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School Wellness Weekly
April 30, 2021
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Only in the Big Apple: Part 1 |
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The iconic Big Apple. Yes, New York City may be on the travel bucket lists of millions across the world, but what makes our City truly special is its resilience—the ability of New Yorkers, time and time again, to recover and show up for each other when needed the most.
Our educators also continue to show up for our public school students, day in and day out, remotely or in-person. This past year underscored the importance of our students’ physical and mental health and social-emotional needs. PE and Health Education, supported by School Wellness Councils, address those critical needs by teaching students what they need to know to rebound and thrive: how to be physically literate and active, and how to care for their bodies, minds, and relationships.
This is why we are excited to highlight five outstanding educators who have prioritized the well-being of their students and officially announce them as this year's Big Apple Award Physical Education finalists!
- Jennifer Bernstein, P.S. 186 Dr. Irving A. Gladstone (20K186)
- Joann Cucich, Susan E. Wagner High School (31R460)
- Alexander Faba, P.S. 125 Ralph Bunche (05M125)
- Sasha Roopchand, The Brooklyn Green School (16K898)
- Christina Semey, South Richmond High School I.S./P.S. 25 (75R025)
Read a detailed profile of each of the finalists in next week’s special issue of School Wellness Weekly, and find out why they love to teach PE and how they deliver high-quality lessons to their students. The Big Apple Awards (opens in new window) is an annual Citywide recognition program that celebrates teachers who go above and beyond to serve our students and families.
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We’re also looking forward to giving our NYC public schools dedicated time to celebrate all things PE and physical activity right here in the Big Apple.
OPEN and the Office of School Wellness Programs are working together to host Virtual Field Day for all NYC schools, June 14 to 18. Read below for a free OPEN information session on May 11. On Twitter? Let your school community know to use the following hashtags during our Virtual Field Day to show districts across the country what #PEinNYC looks like. #NationalFieldDay #NYCSchoolWellness #MovetoImproveNYC
Photo credit: Charlotte May, Pexels
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June 3: Think-Move-Achieve: Online Professional Learning Opportunities for Physical Education, Health Education and School Wellness
Save the date for our biggest professional learning day of the year! Thursday, June 3, is Chancellor’s Conference Day for staff development and a non-instructional day for students, and the Office of School Wellness Programs is hosting a wide variety of live professional learning webinar sessions with DOE content area specialists and partner organizations, as well as online communities and on-demand recorded video sessions. Look for updates and registration information in upcoming School Wellness Weekly issues.
School Wellness Council Online Community: End-of-Year Highlights on May 12
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Now Available: Support for Using Danielson Framework in Physical Education
The Specific Considerations document highlights unique characteristics of quality PE that may look different from those of a traditional classroom. It offers specific considerations through questions for school leaders and PE teachers to discuss when providing feedback, engaging in pre- and post-observations, and planning next steps. Teachers can also elect to use the component-aligned questions to guide their thinking, as they plan and reflect on their instructional practice. This resource will play an important role in moving schools toward providing even more quality PE that promotes culturally responsive, sustainable educational practices; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; and PE-specific guidance for difficult topics like Danielson 3a and 3b. Questions? Email your Office of School Wellness Programs borough team (opens in new window).
K-12 Special Olympics: New York Inclusive Fitness Programming
Join a free session on Thursday, May 6 (opens in new window) presented by Special Olympics New York (opens in new window) and the Office of School Wellness Programs, focusing on giving students the training and exercise that they need to return to their sport stronger and better than ever. The program is designed with flexibility in mind; schools can utilize it in-person, virtually, or a combination of the two. Training can be integrated into PE classes, after-school programs, or movement breaks throughout the day. Educators are eligible for 60 minutes of CTLE.
PE Professional Learning Sessions from OPEN (Online Physical Education Network)
Register now for the following workshops presented by OPEN (opens in new window) to learn innovative techniques and tools for providing remote and in-person quality PE instruction, while prioritizing students’ physical, mental, social, and emotional needs. All sessions offer educators 60 minutes of CTLE.
Use Outdoor Space for PE and Physical Activity: DOE Application Still Open
The DOE Outdoor Learning Survey (opens in new window) remains open for schools to request additional park and street space as more students return in person. The DOE recently added a process for schools to request street and park space for graduations and end-of-year events. The DOE Outdoor Learning Initiative launched last fall established a standard, Central-level process for public schools to request and secure additional park and street space.
All Schools: 6-Feet Physical Distancing Guideline Still Applies for PE and Physical Activity
To ensure we continue to keep our students and educators safe and healthy, schools must still maintain at least six feet of physical distance for students participating in PE class and physical activity, regardless of grade level. See details in the NYC Physical Education Return to School Guidelines (opens in new window), which are in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New York State guidance.
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Move-to-Improve Activities Available Soon on PBS Let’s Learn Broadcast!
The DOE’s Move-to-Improve program is coming to public TV in May! Younger students (3-K through grade 2) can get active by watching these upcoming Let’s Learn (opens in new window) episodes airing on channel 21, WLIW (Long Island) at 9:00 a.m. and Channel 13, WNET (NYC metro area) at 11:00 a.m.:
- Wednesday, May 12: Move-to-Improve: Listen Up
- Wednesday, May 19: PE: Pace or Race
- Thursday, May 20: Move-to-Improve: Pace Yourself
Two additional videos, "Show How Many" and "True or False," are pending scheduling so be sure to stay tuned! Grades K-5/6 classroom teachers can also register for a free, one-hour webinar on Tuesday, May 25 (opens in new window) to learn how to use Move-to-Improve to get students up and moving during the day to improve their health and stay focused on learning. Visit the Move-to-Improve page (opens in new window) in our Professional Learning catalog for additional details.
Grades 6-12 PE Teachers: Learn How to Use Fitness for Life Free Curriculum
It’s not too early to get a jump-start on preparing for next year’s instruction. Register for webinars that introduce the Middle School Fitness for Life (2nd Edition) curriculum and High School Fitness for Life (6th Edition) curriculum—now available free in the DOE’s TeachHub—and show how to use these resources to provide PE instruction in remote, blended, and in-person environments.
Connect with Your PE Peers: PE Online Professional Learning Communities
Register to network with other PE teachers in your borough this May to share resources, ask questions, and get new ideas to keep your Physical Education instruction strong and your students engaged.
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Wrap Up the Year with Your Health Ed Peers: Health Education Online Professional Learning Communities
Health Education Online Professional Learning Opportunities with Advocates for Youth
Register for upcoming online professional learning opportunities with Advocates for Youth (opens in new window) to help deliver high-quality Health Education to your students in a blended or remote environment. Learn how to answer challenging questions when teaching the recommended puberty education units, and strategies for teaching the mandatory HIV/AIDS lessons:
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Building the Wellness Community |
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Save the Date: Special Event for Students and GSAs Hosted by NewFest
Part of "LGBTQ History & Heroes Onscreen"—in partnership with the DOE— NewFest, LGBTQ+ Film and Media (opens in new media) will be providing a free screening of "The Times of Harvey Milk" on Wednesday, May 19 at 4:00 p.m. (film access begins Monday, May 17). Students and GSA members can also join a Q&A session moderated by the Office of School Safety and Youth Development. Look for registration details in an upcoming issue of School Wellness Weekly.
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