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Oct. 7, 2021
Strategically Building Students’ Soft Skills 
When I ask teachers what they enjoy most about the 2021-22 school year, I routinely hear the same response: Working in-person with students. We missed them. We missed the excitement of seeing them learn something new. We missed the energy that walks with them through the door. We missed connecting with them and seeing them connect with each other.

As we welcome them back to campus, it's clear things have changed. Students aren’t necessarily walking back in with the same composure that we are accustomed to. Many are realizing that the on-ramp back in the classroom is a bit longer, but still filled with love.

This year, more than ever, it is critical that we help students strategically build the soft skills that help them find success in our classrooms and in life, such as:
  • Self-awareness
  • Self-management
  • Social awareness
  • Relationship skills
  • Responsible decision-making

Sound familiar? They happen to be the five competencies of CASEL’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Framework.

Focusing on the SEL competencies doesn’t have to take time away from content. In fact, they can be used to help engage students more deeply with content each and every day. Here’s one way to give it a try:
  • Identify what you want students to know and be able to do at the end of the lesson.
  • Identify one to two SEL competencies that will help students successfully reach those learning outcomes.
  • Incorporate instruction that helps students identify and use the skills associated with the competencies.

This is how that can look in the classroom:
  • Daily Student Learning Outcome: Students will be able to keep their heart rate elevated in their target heart rate zone for at least 15 minutes.
  • SEL competencies: (1) Self-awareness, (2) Self-management
  • Specific SEL instruction: (1) Self-awareness: Help students identify indicators that they should slow down or increase their pace. (2) Self-management: Students will pay attention to their body’s response to activity and slow or increase their pace so that they are able to keep their heart rate elevated consistently for the entire 15 minutes. Give suggestions and examples.

Taking time to develop students’ competency in each of the five SEL competencies can ultimately empower students to be resourceful and resilient learners (and people). Don’t miss the opportunity to help them thrive in your class and beyond!

Please do not hesitate to contact me at pmetz@sdcoe.net if there is anything I can do to support you, your site, or district. Wishing you a fantastic 2021-22 school year!
Health and Physical Education Coordinator
San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE)
SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Shares Critical Updates
On Sept. 22, SDCOE facilitated the fall 2021 SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Meeting. At this event, critical updates were shared regarding:
  • California physical education minute requirements
  • California requirements for independent study physical education
  • California Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and FITNESSGRAM Update

Health/physical educators and administrators are encouraged to look at the Fall 2021 SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Slide Deck to familiarize themselves with details and information that are critical for the 2021-22 school year. Should questions arise, please contact Paige Metz.
Stay Current With COVID-19 Guidance 
Like most of last year, reopening guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and from San Diego County Health and Human Services is fluid. Guidance depends on the level of community transmission, vaccination rates, and outbreaks and is likely to fluctuate as we head back to school. As of the drafting of this communication, the following reflects most recent guidance:

Throughout the school year, educators are encouraged to:
  • Follow all direct guidance from your district and/or site administrators
  • Regularly visit the Safe Schools for All Hub website to stay informed
  • Work with colleagues to develop and follow COVID-19 protocols to mitigate transmission
  • Maintain ongoing communication with students and families regarding COVID-19 protocols and expectations
  • Use warm strength and grace when reminding students of COVID-19 protocols 

Please contact Paige Metz if you have specific questions related to health and/or physical education.
COVID-19 Funding Can Be Used for Health and Physical Education Programming
Districts and charter schools have received three batches of COVID-19 relief funding. This funding may be used for health and physical education programming, including social and emotional learning, equity, access to resources (including equipment), planning, professional learning, and curriculum updates/writing. Talk to your administrator to better understand how these funds are being disseminated in your system. Create a plan for how your health and/or physical education department can meet the needs of your students and community.
Hang out with Fellow Health and Physical Educators
Connect with your health and physical education peers at the SDCOE Health and Physical Education Hangouts on the second Wednesday of every month from 3 to 4 p.m. and receive the latest updates, resources, materials and best practices in health and physical education. Use this Zoom link to join each month. Following each hangout from 4 to 5 p.m., there will be grade-level collaboration meetings for those who would like to collaborate with others who teach the same grade span. Attendees will receive follow-up emails with the information and resources that were shared.
SDCOE Announces Health and Physical Education Professional Learning for 2021-22
SDCOE will offer the following professional development opportunities for the 2021-22 school year. We are currently planning for all meetings to be held virtually. However, in-person events may be considered later in the school year. Click on the dates or session for more information and to register.
  • Three-Day Physical Literacy Institute (fall or spring)
  • Health Education Framework Series (spring) or individual sessions
  • Session 1: Framework Overview (Jan. 5)
  • Session 2: Nutrition and Physical Activity; and Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (Feb. 2)
  • Session 3: Growth, Development, and Sexual Health; and Injury Prevention and Safety (March 2)
  • Session 4: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs; and Personal and Community Health (April 6)
  • Health and Physical Education Leadership Academy: Leadership Tier 1 (Contact Paige Metz if you are interested in participating.) Note: There is a prerequisite for this offering.
  • Health and Physical Education Leadership in Action: Leadership Tier 2 (One-year series of four meetings) Note: There is a prerequisite for this offering
  • SEL in Health and Physical Education (spring)
  • Standards-Based Assessment in Health and Physical Education (spring)
  • Grading For Equity by Joe Feldman Book Study for Health and Physical Educators (spring dates TBD)
  • SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory (May 4) Please contact Paige Metz if you have questions or requests for programming.
Three-Day Physical Literacy Institute Is Back and Better Than Ever
The Physical Literacy Institute is a series of three virtual meetings that are designed to help you empower students with the confidence, competence, and passion for a lifetime of physical activity. Participants will develop the mindsets, understanding, and skills to strategically increase the physical literacy of all students by incorporating:
  • SEL
  • Universal design for learning
  • Standards-based assessment
  • Culturally responsive teaching
  • Culturally responsive teaching and learning

Click one of the following links for more information and to register for the fall (Oct. 5, Nov. 29, Dec. 7) or spring (Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 16) series.
Join SDCOE for the Health and Physical Education Leadership Series
SDCOE is expanding the development of health and physical education leaders by updating leadership offerings to include health education and to provide a second tier of leadership development. Click the links to see specific dates and to register for the following leadership programs:
  • Health and Physical Education Leadership Academy (Leadership Tier 1): Designed to develop model pedagogy and practice for teacher recognition as a role model and leader on campuses/in districts. Health and Physical Education Leadership Academy provides a combination of professional learning and on-site coaching to develop and promote best practice. Prerequisite: Attendees must have previously completed the Three-Day Physical Literacy Institute and/or the Health Education Framework Series, or receive special approval from Paige Metz.
  • Health and Physical Education Leadership in Action (Leadership Tier 2): Designed to study and implement effective leadership voice and strategies. Special focus will be placed on best practice for communication, promotion, and advocacy. Prerequisite: Attendees must have previously attended the Physical Education Leadership Academy or receive special approval from Paige Metz.
Health Education Framework Series Empowers Teachers to Develop Students’ Health Literacy
The Health Education Framework Series, a combination of asynchronous and synchronous professional learning, will be offered twice this year. Click the following links to learn more about the complete fall or spring series, or attend individual sessions.
  • Session 1: Framework Overview (Jan. 5)
  • Session 2: Nutrition and Physical Activity, AND Mental, Emotional and Social Health (Feb. 2)
  • Session 3: Growth, Development, and Sexual Health, AND Injury Prevention and Safety (March 2)
  • Session 4: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs, AND Personal and Community Health (April 6)
Don’t Miss the 50th National Adapted Physical Education Conference
Registration is now open for the 50th National Adapted Physical Education Conference from Nov. 4 to 6. This year’s event will be virtual and will feature nine-time Paralympian Candace Cable and University of Wisconsin’s Dr. Kristi Roth as keynote speakers. For more information and to register, visit the CAHPERD website.
Mark Your Calendars for In-Person CAHPERD and SHAPE America Conferences
Both CAHPERD and SHAPE America have announced the return to in-person events this spring. Mark your calendars and put the wheels in motion for you to attend.
  • The 2022 CAHPERD State Conference is scheduled to take place March 3 to 5 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Visit the CAHPERD website for more information.
  • SHAPE America’s 2022 National Convention will be held in New Orleans from April 26 to 30. Check out the SHAPE America website for details.
California Health Education Website Is Go-To Spot for Educators
Last year a new website went online that is a one-stop shop for all things related to health education programming. CaliforniaHealthEducation.org features critical resources for each of the six content areas that include:

Bookmark the CaliforniaHealthEducation.org website, as it will continue to be updated and populated with content to support the implementation of the new California Health Education Framework.
New and Updated Resources to Support LGBTQ+ Youth
The California Department of Education has added significant updates to its Supporting LGBTQ+ website. The additions to the website include specific resources to support educators, students, and families. Even better news is that the resources will include links to local resources in San Diego County. Be sure to share this information with administrators, counselors, teachers, and families. In addition, schools may use this information to update their comprehensive sexual health instruction to make sure that experiences are inclusive and accessible for all students.

Also, the San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Council’s Youth Services Committee — under the leadership of San Diego Pride, the SD LGBT Community Center, The North County LGBTQ Resource Center, and Trans Family Services — has recently released LGBTQ+ Youth Standards of Care. The standards outline best practices and relevant resources that reflect and comply with California Education Code and laws.
San Diego County Live Well Schools Releases Tools for Schools Searchable Resource Database
Check out the Tools for Schools searchable resource database from Live Well Schools. More than 300 resources, searchable by topic, will connect you to programs, partnership ideas, policy strategies, and tools to meet short-term needs of students and families and facilitate long-term planning for schools and districts. Tools for Schools provides a wide array of resources based on a broader definition of wellness that includes social and emotional health and a focus on addressing health disparities.
If you have any questions or comments about Health and Physical Education Monthly Update, please contact Paige Metz.
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