Email: shapemichiganoffice@gmail.com
Website: www.shapemichigan.us
Phone: 866-980-4284
Facebook: facebook.com/SHAPEMICHIGAN
Twitter: @SHAPEMI

Welcome to the SHAPE Michigan February Newsletter Newsletter!

We hope you are staying warm and enjoying the beginning of 2023!!

SHAPE Michigan looks forward to continuing to provide programs, products, and services

to all Physical Education and Health professionals in the upcoming year. Please send us your

suggestions, feedback and and comments. Send an email to

shapemichigandirector@gmail.com or call 866.9804284.

**Below is being republished from January's newsletter (due to distribution issues).

Hopefully, you are having a great start to the new year and are ready to take on your professional challenges in 2023. Remember, within the challenges are the joys of impacting the lives of others through health and physical literacy! Every time one of your students “gets it” or a colleague decides to work collaboratively to provide an effective program, that’s a “little” win.

Recently, we witnessed a life-changing and game changing incident on the football field when a routine tackle turned into a major trauma. Medical personnel and opponents worked to save the life of a downed colleague- Damar Hamlin…. and beyond the incident on the field, thousands worked, prayed and acted in various ways that demonstrated everyone CAN work together in a united effort to support the well-being of others. When #3 woke up, he asked if his team had won the game! The physicians told him he had won the game of life!! Wow---

What does it take to have a “Hamlin moment” in our collective worlds? We should avoid having that moment -when it’s life or death----i.e., programs or no programs- through complacency. While personally I choose to pray on a daily basis, it should not take a tragedy (program cuts, weak legislation, lack of funds, reduced class time, to name a few) to compel us to pray for the strength needed to face our challenges. Little miracles happen every day--- they are the students come through our doors. We need to work to make sure we impact them proactively… So when the real challenge comes for them, they will be ready. Hamlin had a lot going for him. He was in great shape, he had trained for his craft and the medical personnel were in the right place, at the right time to increase the probability that he could meet his incredible fate.

My wish for SHAPE Michigan and ALL of the professionals involved in health, physical education, sports, recreation, dance, physical activity outside the schools like clubs, YMCA, athletic training is that WE work together to provide programs, products and services that support HEALTHY, ACTIVE lifestyles ACROSS the lifespan. SHAPE Michigan pledges to provide you the opportunities to learn, network and lead the effort in your corner of the world. Together, we can all “win” the game of life.

Check out all of the opportunities you have this month and throughout the year. Check out this great newsletter, the website and your inbox for emails that will steer you to the professional huddle that marks your spot on the team. Let us know how we can help!

SHAPE Michigans Virtual Networking sessions are a wonderful way to connect, collaborate, and share with other Health and Physical Education professionals. Connect directly with others in your content area. Join us....Free for everyone! Register at shapemichigan.us

Mark your calendars for upcoming SHAPE Michigan in-person workshops! You will not want to miss these additional opportunities to collaborate, learn, and to get energized for the upcoming months! These events are being hosted throughout the state so check out the workshop nearest to you! Register at shapemichigan.us

I was born and raised in Dearborn Heights MI. I currently live in Elkhart IN (teaching in Southwest Michigan) with my husband and 2 year old son. I enjoy spending time with my family, cycling, running, CrossFit, pickleball, watching Formula 1, and enduring the highs and lows of being a lifelong Detroit sports' fan. I thank God every day for the life I've been blessed with. I earned my BS in Kinesiology [Major: K-12 Physical Education, Minor: 6-12 Health Education] from Wayne State University ('06), M.Ed in Kinesiology [preK-12 Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities] from the University of Virginia ('08), APENS Exam to become a Certified Adapted Physical Educator ('08), and a Master's level teaching endorsement for K-12 Emotional Impairments from Grand Valley State University ('11).

I also have a plethora of volunteering experience from 1998-2014 with organizations such as Muscular Dystrophy Association, Camp Abilities Brockport, and Camp Abilities Maryland. Additionally, I worked as a Floor Supervisor for iCan Bike Summer Camps (iCan Shine) from 2015-2019. Currently, I am an Adapted Physical Education Teacher at a K-12 center-based program for students with severe emotional behavior disabilities and autism, in Berrien County. I am also the 2023 SHAPE Michigan President Elect.

How did I decide to be a Physical Education teacher? I think I was the only kid I knew that went home the first day of summer and played "school" with my younger sister. Whether it was using old textbooks, teaching piano or sports- I was in charge and my sister, God bless her, went along with the fun. The summer I turned 16, I started volunteering for MDA of Macomb County MI at their summer camp. This is where I found a passion of wanting to work with kids with disabilities, albeit in the Physical Therapy realm. No matter what I thought I was going to do, God had other plans. The year I was to apply for PT graduate school, I decided to change my major to Physical Education. The rest is history...school, work, volunteering, and my passion fell into place. My passion for living a healthy lifestyle, always working to be the best version of myself, and teaching kids drives my dedication to being a role model for my students, which in turn helps me to be the most effective physical educator I can be. I am so thankful to my family, friends, and colleagues that have supported and continue to support me throughout my career.

I am very involved in SHAPE Michigan and often get asked about the benefits of being a member. I think a better question is 'Why wouldn't one be a member of SHAPE Michigan?' I attended my first SHAPE Michigan (then MAHPERD) convention in 2003, as an undergraduate student. I recently came upon a reflection paper I wrote afterward. I wrote that I learned so many new ideas, was encouraged to be creative and look at things differently, as well as to shift my mindset to truly understand what physical education is and what physical educators do. I said "it was amazing" over and over, describing in detail the sessions I had attended. Fast forward to 2023. The networking, resources, programs, and services that received through SHAPE Michigan are invaluable and have shaped (pun intended) who I am as an educator today. Never stop learning!

Join SHAPE Michigan or continue your membership today and renew your passion for Physical Education and Health Education, to grow your dedication in being the most effective educator you can be! God bless!

My name is Wendy Szuminski and I am a PE Teacher at Saline Middle School and High School. I graduated from Central Michigan University in 2018, and have been a PE teacher for 4 years. At CMU, I was on the Track and Field team, competing in the Heptathlon and Javelin. Now, I am the head coach at Saline High School for the Girls Track and Field Program.

When I am not at school or coaching, I love to read, workout, and play all sorts of games, like cards or board games. I have competed in a few triathlons, which is a swim, bike, and run race. I like to challenge myself and I am a very competitive person. This summer, I will be getting married, and I could not be more excited!

I became a PE teacher because I have a passion to help students and athletes become their best potential. When I was in school, I always looked up to my coaches and teachers, and I hope to have a similar impact on my athletes. It brings me joy when a student has the "click" moment, or when two students become best friends in your class. Teaching is much more than just completing the curriculum, but also to help my students grow into caring, helpful, and hard working students.

My name is Ryan Anderson and I am a senior attending Central Michigan University. Currently, I am student teaching at Clare Public Schools and plan on graduating in May. I grew up on the AuSable River in the small Northern Michigan town of Grayling. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling, golfing, working out, fishing, reading, and disc golfing.

I decided to go into health and physical education because I had many teachers that taught me valuable life lessons and helped me become the person I am today. My goal, as a future educator, is to provide students with a fun learning environment and to positively influence their lives.

Read about how Joe Matulis from St. Johns Public Schools used grant money from SHAPE Michigan!

Students at Eureka Elementary School (St. Johns Public Schools) surveyed the playground to find a location for their Ice rink checking for level ground. Once they found level ground students evaluated each location, deciding which spot would work best with the wind and the sun. Next students learned about Ice safety, skating etiquette, and safety gear. For the vast majority of the students their first time on the ice was groundhogs day. They all did great!

This project was funded in part by a grant from Michigan's P.E. Association, SHAPE Michigan and the Eureka PTO! Some of the skates were also donated by the community.

Check out all of the exciting action in Kerri Jent's Physical Education classes at Max Larsen Elementary in Coldwater.

Need some activities for Super Bowl week... Garrett Stephens has wonderful activities in the video below!

Did you know 4th and 5th graders ski free? Check out the link below and learn about the Cold is Cool Ski and Ride Passport App.

Read about GAME ON! to assist you in your funding for your program

LGBTQ+ students are still at disproportionate risk for persistent bullying, harassment, and victimization. In response to requests from school districts across Michigan, project staff created a suite of online professional development workshops to build the capacity of schools to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive culture and climate where all students can thrive. We are honored to partner with school districts to make these highly requested workshops available to school staff for winter and spring of 2023.

View the virtual offerings flyer for additional information about the workshops and links to register. In February, the project is introducing a new professional development offering geared toward coaches and athletic directors. The dates and times of the workshops are below. When your registration has been accepted, you will receive an email with an individualized zoom link. Spots are limited, so please note that not everyone who registers will automatically be approved based on the priorities outlined by our funders.

Participants who attend the full, live workshop will be eligible to receive State Continuing Education Clock Hours—SCECHs (1.75 hours) and Social Work CEs (2 hours).

• Educator Professional Development Day will be taking place at WISD on 2/22/23. Lunch will be provided. SCECH’s and sub reimbursement will be available. Registration will close on 2/15/23 to accommodate the lunch order. Register now, if you haven't already! See the flier below/attached for more information.
  

Sending a big thank you to everyone that participated in our January APE networking event! The presentation focused on modifications and adaptations for general physical education curriculum as well as teaching strategies, behavior management techniques, and a round table discussion. Here is the powerpoint and resource page from the presentation:

After a few years of hiatus, the 2023 Special Olympics Michigan Winter Games return to Northern Michigan! A rewarding experience for everyone involved!

Apply for a SPEAK Out! Day grant, which can be used to help offset travel costs:

Application Deadline: January 12 2023. https://shapeamerica.wufoo.com/forms/m1lcsmce18l6qli/

Grant recipients will be selected by SHAPE America and notified personally by January 16, 2023.

SHAPE Michigan is committed to the provision of programs, products and services that support health/physical education teachers, coaches, recreational specialists and allied professionals in their quest to promote healthy, active lifestyles. We offer professional development, advocacy, funding and networking ALL year to our members. Not a member yet? Need to renew? Invest in yourself, sign up/renew today.

Be a part of Michigan's professional organization for Physical Education and Health. Collaborate, network, and support our profession for only $40.00 a year!

A society in which all individuals in Michigan enjoy an optimal quality of life, through appreciation of and participation in active, creative, health-promoting lives.