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Reference Guide for Physical Education in California Schools: A Call to Action!
For the better part of a year, I worked with physical education leaders from throughout California to write and publish the Reference Guide for Physical Education in California Schools. It was written in response to the common questions and misunderstandings that surround physical education. The result is a document that:
- Describes the intended outcome(s) of physical education
- Clarifies California Ed Code and regulations for physical education
- Addresses common issues, questions, and misunderstandings
- Encourages educators to assess and rethink physical education traditions
- Provides access to resources
Reading through the reference guide, you will find critical information to inform policies, procedures, systems, course design, curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Much of this will be familiar. However, there will likely be information, and even Ed Code, that challenges your understanding and practice… which is not a bad thing! It is often the things that challenge us that help us evolve and grow.
I encourage you to read through the Reference Guide for Physical Education in California Schools carefully. As you do, reflect on your practice and the learning experience of students’ in your system. What things are you doing well? What needs your attention? What discussions need to take place on your campus or in your district? Who do I need to share this resource with? What more do you need to learn?
Use your reflections to identify action items to inform your systems and ultimately empower students with the knowledge, skills, mindsets and dispositions they need to be physically literate, and physically active for life. The Reference Guide for Physical Education in California Schools has the opportunity to create positive change, but only if action is taken to update students’ experiences and learning.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to support you, your site, or district. Happy March!
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Health and Physical Education Coordinator
San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE)
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SDCOE Health and Physical Education Leadership Cadre Announces Spring Socials and Awards!
All San Diego County health and physical educators are invited to connect with colleagues while enjoying good food and drink at the following events:
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San Diego Health and Physical Education Social: Thursday, April 18 from 4 - 6 p.m. at Nova Brazil Brew Pub in Mission Valley (1640 Camino Del Rio North, #341, San Diego)
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San Diego CAHPERD Awards and Social: May 16 from 4 - 6:30 p.m. (location TBD). Please RSVP to receive updated event information.
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San Diego Teachers Named State and Regional Teachers of the Year!
Three San Diego teachers were recently recognized as State or Regional Teachers of the Year at the 2024 California Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) State Conference. Please congratulate the following educators!
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2024 CAHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year: Robbie DePerro (Perry Elementary School, San Diego Unified SD)
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2024 CAHPERD High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year: Ben Upham (Valhalla High School, Grossmont Union High SD)
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2024 SHAPE America Western District Teacher of the Year: Austin Olson (Pacific Trails Middle School, San Dieguito Union High SD)
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Robbie DePerro
Perry Elementary School,
San Diego Unified | |
Ben Upham
Valhalla High School
Grossmont Union High | |
Austin Olson
Pacific Trails Middle School
San Dieguito Union High | |
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Announcing the Opportunity to Nominate Colleagues for 2024 CAHPERD Awards!
Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 San Diego CAHPERD Awards. Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate deserving participants for the following awards:
- Program of the Year (Elementary and Secondary)
- Teacher of the Year (Elementary and Secondary)
- New Professional of the Year
- Adapted Teacher of the Year
- Administrator of the Year
- Community Partner of the Year
- Outstanding Service to the Profession
- Retirees
Please complete the 2024 San Diego CAHPERD Award application/nomination form by April 15. Awards will be presented at the San Diego CAHPERD Year Awards and Social on May 16. Contact Austin Olson, Terri Clark or Paige Metz for more information.
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SDCOE Health and Physical Education Leadership Cadre is Here to Support Your Efforts
Health and physical education leaders selected from throughout San Diego County, who have been trained in student-centered coaching and leadership, are available to provide support to teachers, sites, and districts. Customized support is available for all levels (elementary, middle, and high school) and in the following topics:
- First best instruction
- Equity and inclusion
- Curricula selection, design, and curation
- On-site coaching
- Support and networking for aspiring, new, and veteran teachers
- Professional learning
To learn more, and to schedule one of the SDCOE Health and Physical Education Cadre leaders to work with you, please contact Paige Metz at pmetz@sdcoe.net.
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What You Need to Know About PFT For 2023-24
The California Department of Education (CDE) announced that Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) protocols for 2023-24 will be identical to those that were used in the 2022-23 school year including:
- NOT collecting any data related to body composition (height, weight)
- NOT collecting age or gender data
- NOT using the Healthy Fitness Zones as defined by FITNESSGRAM
- Providing students with their personal fitness assessment scores
- Reporting the percentage of students who participate in each of the five required fitness assessments (aerobic capacity, abdominal strength and endurance, trunk extensor strength and flexibility, upper body strength and endurance, flexibility) in the School Accountability Report Card
Teachers are encouraged to:
- Encourage students to “do their best” on each fitness assessment so that it is an accurate measurement of their current fitness
- Utilize grade-level standards to determine how PFT scores are utilized for students to set and achieve personal health and fitness goals
- Give students options to test, not in front of peers
- Protect student privacy
- Prioritize an emotionally safe environment to avoid bullying and/or body shaming
For more information, visit the CDE PFT webpage and CDE PFT FAQ webpage.
At this time, it is still unclear how CDE will address the Report to the Legislature, Department of Finance and the State Board of Education: Physical Performance Test that was submitted to the State Board in March 2023. Stay tuned.
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SDCOE Releases Critical New Substance Abuse Video Series
SDCOE recently released a series of six videos, each 10-20 minutes in length, designed to provide comprehensive, straightforward insight into how substance misuse impacts individuals, families, schools, and communities. The I Choose My Future series is designed to educate middle and high school students about:
- How the drug landscape has changed
- The societal impacts of drug abuse
- The science of addiction, teen brain development, and the impact drugs can have on teens
- How to identify potentially harmful drugs
- A closer look at vaping, marijuana, and nicotine
- The dangers of opioids and fentanyl
The I Choose My Future instruction guide provides educators suggestions for using the video resources and include discussion questions, sample activities, and more.
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SHAPE America Releases New Technology Resource
The Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America recently released Appropriate Use of Technology in Physical Education to provide educators with information to support the use of technology to meaningfully engage students with content and achieve grade level standards.
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Chargers Champions 2024 Grant Program Applications Due March 25!
The Los Angeles Chargers’ Chargers Champions School Grant Program is open to all public and private schools located in San Diego - Imperial Counties and is designed to work in partnership with local schools to improve the physical literacy of students by expanding physical fitness, nutrition, and athletic programs. Sites may apply for up to $75,000 of funding (based on student enrollment). Don’t procrastinate… applications will be accepted through March 25. For more information, and to apply, visit the Los Angeles Chargers’ Chargers Champions webpage.
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Is Your Site One of America’s Healthiest Schools?
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is accepting applications to recognize schools for advancing the health and well-being of students, families, and communities. Applications are due April 16. For more information, including resources to expand health and well-being programming and the link to apply, visit Healthier Generations America’s Healthiest Schools webpage.
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Minor Consent and Confidentiality for Sexual Health Services Webinar on March 19!
On March 19 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Elaine Nye (California Dept of Public Health, STD Control Branch) and Rebecca Gudeman (National Center for Youth Law) will be facilitating an overview of the laws that impact minors and their access to confidential sexual health services and the different roles of clinical providers and educators. Participants will be given an opportunity to test their knowledge related to minor consent laws and learn about resources to support the implementations of minor consent laws in a school setting. For more information, and to register, check out the March 19 Minor Consent and Confidentiality for Health Services Webinar Flyer.
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Exemplary Site Visits Are BACK!
The SDCOE Health and Physical Education Leadership Cadre will be facilitating Exemplary Physical Education Site Visits in April. Visits will center around “First Best Instruction” and will utilize new resources designed to identify and collect evidence of first best instruction in action. Time will be given to talk to teachers following each visit. Participants can choose to drive their own vehicle, or take advantage of SDCOE provided transportation. Click the link below for more information and to register for the following visits:
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Two-Part Webinar: Facilitating Difficult Questions in the Sexual Health Classroom
On April 16 and 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Elaine Nye (California Department of Public Health, STD Branch) and Sharla Smith (California Department of Education) will provide tips and tools for participants to navigate difficult sexuality-related questions in a classroom or group-setting. This two-part interactive training will provide a framework to classify different types of questions and a protocol for answering these questions. Participants will have the opportunity to ask facilitators how they would answer challenging questions they’ve encountered, and will gain comfort and confidence to answer any type of question that will be asked of them.
Click these links to register for Part 1 April 16 and/or Part 2 April 18.
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Register Now for the Spring 2024 SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Meeting
Administrators and teacher leaders are invited to represent their district, or site at the Spring 2024 SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 1. Don’t miss this opportunity to:
- Discuss national, state, and local updates, initiatives, resources, and trends
- Identify strategies to utilize the Reference Guide for Physical Education in California Schools to update physical education programming
- Use “First Best Instruction” documents for Elementary Physical Education, Secondary Physical Education and Health Education to influence instructional practice
- Review the Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America National Standards for both health and physical education
- Learn more about support available from the SDCOE Health and Physical Education Cadre to influence induction programs, curriculum development, instructional practice, and more
- Provide input to SDCOE for 2024-25 programming
- Network with other health and physical education leaders
Click the link above to learn more and register.
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New National Standards To Be Released at 2024 SHAPE America National Convention
New National Standards are going to be released for both health and physical education at the 2024 SHAPE America National Convention taking place March 12 to 16 in Cleveland, Ohio. Click the link above for event details, reasons to attend, schedule at-a-glance, housing information and registration.
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Suicide Risk Screening In Schools Training Available
Don’t miss this free opportunity to learn about best practices in school-based screening for suicide risk and learn how to respond effectively to keep students safe. Click on the Suicide Risk Screening in Schools flyer for more information, and to register for trainings on either Feb. 8 or April 16.
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Critical Resources for Health Education
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California Health Education Content Standards: Defines what students should know and be able to do by grade level in the following content areas:
- Nutrition and physical activity
- Mental, emotional, and social health
- Injury prevention and safety
- Growth, development, and sexual health
- Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
- Personal and community heal
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Health Education Framework for California Public Schools: A guide to implementing skill-based health education for students to achieve state health education content standards including classroom examples by grade level
- Links to Health Education Framework by content areas and grade levels
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California Health Education website: Features critical information, tools, and links to provide skills-based health education aligned to the CA Health Education Framework. Includes online professional learning, model learning activities, skills/standards posters, resources for administrators, and much more
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Health Education Checklist/Planning Tool: Defines CA Ed Code and mandates for health education. It includes links to case studies and model policy.
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Health Education Instructional Materials Evaluation Toolkit: Use this tool to evaluate curricula or design your own
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California Healthy Kids Resource Center: Check out health education curricula to vet or use with students for FREE. Features ASHWG CHYA compliance curricula reviews (scroll down homepage to “Compliance Assessment Tools and Resources” tab to view).
- CDE CHYA webpage
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Mental Health Education (SB 224): Describes everything you need to know about new requirements for mental health education in California
- Grade 7-8 Mental Health Education Instructional Materials Assessment Tool
- Grade 9-1 2 Mental health Education Instructional Materials Assessment Tool
- NEW Suicide Prevention Hotline or Dial 9-8-8
- CDE’s Supporting LGBTQ+ website
- North County LGBTQ Resource Center and Trans Family Services LGBTQ+ Youth Standards of Care
- San Diego Live Well Tools for Schools Searchable Resource Database
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Critical Resources for Physical Education
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Critical Resources for Quality Instruction
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If you have any questions or comments about Health and Physical Education Monthly Update, please contact Paige Metz.
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE and in our districts across the county.
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