School Wellness Weekly

02.15.18


Mental Health and a Little Respect ...
Go a Long Way For All!   
As part of this week’s Respect For All activities, school communities across the City highlighted our commitment to safe and supportive learning environments that are free from harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination for all students, staff, and community members. Promoting respect is one way to reinforce the ways in which good mental health impacts students’ well-being and academic success. Another way is teaching required Health Education to every student in grades K-12, every year. Social, Emotional, and Mental Health concepts are vital components of the NYCDOE’s recommended Health Education curricula. They cover topics like accepting differences in others, managing stress and feelings, and choosing healthy relationships.
 
Mental health has long been encouraged as part of comprehensive health education instruction, but this year it is formally written into New York State law. Starting July 1, mental health must be included in State-mandated health education , making New York the first state to require schools to teach mental health. Thank you for supporting robust physical and health education instruction, and promoting access to mental health services as outlined in the NYCDOE Wellness Policy , so that students graduate with the skills they need to take care of their minds and their bodies.
 
Educators and school staff can also browse our Professional Learning Catalog and register for workshops this spring to brush up on skills like creating community in your PE learning environment, teaching yoga, creating LGBTQ Affirming Schools, and more. For more information on how to strengthen health education at your school, email healthed@schools.nyc.gov .

Above Photo: Wellness Day, Bard High School Early College (01M696), March 27, 2017. Photo: Kirsten Luce
Student Contest: Submit by March 19, 2018 and Stand Up For School Wellness!
The new 2018 School Wellness Campaign Contest is open, giving all K – 12 New York City public school students the opportunity to create a campaign or public service announcement (PSA) about a school health or wellness issue they care about. School prizes include a free school mural created in partnership with Groundswell , field trips, t-shirts printed with the winning design, and other surprises! The student winner in the song, spoken word, and video category gets to work with Hip Hop Public Health and professional producers to produce a free track for their video. Learn more and enter by downloading contest guidelines . For more information, contact wellness@schools.nyc.gov . Application deadline is 3/19.
Physical Education
March 2: Relaxed, Restored, and Ready to Learn: Yoga Instruction for Secondary Physical Education (PE). Grades 6-12 PE teachers, register for the session in Staten Island.

March 5: Secondary Teachers in Brooklyn with Weight Rooms: Learn Skills and Strategies for Safe PE Instruction. Join Bigger Faster Stronger (BFS) for a full-day session. Grades 6-12 PE teachers, register for the session in Brooklyn. See our 2017-18 Professional Learning Catalog for additional dates.
Health Education
Mastering the Basics: Register for these professional learning workshops to build subject area mastery, expertise in delivering instruction, and collaboration among colleagues:

  • March 1: High School Education Basics I: Comprehensive Skills-Based Health Education. Grades 9-12 health education teachers, register for the session in the Bronx.
  • March 2: Middle School Health Education Basics IV: LGBTQ Affirming Schools. Grades K-12 staff, register for the session in Brooklyn.
  • March 2: High School Health Education Basics II-A: Sexual Health Education. Prerequisite: High School Health Education Basics I. Grades 9-12 health education teachers, register for the session in the Bronx.
  • March 8: Middle School Health Education Basics II: Comprehensive Sexual Health Education. Grades 6-8 health education teachers, register for the session in Queens.
  • March 15. Middle School Health Education Basics I: Comprehensive Skills-Based Health Education. Grades 6-8 health education teachers, register for the session in the Bronx. 
Building the Wellness Community
February 28: School Wellness: Best Practices for School Wellness Councils. School staff, parents, and school community partners, register for the session in Brooklyn.
 
Teen Dating Violence and Prevention Month
Foster healthy relationship education in your school community this month by checking out these free NYCDOE resources ( DOE login required ) containing lesson plans, activities, and recommended themes that promote healthy relationships among students.
Taking Physical Literacy All the Way to the Finish Line
Eighth-grader Christopher Luna triumphantly qualified for the Rising New York Road Runners (NYRR) Boys' 800 meter finals, crossing the finish line with a time of 2 minutes and 37 seconds at the Millrose Games on 2/3, making his Sunset Park Prep (15K821) school community and close-knit family proud. The Rising NYRR program teaches students foundational movement skills and confidence – and is also loads of fun! Check out the NBC video piece courtesy of NYRR.
PE Teacher and Big Apple Award Winner Rose Newman Leads Jump Rope for Heart Assembly to Raise Funds
Always a champion motivator, first-ever PE teacher Big Apple Award winner Rose Newman led her students through an energetic Jump Rope for Heart Assembly at PS 118 (29Q118) in Queens to raise money for the American Heart Association. Since starting the campaign on 2/5, her students have not only learned how to jump rope and stay healthy, but also worked together with Rose and the entire school community to raise over $800. Check out this video and visit the webpage to see their progress.  ( Above Photo: Rose Newman, PE Teacher, Think-Move-Achieve Conference, June 8, 2017. Photo: Kirsten Luce)
Free School Garden Kit from Slow Food USA
Slow Food USA is launching a Plant a Seed Campaign for Spring 2018 with a focus on the “Three Sisters” — beans, corn and squash — of the Ark of Taste . Free seed kits are available for 300 low-resource schools; use promo code plantschoolfree . Schools can also buy kits at 50% off using the code plantschoolhalf . Order today!
Start Your Spring Garden Planning Now! Free Edible Schoolyard NYC Workshop
Need step-by-step ways to start your school garden? Edible Schoolyard NYC is offering a free workshop on 3/1 on simple options for garden beds, ways to water, testing and buying soil, what to plant and when, as well as making a planting plan. Register today.
 
Free Physical Activity Training for PE Teachers
Bronx Health Reach is offering free physical activity training on 2/26 , 7:30 a.m. -- 2:30 p.m., at PS 218 (09X218) in the Bronx. PE teachers will learn to create structured indoor and outdoor play, class management techniques, and other teaching tools. Participants receive a toolkit, activity ideas and more. Space is limited; RSVP by 2/23 by calling Moria Byrne-Zaalof, 212-633-0800, ext. 1287.