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 March 15/2013

EXECUTIVE BOARD NEWS

"EVERY CHILD STRONGER, EVERY LIFE LONGER" continues to provide the foundation for NJAHPERD's advocacy initiatives! FIT2ECSELL is the most recent of many NJAHPERD targeted movements to promote quality Health and Physical Education in New Jersey schools.

This initiative focuses on developing the first ever state- wide centralized data base for student health-related physical fitness. This collaborative effort between NJAHPERD, Rowan University, the YMCA State Alliance/Healthy U, and the Horizon Foundation of New Jersey has created a sustainable model for evaluating the health-related fitness status of New Jersey youth.   The project goal is to provide a comprehensive data profile of student fitness levels. The analysis of this data will lead the way for the development and implementation of viable fitness education and assessment programs in the future. The first year pilot includes 20 schools that are implementing the FitnessGram to assess local student fitness level. Local Health and Physical Education professionals as well technology staffs have been in-serviced regarding program implementation and data collection and reporting. The plan includes recruitment of additional schools each year. If you are interested in adding your school to this initiative, please contact NJAHPERD Executive Director, Jackie Malaska.

Grant funding is available for training and web based FG school site license.

NJAHPERD recommends that you include all the professional development events you would like to attend for the 2013-14 school year in your Professional Development Plan now so that you are not denied the content specific professional development you need to be a highly effective teacher.

Dates are listed on the NJAHPERD website.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

In an effort to increase physical activity levels of all American youth, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released the report, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth, as a five-year follow-up to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report identifies interventions that can help increase physical activity in youth in a variety of settings. The report outlines evidence-based recommendations for focusing more efforts on five key settings including:  schools, preschools and childcare centers, community, family and home, and primary care locations. MORE

Child obesity rates have been steadily rising in the United States for years, due in part to a reduction in physical activity, including in the schools.

New Jersey mandates that students get at least 150 minutes of health, safety and physical education each week from grades 1-12. Recess counts toward that requirement, and there is no minimum standard for actual physical activity.

We asked three writers to answer two key questions: Are New Jersey students getting enough physical activity each day in school? And should daily physical activity in the schools be mandated?

As a 62-year-old grandparent, I love talking with my oldest grandson about the differences between our physical education experiences.

Unfortunately, while I received physical education three to five days per week throughout my youth, my first-grade grandson receives physical education only once a week.

He cannot understand why he has little opportunity for physical education as well as physical activity during the school day. Although New Jersey law requires that all children in grades 1-12 receive 150 minutes of health and/or physical education instruction each week, the sad truth is that elementary students receive considerably less instruction than middle- and high-school students. MORE

HEALTH EDUCATOR NEWS YOU CAN USE 

Body fat is just an inert layer of blubber, right? If only. New research shows that it's more like a toxic parasite that doesn't want to let go. The good news: if you exercise and eat right, you can force it to. MORE

The Kids' Safe and Healthful Food Project just released new materials that help to clarify the facts about updated school meal guidelines.

The tools available include:

• Graphic showing five of the most important facts about school meal guidelines
• Video featuring Sam Kass from the White House, Audrey Rowe from USDA, National
• PTA president Betsy Landers, Marla Caplon from Montgomery County Public Schools, Kids' Safe and Healthful Foods
• Project director Jessica Donze Black, and two Montgomery County, MD high school students
• Photo gallery of a school lunch served at Sherwood High School in Montgomery County, MD
• An interactive calculator  that shows the total food service revenue and overall nutritional value of a USDA school meal compared to those of an a la carte lunch and vending machine sales.
• A conversation about the financial implications of nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages with Neal Wallace, the lead economic analyst for the project's health impact assessment.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed nutritional guidelines that would make sure schools sell only healthy snacks and drinks to students during the school day. But we only have until April 9 to weigh in! 

  Let's cook up healthy change and tell the USDA we support its proposal! 

 The USDA already is working to improve the nutritional quality of school meals. However, it hasn't updated its guidelines for foods sold outside of meals since 1979, which means schools have still been able to sell everything from candy and potato chips to sugary beverages to kids.

That's why the proposed guidelines are so important. They would make sure all snacks and drinks in schools are nutritious - whether they're sold as a la carte items in the cafeteria, in vending machines or in student stores. These items are a big part of what our kids eat at school - roughly 40 percent of students buy a snack at school every day.

Even if students eat a healthy lunch, research shows they often still consume excess calories from side dishes their cafeteria might serve, such as French fries. Or sometimes kids skip over a healthy meal entirely in favor of an unhealthy a la carte item.

It's so important that everything our kids can buy at school is good for them. Let's take action and tell the USDA to implement strong nutritional guidelines for snacks and drinks in schools.

USDA announced the public comment period has opened on proposed new standards to ensure that children have access to healthy food options in school.

"Parents and teachers work hard to instill healthy eating habits in our kids, and these efforts should be supported when kids walk through the schoolhouse door," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Good nutrition lays the groundwork for good health and academic success. Providing healthy options throughout school cafeterias, vending machines, and snack bars will complement the gains made with the new, healthy standards for school breakfast and lunch so the healthy choice is the easy choice for our kids."

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010  requires USDA to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools -- beyond the federally-supported school meals programs. The "Smart Snacks in School" proposed rule, to be published soon in the Federal Register, is the first step in the process to create national standards. The new proposed standards draw on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, existing voluntary standards already implemented by thousands of schools around the country, and healthy food and beverage offerings already available in the marketplace.

Highlights of USDA's proposal include:

The public is encouraged to review the proposal and to provide comments and information for consideration by USDA. The text of the proposed rule is available athttp://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/020113-snacks.pdf. Once the rule is published in the Federal Register, which is expected next week, the public will be able to provide feedback throughwww.regulations.gov. USDA will seek public comment on the proposal for 60 days.

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report that analyzed state policies for food and beverages served outside the school lunch line which noted that 39 states already have a state law, regulation or policy in place related to the sale or availability of snack foods and beverages in schools. In many cases, local level (district and school) policies and practices exceeded state requirements or recommendations. USDA's proposal would establish a national baseline of these standards, with the overall goal of improving the health and nutrition of our kids.

These proposed standards are part of a bi-partisan package of changes passed by Congress in 2010 designed to ensure that students have healthy options in school. Other parts of that package include updated nutrition standards for federally-subsidized school meals that provide children more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; additional funding for schools to support improved meals; and guidance on stronger local wellness policies.

Collectively these policies will help combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children; a top priority for the Obama Administration. The proposed rule announced today is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama's  Let's Move !initiative to combat the challenge of childhood obesity.

USDA's  Food and Nutrition Service administers America's nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.

The twelfth annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy will take place on May 1, 2013. On the National Day and throughout the month of May, teens nationwide will be asked to visitStayTeen.org to participate in the popular National 

Day Quiz, which delivers teen pregnancy prevention messages and challenges them to think carefully about what they might do "in the moment." The message of the National Day is simple and straightforward: Sex has consequences.

Organized by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, the National Day has widespread support from nearly 200 national organizations and media outlets that serve as official National Day partners. For more information and free National Day resources, please visit the National Day section of our website.

Let's Move! Active Schools 

We know that schools today are facing all sorts of challenges.  They're balancing multiple priorities and dealing with shrinking budgets while striving to do every single thing they can to help our children learn and grow. 

Let's Move! Active Schools is designed to address these challenges by spurring innovative solutions and offering customized support every step of the way.  We know that our kids need 60 minutes of physical activity daily, not only so they can grow up healthy, but also because we know it helps them succeed in school.  That's why this program empowers schools to find free or low-cost ways to incorporate movement before, during, and after the school day.  We'll help connect schools to grant opportunities, online resources, personal assistance, and hands-on professional development.

There's just one thing we're still missing-you. 

We're looking for school champions to lead this effort in communities across the country.  Every school needs a champion, and anyone can be that champion.  From P.E. and classroom teachers to administrators, staff, and parents, all it takes is one dedicated person to step up and start making a difference.  

All you have to do is sign up at LetsMoveSchools.org and follow a simple, six-step process to create an active school environment and build support among leadership, staff, families, and other community members.  Along the way, you'll have access to free tools and resources to help you take action.

Remember to indicate NJAHPERD for "How did you hear about us?" Register NOW!

To read the First Lady's remarks in Chicago, click here. 

WELCOME!!  click here... 

Links of interest:
Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart Grantwww.aahperd.org/jump  

NASPE Standards linking Physical Education to JRFH 

Register YOUR event: http://www.aahperd.org/jump/AboutJump/eventregistration.cfm 

The PULSE online newsletter

Jim Presbrey (AHA), Kathy Fritz (NJAHPERD)

New Jersey AHPERD's Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart coordinators continue to prove that their "hearts are in the right place!" At the Opening Keynote session Mr. James Presbrey, AHA Representative, presented a check to NJAHPERD from AAHPERD/AHA in the amount of $82,353.14. This amount represented 10% of NJ's total AHA event earnings. The American Heart Association recognized the following three New Jersey coordinators and their schools with NATIONAL AWARDS:

D.J. Priore and The Winston School of Short Hills, NJ was named "Highest Per Capita Hoops for Heart event for the 5th time; Lynne Landis and Ed Davis from the Mahala Atchison Elementary School received the "Faye Biles Educational Award" for their outstanding efforts incorporating the true message of the AHA; and Tracy Williams, Todd Lawrence, and Amy English from  the George J. Mitchell Elementary School in Little Egg Harbor, were named as the "Outstanding Jump Team of the Year." Although these coordinators received these awards prior to convention, NJAHPERD was proud to recognize them at the Opening Keynote session on Monday, February 25, 2013.

Something NEW at this year's Opening Session was the recognition of ALL of "New Jersey's Top Ten" events in three categories: Top 10 Jump Rope for Heart; Top 10 Hoops for Heart; and Top 10 Combined (JR/HFH). Another group lauded was the " #1 Jump Rope" event in each of NJ's 21 counties. Congratulations to H.B.Whitehorne Middle School, Verona (Andrea Jordan, Ray Bowes, Dan Corrado) as the #1 Jump Rope for Heart event contributing $38,695; North Hunterdon High School, Annandale (Jill Izzo) as the #1 Hoops for Heart event contributing $21,133; and River Plaza Elementary School, Middletown (Jen Turiello) as the #1 JR/HFH event contributing $12,993.

The annual "Coordinator Breakfast" sponsored by NJAHPERD as a THANK YOU to all of our state coordinators was quite a success. Sixty-one "die hard" individuals were able to attend the early event at 7am on Monday the 25th. Coordinators were able to reconnect with old friends and take the opportunity to make some new ones! Coordinator gifts this year included a beautiful heart-shaped magnetic clip along with some homemade chocolate goodies. Mr. James Presbrey, the new Director of Youth Marketing for the AHA Founders Affiliate, introduced himself to the group. All participants gave very solid examples as to the most significant components of their events that continue to make them successful. Ideas for using current "social media" to promote their events were offered.

On Monday, Deb Weiss (Mountainside), the national Faye Biles Educational Award winner from 2010, presented her successes for making a "Jump Rope for Heart Day" in your school by having all subject area teachers a part of the event.

Lincoln Leopards, Coach Mike Cebula, Lincoln School, Hasbrouck Heights

Coach Hoff

Three years ago, the Ocean Township Double Dutch Club was created by physical education teacher Ken Hoff.  The initial goal was simple - provide kids a fun environment to keep physical fit and productive after school.  With only fifteen students on his original team, the group formed into something much greater than Coach Hoff ever imagined.  Presently, the Double Dutch Club now has grown to over forty students and counting. 

The increase in numbers has also inspired fellow colleague, Jeff Soares to join Hoff's passionate vision.  Together, they have offered the students various opportunities to spread the joy of Double Dutch - not only to Ocean Township - but also to other schools.

During the past three years, the group has taken six trips, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.  Most recently, the group visited Barkalow Middle School in Freehold Township, New Jersey.  The team spent an entire day showcasing their talent, even teaching Theresa Marcinkiewitz's physical education class how to turn, jump, and perform tricks while Double Dutching.  The response after from Theresa was wonderful, and she did not hesitate to request another trip for next year.  MORE

The Lawrence Intermediate School Health and Physical Education staff has been organizing Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart events since 1996 in Lawrenceville N.J. It is a school of close to 900 students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. 4th and 5th graders participate in Jump Rope for Heart and 6th graders participate in Hoops for Heart. Both events are held in the evening at the school and parents are invited to attend and watch.  In the 17 years that we have held these events our students have raised over $170,000 for the American Heart Association.  We have been awarded the top fundraising school in the state 4 years for raising the most funds through combined events.  MORE

RESEARCH RESULTS

ADVOCACY

NJAHPERD Advocacy has had a very productive and busy year.  The Every Child Stronger Every Life Longer theme continues to drive us forward.  The creation of our new Legislative Action Committee is helping us to continue our proactive push to advocate and lobby with legislators and for legislative action that supports our mission.   We are working hand in hand with our lobbyist, the Torok Group, to strategize multiple and diverse ways to connect with NJ legislators as well as to educate our membership about legislative action and issues. Prescheduled bimonthly meetings as well as additional meetings based on need have facilitated this process.  Furthermore, our committee is developing stronger alliances and communication networks with partners and other stakeholders such as NJEA, American Heart Association, New Jersey Driver Education Coalition and the ShapingNJ Coalition.  Recently a proposed Recess Bill was brought before the NJ Senate for a vote.  The bill would require all elementary schools to provide a daily 20 minute recess period for all children.    NJAHPERD and partners pushed for an amendment that would stipulate that schools could not use recess in place of physical education class. The amendment was approved by the Senate! To become law, the bill will still need to pass in the New Jersey Assembly as well as approved by the governor.  The NJAHPERD Legislative Action Committee is currently working with the Torok Group and our many partners to support approval of this bill.

RESOURCES

GRANTS & CONTESTS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Fitnessgram Trainings for In-service Days 

NJAHPERD will provide Fitnessgram training for your staff at your site. Fee: $650
Please call/email the NJAHPERD office.

Events Listing:

• Regional Workshops Best Practices Fitness Education/FitnessGram training
• Nutrition Conference
• Lake Conference
• Teacher of the Year Conference
• Dance in Physical Education Conference
• Adapted Health & Physical Education Conference
• NJEA Convention
• Hands on Health Conference
• 2014 Annual Convention
• Pre-Convention Workshops

Details are available on the NJAHPERD website for all professional development events.

Disclaimer: The ideas in the FYI do not necessarily reflect NJAHPERD's official position on the issues. NJAHPERD assumes no responsibility for any statement as fact or opinion presented, nor does acceptance of advertising imply endorsement of any products or services by the Association.