May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness month, as well as Teacher Appreciation Week!

Observances, whether they be montly, weekly, or daily, remind us of the opportunities we have to make sure that we are integrating culturally relevant, diverse, historic, and health-based knowlege and skills into our teaching.

I hope you take advantage of infusing your health and physical education classes with these observances as they provide a great way for our students, school staff and community to learn, be celebrated and feel cared for.

As we start to wrap up the 21-22 school year, I wish you sunshine for your soul, and encourage you to take some time to focus on your own health and well-being!

Suzanne Hidde

ODE is recruiting K-12 teachers who are teaching Physical Education, curriculum directors/administrators, public health and other content specialists to serve on the Oregon Physical Education Standards Advisory Panel. 

Click on the link above to complete your application.  There will be 2 meetings during the summer of 2022, and approximately 4 meetings during the 2022-2023 school year (PDUs offered).  Meetings are scheduled to be virtual, and held after 3:30 p.m. during the school year.  For more information, contact suzanne.hidde@ode.oregon.gov 

AANHPI Resources
AAPI Health and Diet
AAPI for Teachers

First Ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day will take place on May 10, 2022.  

The goal is to raise awareness about illicit fentanyl in fake pills and street drugs.  Fentanyl is the primary driver of the recent increase in overdose and single use deaths.

The Partner Toolkit provides everything you need to help spread the word.

Play It Forward: GRATITUDE

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up the first week of May. Use the "Play It Forward" digital and printable game cards to let your fellow educators know you are grateful for them. Then, print some cards out for students and encourage them to let teachers and other important adults in their life know they are grateful! Cards are available in English or Spanish and are available exclusively through the CATCH Educators Club.  Click on CATCH.org to sign up for the Educators Club and to access cards. 

Get out to walk and roll all month long for May Challenge:

The Walk+Roll May Challenge begins soon! Students around Oregon are encouraged to walk and roll to school, and track their progress throughout the month of May. Interested in planning something at your school? Visit the SRTS website for ideas, resources to promote your event, to order incentives, and to download different tracking methods including punch cards. Students can also enter the statewide art contest as a part of May Challenge. The theme this year is "Why I Walk+Roll".

See the website for digital tool-kit items Walk+Roll May Challenge Toolkit (oregonsaferoutes.org)  

 Coming in 2022! Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education:

Cycle Oregon is happy to join the Safe Routes to School team and has been busy getting to know the needs of schools across the state and their communities. Cycle Oregon is building out 2 bicycle fleets this year for students to utilize during the school year with a plan to have a total of 5 fleets available by next year. Cycle Oregon will be providing bicycle and pedestrian safety training for teachers, building upon our over 30 years of relationship building throughout the state. Stay tuned for more information about how to sign up for training, request the fleets, and new curriculum developments.

The teachers’ portal for classroom resources, BAM! Body and Mind, has information on the mental health, development, and hygiene of school children. Find information about topics on bullying, anxiety and depression, stress and coping, and many more resources to help your classroom be a success.

After two years of virtual sessions, everyone at Safe & Civil Schools is looking forward to hosting the 2022 conference in Portland, Oregon, for in-depth professional development to improve the culture, climate, safety, and productivity of your schools and classrooms. 

Sessions include: Addressing Absenteeism; CHAMPS and Classroom-Based Behavioral Interventions; Coaching Classroom Management; Designing a Tier 2 and 3 Behavioral support System; Explicit Instruction, and Leadership in Behavior Support.Click the button below to register or learn more.

The American School Health Association's (ASHA) 96th Annual Conference is comprised of two events – an in-person ASHA Institute on July 21-23 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and ASHA online taking place virtually on July 25. Register for the full conference, which includes access or both events, or choose to register for the virtual event only. Stay tuned for announcements for when registration is open.