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School Wellness Weekly
February 2, 2022
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PE, Health Education, and SEL Go Hand-in-Hand |
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We teach students at an early age how important it is to work together, the power of community-building, how teamwork goes hand in hand with success in school and life—those lessons continue to drive our own work to support schools.
As educators across the City continue to stretch themselves to fill multiple roles, we remain focused on providing resources and opportunities that support them in creating and sustaining healthy environments for students. By working together to help educators deliver high-quality Health and Physical Education instruction—core academic subjects that directly address students’ physical, mental, and emotional health—the Office of School Wellness Programs helps to ensure that schools can meet students’ social-emotional learning needs as well.
PE and Health Education, School Wellness Councils, and physical activity programs like CHAMPS, create opportunities for students to learn and practice the communication and advocacy skills they need to reach their full potential. Providing high-quality classroom instruction, wraparound programming, and an advisory group from within the school community is a holistic approach to keeping the well-being of students front and center.
Read below for our highlight of a teacher in a Queens school who created a weekend CHAMPS basketball and fitness program to help students stay active and connected, even during these challenging times. Bookmark and share these resources to help you support students’ social-emotional well-being:
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Download the free Crosswalk (opens in new window) for SHAPE America and CASEL Social Emotional Competencies: Aligns National Standards, Grade Level Outcomes for K-12 and CASEL’s SEL competencies to identify where SEL competencies are applicable in teaching PE.
Photo credit: New York City Department of Education, Office of School Wellness Programs
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Keeping Students Healthy and Connected at P.S. 036 Saint Albans School
Health and Physical Education teacher Salvatore Merenda at P.S. 036 Saint Albans School (29Q036) in Queens, knows the importance of building a community where students feel healthy, active, and connected. With the support of his school’s administration, Salvatore started a Saturday morning CHAMPS basketball and fitness program for their students using CHAMPS funding. A CHAMPS program (opens in new window) was also part of P.S. 036’s School Wellness Council (opens in new window) goals for the school year. Thanks to donations, the school received new basketballs and student uniform items emblazoned with the school's name and mascot. P.S. 036 “Wolves” not only get to acquire basketball skills in a fun, engaging, and safe environment, but they also collectively learn about healthy snacking habits and how nutrition can help them live a long healthy life.
We asked Salvatore why he loves to teach Health and Physical Education: “I love teaching [it] for so many reasons! Smiling student faces, their excitement for PE and Health, and watching our scholars grow into student athletes, just to name a few. The Office of School Wellness Programs has provided our school community, as a partner school, with endless support and resources. We couldn’t be prouder of our P.S. 36 Wolves!”
Note: For the 2021-2022 school year, P.S. 036 agreed to partner with the Office of School Wellness Programs to receive dedicated, tailored support as one of the many schools in a NYC neighborhood hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo: CHAMPS student-athletes at P.S. 036 Saint Albans School in Queens; photo courtesy: Salvatore Merenda.
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Health Education and Physical Education |
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High School Professional Development Day Highlights—and Thank You!
More than 300 educators and staff serving grades 9-12 and 6-12 schools came together virtually for our sessions during High School Professional Development Day on Monday, January 31. Office of School Wellness Programs content specialists and trusted partner organizations facilitated sessions covering topics on (just to name a few):
- Health and Physical Education basics
- How school sports can combat racism
- The deep connections between Health and Physical Education and SEL
- Supporting students’ mental health during COVID-19
Stay tuned to School Wellness Weekly in the coming months for our professional learning opportunities on Chancellor’s Conference Day in June. Visit our Professional Learning Catalog (opens in new window) often for the latest opportunities scheduled for the remainder of the school year.
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Building the Wellness Community |
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Student Opportunity: Apply for New York Road Runners Run for the Future |
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NYRR Run for the Future (opens in new window) is a free seven-week program from New York Road Runners that introduces grade 11 and 12 high school young women* to the sport of running. Spring season starts April 25; applications are due by Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Summer season applications are due by Friday, April 15, 2022. Photo credit: New York Road Runners.
With support from the NYRR’s program team and coaching staff, participants learn running techniques and goal setting to develop the ability, confidence, and motivation to be active for life. Participants also receive lessons in self-care and wellness that introduce a holistic approach to achieving their fitness goals. In addition, they receive:
- a MetroCard for in-person practices
- New Balance uniforms and sneakers
- healthy snacks
- a wellness kit to support their running and fitness needs
Those who maintain an 80% attendance rate during practice sessions and participate in the culminating 5K race will receive a $500 wellness grant to invest in their personal health and self-care needs. Visit the Run for the Future website (opens in new window) to access the application and eligibility requirements.
*NYRR uses the words “young women” broadly to include cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, those currently exploring their gender identity, and anyone who identifies as a young woman.
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