As summer reaches its peak and begins to wind down it is again time to start thinking about the new school year and how our practices as teachers help us advocate for physical education. This month, OSHAPE is starting a list of questions and ideas to get started on advocacy in your own environment or to continue to work towards the goal of keeping quality physical education and health education in Oregon Schools. This will be a series of questions and ideas that we will build on each month.

Questions #1 - Am I an island?

Many physical and health educators are very busy people. Increasing class sizes and packed schedules make it difficult to reach out and connect with our fellow staff and administrators. We often stay in the comfort of our gyms and classrooms to get work done. However, that doesn’t let the folks around us know all the great things we do! A really good program includes reaching out to those around us. Here are some tips that can either get you started or keep you going.

Does your school have a newsletter? Do you participate in it? Throwing in articles about food choices, smoothie recipes, tips for exercises or the stretch of the month can be one way to keep your content in mind.

Do you have lunch with staff at least once a week? Social capital goes a long way, reach out and touch base!

Do you give movement tips, health tips, brain energizers or ways to include movement in the day at staff meetings?

Are you using the best possible practices in your classroom? Do you need an update?

Professional development with your peers can be energizing and remind you why you do what you do. OSHAPE has an upcoming conference, come join us!

Do you participate in the openings of the school year like open houses?

Have you ever done a staff wellness challenge or better yet organized one?

Small things add up and connecting in ways that work for us within our buildings not only builds social capitol to fall back on but also makes us more connected.

Question #2 - What is my communication style?

Do you prefer email? Twitter? Face to face chats? Maybe you are super techy and love to communicate in lots of ways. Maybe you prefer to keep it simple. Our communication style plays a big role in how we communicate and share our programs with others. Understanding your own style can help you find an advocacy path that works for you.

Sometimes we just want others to notice that we do a great job, and singing our own praises can feel inauthentic. Ways around that sentiment include inviting others to join your classroom. That way they can see all your awesome work and you don’t have to say a word! It can also be simple things like chatting about something new you are trying and are excited about, or putting up a few posters in a prominent place. The idea is to share what you are doing and find a way to connect over it, in a way that works for you. By that same token, don't be afraid to push your own comfort zone a bit. You might be surprised by the outcome!

This month we have given you a couple of questions to start your year with, check out next month for more questions and ideas about getting started with advocacy.

Link: https://physedagogy.com/physedsummit/

As we get near to the beginning of the school year, are you thinking about a Jump or Hoops for Heart event? Are you new to the events? Need help getting started? Contact Oregon SHAPE and we will help you get going!

Done events before? Well keep up the great work and schedule your event right off the bat at the beginning of the school year. It’s a great opportunity to talk to your students about wellness, the benefits of participating in activities that benefit others and more! Check out the following pics from Christy Wilson’s JRFH Event at Raleigh Park Elementary!

Go to oregonshape.org for more info!

The SHAPE America Online Institute delivers self-paced, effective professional development for K-12 health and physical educators. With this all-new learning platform, you can:

• Find targeted webinars and courses of interest in just seconds using the powerful search and browse functionality;
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• Track your online professional development and contact hours in one place from the user-friendly dashboard

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Summer is a great time to learn new skills that will help you in the classroom! Get started with the Online Institute by registering for this FREE webinar: Keeping Recess in Schools.

The live webinar will take place on Wednesday, August 2 from 3-4 p.m. EDT. Join us to:

• Learn about the benefits of recess;
• Receive an overview of recess resources from SHAPE America and the CDC, including: Strategies for Recess in Schools and Recess Planning in Schools: A Guide to Putting Strategies for Recess into Practice;
• Discover how schools can use various strategies to enhance their recess program and increase student physical activity.

If you can’t join us live, you can still register and view the archived webinar in the Online Institute at any time.