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Feb. 4, 2022
BE. THE. CHANGE.
I recently attended an event called Change The Game: Be the Change. It featured Sue Bird, Seattle Storm; Collin Martin, San Diego Loyal Soccer Club; Chiney Ogwumike, Los Angeles Storm; and Nzinga Show, the first diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lead in the NBA, in a conversation focused on increasing DEI in sports. Through each speaker’s story, a few consistent themes seemed to emerge. Each was a beautiful reminder of just how critical it is for every individual to feel valued and supported. I walked away thinking about how a few acts can really change a student's reality. I encourage each of you to:

Know their stories: Take the time to get beyond just knowing students’ names and seeing their demographics. Instead, create the opportunities to learn their stories. Where are they from? What do they love? What have they overcome? What are they struggling with? How can you connect with them? Each student has a story that is independent of what comes up in their school record. When you know students’ stories, you are empowered to use that information to make a difference in their world.

See their value: Too often, we focus on what makes students different from the majority of their peers. It is important that we see the gifts these students bring to our class. Embrace and value their language, culture, identity, style, voice, and perspective. When we truly value students as individuals, we empower them with confidence in who they are.

Have their backs: There are times in every student’s life when they need support from a caring adult. Commit to protecting your students. Speak up when you hear a negative comment (big or small). Check in with students who are having a bad day. Allow students time to regain composure when they need it. Treat each student as if they are your own child.

Cultivate their climate: When adults take time to know students’ stories, value each individual, and protect every student, students in your class are inclined to do the same. Find opportunities for students to share their stories, celebrate their gifts, and watch out for each other. Make it an expectation and a priority. When we focus on developing an inclusive culture, we provide students with a safe place to be themselves… and THRIVE!

Do what you can to know students’ stories, see their value, have their backs, and create an inclusive (and empowering) class culture. It will make a true difference in the lives of your students and the value you find in your work.

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 school year!
Health and Physical Education Coordinator
San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE)
Up to $250,000 in Grant Funding Now Available

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) is now accepting applications for districts and charter schools to apply for grant funding of $50,000 to $250,000 to update K-12 health education programming. SDCOE K-12 Comprehensive Health Education Grants may be used to:
  • Analyze local data and needs
  • Facilitate strategic planning to update programming in any of the following health education content areas:
  • Nutrition and Physical Activity
  • Mental, Social, and Emotional Health
  • Growth, Development, and Sexual Health
  • Injury Prevention and Safety
  • Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
  • Personal and Community Health
  • Select, update, and/or design health education curriculum that is aligned to the California Health Education Framework and meets Education Code requirements
  • Participate in and/or facilitate professional learning 
  • Create an inclusive and safe environment for health education instruction
  • Develop an ongoing district health education community of practice
For more information, including eligibility, funding levels, contract requirements, application details, and the link to apply, visit the K-12 San Diego County Health Education Grant Webpage Contact Paige Metz if you have any questions.
Physical Fitness Test/FITNESSGRAM Update
The California Department of Education (CDE) has announced updated Physical Fitness Test (PFT) protocols for the 2021-22 school year. Critical updates include:
  • All students in grades 5, 7, and 9 will continue to be tested on physical fitness using the FITNESSGRAM assessments and their results recorded. However, there will be no submission of student-level data to the secure portal. Instead, local educational agencies will now be required to submit participation results for each of the five assessed areas. Only participation information will be collected and reported on the School Accountability Report Card.
  • Students with disabilities are to be given as much of the test as their condition will permit. Matrix Two is available on the PFT Variation/Accessibility Resources webpage.
  • Information related to calculating a student’s body mass index will no longer be collected.
  • PFT can only be administered during the testing window from Feb. 1 through May 31.
  • The PFT exemptions for students who did not take the test in grade 9 (those current 10th and 11th grade students) are limited to those exemptions identified in the California Education Code sections 51241 and 51242. An exemption based on the pupil satisfactorily meeting five of the six standards of PFT is not available for these particular students. See CDE Physical Education FAQs webpage for more information.
  • Physical education classes should emphasize the importance of physical and mental health as well as the importance of exercise.
  • CDE conducted a PFT Update Webinar (November 2021) and released CDE PFT Webinar notes document to describe the 2021-22 testing process. Physical educators are encouraged to watch the webinar and share this information with their peers and administrators.

Please contact Paige Metz with any questions.
PDF of the NEW California Health Education Framework is Here!
The highly anticipated Health Education Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve has been released. This PDF is also featured on the California Health Education website and the document, as well as other resources and information, can be found on the CDE Health Framework webpage. Looking for support in implementing the new framework? Check out the SDCOE Health Education Framework professional learning series that begins this month.
ASHWG Releases Review of Curricula That Identifies Extent of Compliance With the California Healthy Youth Act
The California Healthy Kids Resource Center, together with the Adolescent Sexual Health Work Group (ASHWG), conducted an intensive review of growth development and sexual health curriculum in accordance with the California Healthy Youth Act. A total of nine publishers submitted curricula to be reviewed. Access all of the curricula reviews by expanding the Links to Compliance Assessment Tools and Resources tab, which includes the following:
  • A table that lists the curriculum reviewed along with the information on where it can be borrowed or purchased
  • Compliance assessment tools (used to grade the curricula against Education Code) that are specific to each curriculum that was reviewed
  • A California Healthy Kids Curricula Review Introduction Methodology that describes the law, review process, and the compliance assessment tool grading

This 2020-21 California Healthy Youth Act curricula review is intended to be an update of previous reviews done by ASHWG, and these reviews are posted on the California Healthy Kids Resource Center webpage. Reviews can be found by scrolling down the home page and clicking Links to Compliance Assessment Tools and Resources. For additional information visit the CDE CHYA webpage. A video tape of a recent webinar explaining how to use CHYA compliance reviews will be available later this month.
Come Hang Out with Fellow Health and Physical Educators
Hang out 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.
Health Education Framework Series Empowers Teachers to Develop Students’ Health Literacy
The Health Education Framework Series, a combination of asynchronous and synchronous professional learning, is designed to help teachers implement skills based instruction to build students’ health literacy. Learn more about the complete spring series, or click the event dates to register to attend individual sessions.
  • Session 1: Framework Overview (March 2)
  • Session 2: Nutrition and Physical Activity, AND Mental, Emotional and Social Health (March 23)
  • Session 3: Growth, Development, and Sexual Health, AND Injury Prevention and Safety (April 6)
  • Session 4: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs, AND Personal and Community Health (April 19)
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 Helpful for Educators
CaliforniaHealthEducation.org is a one-stop-shop for all things related to health education programming, featuring critical resources for each of the six content areas:

Bookmark CaliforniaHealthEducation.org, 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 CDE 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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