latest trends, while fostering collaboration among and across industries with vendors, policymakers, and other key stakeholders who impact and influence health and physical education in New York State.
This year’s conference takes place Wednesday, November 20 to Saturday, November 23 in Verona, New York. Visit the NYS AHPERD website or contact nysahperd@nysahperd.org to learn more and take the next steps in becoming a leader in the field.
Elementary and Middle Schools: CHAMPS Winter Season Starts December 2
The CHAMPS Sports and Fitness Program gives elementary and middle school students—regardless of athletic or physical ability—the chance to participate in free, before- and after-school sports and fitness-related activities in a fun, safe, encouraging environment. The CHAMPS Winter season runs from Monday, December 2 to Friday, February 14.
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Principals must apply by Tuesday, November 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Past CHAMPS seasons have included collaborations with trusted partners like New York Road Runners, NFL (for flag football), and Jr. NBA. For questions about CHAMPS or the application process, school leaders and staff can email their Office of School Wellness Programs borough team.
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Health Teachers: Start Planning for World AIDS Day, December 1
A powerful way to observe and honor World AIDS Day (December 1) is to teach the New York City Public Schools’ Growing Up and Staying Safe HIV Education lessons, which are required for every student, every year.
These lessons increase students’ awareness and knowledge about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); promote health skills that can offer protection, prevention and care; and encourage actions that will help eliminate stigma around the epidemic.
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Grades K-5: Classroom teachers can use World AIDS Day to kick off the lesson series as part of health education.
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Grades 6-12: Access this guidance document for examples of how schools can teach the lessons in observance of World AIDS Day.
Condom Availability Program Training: Next Fall Series Starts November 7
The New York City Public Schools' Condom Availability Program (CAP) empowers students in grades 9-12 with knowledge and tools to make healthy, informed choices. CAP is a key part of the HIV Education program. It helps students navigate important topics like sexual and reproductive health, healthy relationships, and avoiding risky behaviors. To implement the program, each NYCPS high school must have at least two NYCPS staff who have completed the 3-part training series.
School staff: Join the next training series starting Thursday, November 7, and become CAP-certified:
Just in Time for Halloween! New Elementary Oral Health Lessons
New oral health lessons are available on WeTeachNYC for teachers of students in Kindergarten and Grade 3—just in time for Halloween. As we celebrate this candy-filled season, we want to ensure our students understand the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Download these interactive lessons and use them now to provide students with knowledge and tools they need to practice dental hygiene habits that are hauntingly good! Lessons supplement selected units in the New York City K-5 Health Education Scope and Sequence.
Help parents and caregivers reinforce the concepts at home by sharing these resources from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
Image: From Growing up and Staying Safe lessons, Grade 5 slides
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Building the Wellness Community | |
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Free PE and Physical Activity Resources from Rising New York Road Runners
Rising New York Road Runners offers free, easy-to-use PE resources to bring physical activity to your school’s classrooms, running team, after-school program, and beyond. This running-based program helps students in grades Pre-K through 12 develop the lifelong ability, confidence, and desire to be physically active, with a developmental approach tailored to their age, needs, and ability. Program highlights include:
- Online PLAYBuilder platform with 1,100+ standards–aligned activities and videos Lesson plans adaptable to varying group sizes and equipment availability
- Incentives, including running gear and equipment
- Professional development offering CTLE
- Access to world-class in-person and virtual events.
Email risingnyrr@nyrr.org or call 646-758-9717 to learn more; or start your free enrollment today.
Secondary Students: Vaping Prevention Poster Contest – Cash Prizes!
All New York City middle and high school students are invited to submit entries to a public service announcement (PSA) contest sponsored by CATCH My Breath, a nationally recognized vaping prevention program. Winners will receive cash prizes up to $500 and promotion for their work. Posters should address the dangers and negative effects of vaping and the skills needed to handle pressure. See contest website for more information. Submission deadline: Saturday, November 30.
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Parents/Caregivers of Teens: Free Webinars to Improve Communication Around Sexual Health
Teens ages 11 to 19 and their supportive adults are invited to join a two-part, live Linking Families and Teens (LiFT) webinar series hosted by New York City Teens Connection to support families and teens to start open, honest conversations around sexual and reproductive health.
Webinars are Tuesday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Register for the series in English or Spanish. Gift cards will be provided to participants who attend both sessions.
Sustainability Project Grant Up to $5,000: Applications Due November 4
Through the NYCPS Office of Energy and Sustainability’s Annual Sustainability Project Grant, schools can apply for up to $5,000 in funding or materials to support sustainability projects. Funding is available for the following categories of projects:
- Sustainability & Climate Education
- Climate Action & Advocacy
- Gardens & Outdoor Learning
Submit your application by Monday, November 4.
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Show Some Love to Your Food Services Staff! Youth Food Advocates Gratitude Campaign
Every day, food services staff from the Office of Food and Nutrition Services (OFNS) serve over 800,000 school meals across the five boroughs. Student members of Youth Food Advocates designed a Gratitude Campaign to bring awareness to and celebrate the important role of OFNS staff within the school community. Use this free youth-created toolkit with your students so they can practice advocacy skills and understand the critical connection between nutrition, education, and their physical and mental well-being. Start now to create notes and cards to share with food services staff in time for Thanksgiving!
We're Walking Here! PSA Competition: Class Prizes Up to $1,000
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) “We're Walking Here" competition encourages students to think about and discuss ways to change dangerous driver behavior and better protect ourselves to prevent fatalities and injuries. As part of the competition, students can create an original public service announcement (PSA) using written lyrics, informal music videos, or dances.
Winning PSAs will be professionally produced and made available to the general public, and used by the NYC DOT.
Image: Courtesy New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
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Election Day Food Education Professional Learning Opportunities
In addition to the webinars offered on Tuesday, November 5 from the Office of School Wellness Programs, the NYCPS Food Education team invites educators to join them for a special Election Day lineup of online workshops that will provide practical strategies for incorporating food education into lesson planning. These workshops offer a unique opportunity to connect virtually with other educators, share best practices, and learn from experts in the field. Don't miss this opportunity to ignite learning and community spirit around nutrition and food education on Election Day!
Featured Sessions:
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Civic Engagement in the Food System (Grades 9-12) (8:30 – 9:30 a.m.): Engage high school students in the political issues surrounding the food system.
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Register: Civic Engagement in the Food System
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Food Culture and Food Justice: Using Food to Increase Middle School Student Engagement in Social Studies and ELA (Grades 6-8) (9:30 – 10:30 a.m.): Explore lessons and strategies for incorporating food into middle school curriculum.
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Register: Food Culture & Food Justice
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Using Seed-to-Table Activities to Promote Family Engagement at Your School (3K-Grade 8) (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.): Learn how to involve families in your school community through food and gardening initiatives.
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Register: Seed-to-Table
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Intentional Appetites & Food Literacy: Using Olfactory & Taste Sensories to Teach Literacy (Grades K-8) (10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.): Discover how to integrate food, nutrition, wellness, and mindfulness into your literacy instruction.
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Register: Intentional Appetites - THIS SESSION IS FULL
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Harvest Joy: Reaping the Rewards of Your Garden (Grades 6-8) (11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.): Learn to cultivate cool-weather crops, employ natural fertilizers, and optimize your garden's success.
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Register: Harvesting Joy
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We Did It with Teamwork: Using Cooking and Gardening to Support Students' Social-Emotional Well-Being (3K-Grade 8) (11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.): Explore strategies for fostering collaboration, confidence, and empathy through food-based activities.
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Register: Teamwork and Well-being
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Integrating Academics into Cooking and Gardening Lessons (3K-Grade 8) (12:30 - 1:30 p.m.): Discover how to incorporate math, literacy, science, and social studies into hands-on food education.
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Register: Integrating Academics - THIS SESSION IS FULL
Photo: Markus Spiske on Unsplash
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Health Corner
From our colleagues at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
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Keeping your Neighborhood Safe: What to Know About Tobacco and Vaping Products Retail Laws
Tobacco and e-cigarette use affects the health and academic success of young New Yorkers. In addition to being exposed to toxic chemicals from using these products, the nicotine in tobacco and e-cigarettes (vaping products) can affect their developing brain, including their memory, concentration, learning ability and mental health.
City and state retail laws are in place to protect youth, including from industry tactics. For example, stores in NYC are not allowed to:
- Sell tobacco and or e-cigarette products without a license
- Sell any flavored vaping products or sell tobacco products in flavors other than mint or menthol
- Sell loose cigarettes (“loosies”)
- Sell to people younger than age 21
- Display tobacco or e-cigarette ads, products, or paraphernalia in their windows or on their doors if they are within 500 feet (~two short blocks) of a school
City agencies inspect thousands of stores each year for compliance with city laws. Parents, families, and community members can also play a key role in keeping their communities and youth safe. If you think a retail law is being broken, submit a complaint by calling 311 or visiting nyc.gov/311 and search for tobacco sale complaint or e-cigarette sale complaint.
Check out the What New Yorkers Need To Know about Tobacco, E-Cigarette and Cannabis Stores in NYC fact sheet to learn about tobacco and e-cigarette retail laws and for more information on how to submit complaints. The fact sheet is also available in other languages on the Flavored Tobacco and Recreational Nicotine Products webpage.
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