Can't view images? Click here.

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:

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:

This is how that can look in the classroom:

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)

On Sept. 22, SDCOE facilitated the fall 2021 SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Meeting. At this event, critical updates were shared regarding:

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.

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:

Updated CDPH School Guidance FAQs

Throughout the school year, educators are encouraged to:

Please contact Paige Metz if you have specific questions related to health and/or physical education.

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.

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 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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.