The annual Oregon SHAPE conference is just around the corner. We heard that a lot of you were interested in us moving the conference day back to the statewide in-service day. We have scheduled two awesome pre-conference workshops on this day (October 13th). The first workshop lead by Suzanne Hidde (state coordinator for health and physical education). This workshop will be focused around unpacking the new Oregon SHAPE health and physical education standards. Secondly, Dr. Dean Kriellaars (Prof. at the University of Manitoba, Canada) will be leading an action packed workshop on physical literacy. Please check the draft schedule for more information regarding this great opportunity.

This year’s conference will be held on October 14 in Bend Oregon. We are happy to not only have Dr. Dean Kriellaars but also feature the 2017 national adapted physical education teacher of the year, Lara Brickhouse from Durham, North Carolina. We are excited to have Laura with us. Laura’s knowledge can not only help those that specialize in adapted physical education but also those that are teaching physical education in a mainstream setting. More information on Laura is located in the draft schedule as well.

If you haven’t already please RSVP for the 2017 Oregon SHAPE conference.

Thanks,

Collin Brooks

Hello Oregon Educators! School is absolutely back in session and if you are like all of us here at Oregon SHAPE, super busy! This month we are continuing our question and answer series in order to get you started in advocacy in your own environment, or if you are already an advocate, help you continue on your path of keeping high quality physical education and health education in Oregon schools. This month we are focusing on the system of schools.

Do I know how my district is organized and works?

Public schools receive funds from two main sources: The State Government and The Federal Government. Occasionally a local tax will also help support the schools as well. The state budget makes up most of the money that schools receive for their budget. In Oregon this occurs on a 2 year cycle. The Governor proposes a budget and our legislative body makes the final decisions. In Oregon all taxes are put into the general fund and then the legislative body decides who gets those funds and how much based on its priorities. The Federal Government supplies funds to the states based on the level of need based students are in each state (Title Funds). The Oregon Department of Education also helps the state prioritize the various components of education, track and hold districts accountable to the laws and provide direction for the flow of money as well as overall practices. In Oregon TSPC is a state funded organization that ensures that teachers have the proper credentials to teach in Oregon.

Once the money goes to the districts, the school board and Superintendent and other administrators allocate those funds based on the laws instituted by the state and federal governments.

Generally, principles in schools must construct a budget for their school as well as apply for title funds based on the needs and priorities of their individual schools. FTE is allocated based on student numbers, needs, and the budget available to the school and the district. Often, things such as professional development are decided by the Principal, District Priorities and a school leadership team.

Do you know who is on the leadership team in your school? Do you have a working relationship with your Administrator where you regularly supply them with info about current best practices in PE? Do you serve on a team in your school? Do you know who is in charge of your grade level content for the district? Does your district have a TOSA or centralized person that works with the upper level administrators with regard to your content area? Do you know who serves on the title team in your school?

These questions go back to our initial question of are you an island? Understanding how your district is structured and who makes the big decisions can help you structure your message and share information with the right people. The best info is info shared with the right people, in the right language at the right time. There is still a lot of MISINFORMATION about basic physical education and health practices out there, and the more you share the more it helps Oregon students!

If you don't serve on a team in your school, please consider researching them and doing so. Even a small amount of voice and sharing your content and passion can begin that ripple that turns into a storm of support.

Possible teams in each school...

• PBIS- Behavior support teams
  
• Leadership
  
• Family Involvement
  
• Sunshine (Staff Support)
  
• Health
  
• ELL
  

And lots, lots more!

Remember: An island can be a great thing, but we also need to share our skills, talents and voices to help the message being shared with others to remain well-rounded and healthy. Because that is what we do!

The benefits of physical education (PE) ring clear as a school bell. With PE, we can keep kids’ hearts healthy and their minds in gear to do their best at school. The fact is, active kids do better. Physical education has positive impacts on their physical, mental, and emotional health. Yet competing priorities are making effective PE programs increasingly less common. With your help, we can change that. ORGANIZATIONAL NAME is proud to support the Exercise Their Minds. Protect PE campaign led by Voices for Healthy Kids, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Active Schools and SHAPE America.

The campaign, running over the next month, will educate, engage & activate parents and other community members about the importance of PE with weekly calls-to-action. Social media messaging, which includes calls-to-action, videos, & graphics, will allow supporters to deepen their engagement & extend our reach across the country. Follow the campaign on social media through the hashtag #ExerciseTheirMinds or visit the website ExerciseTheirMinds.org.

Exercise their Minds™. Protect PE.

When children get more time for physical education, they do better physically, mentally, and emotionally, which is good for schools too.

Quality PE programs help make sure that our children are on their way to a healthier future. Physical activity can have a positive impact on cognitive ability, help kids avoid tobacco, and reduce their risk for insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Active kids also learn better. However, school PE programs have been decreasing over the years. Now only 3.8% of elementary, 7.9% of middle, and 2.1% of high schools provide daily PE or its equivalent throughout the entire school year. As parents and teachers, we can change these statistics and set our kids up for success.

Kids shouldn’t miss out on physical education just because of their zip code.

Heart disease and type 2 diabetes have a greater impact on communities of color, and longstanding racial inequities and socioeconomic challenges leave many schools without the resources to provide PE. With all of the competing priorities schools have, health often gets left behind. But students at these schools shouldn’t be at greater risk because of where they live. As teachers and parents, we can change this by advocating for policies that create and support PE programs at all schools.

PE is so much more than physical activity. It’s time to better support the whole child.

Active kids learn better. The fact is, active students focus and think better. That means higher test scores across the board. But the benefits don’t end there. Physical education addresses the needs of the whole child. Physical education programs provide the activity kids need for a positive impact on their physical, mental, and emotional health. PE programs improve judgment, reduce stress, and increase self-esteem. Making sure all students are getting physical education is a critical part of keeping kids healthy.

PE is so much more than physical activity. It’s time to better support the whole child. Exercise their Minds™. Protect PE.

Dear SHAPE Members:

My name is Hillary Franks, and I am a doctoral candidate in the School of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Northern Colorado. I am conducting my dissertation study to find out more about how physical education cooperating teachers participate in a number of different roles during the student teaching experience and your participation would be very helpful and appreciated!

You are receiving this invitation because you are a member of a SHAPE organization. The study consists of taking one 10-15-minute online survey. In addition, there is an opportunity to participate further in a phone interview, which will be explained at the end of the first survey. If selected to participate in the phone interview portion of the study you will receive a $25 Visa gift card! If you choose to participate, please click the link below to complete the survey. Your important participation in this study will help me to continue a line of research that, hopefully, will improve the student teaching experience for cooperating teachers and the student teachers!

Please click on the link below to complete the survey by Friday, September 22nd:

Follow this link to the Survey:
Take the Survey

Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser:
https://unco.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1LLeV0ZoG6FaAoR?Q_DL=1RBber80emTtSeh_1LLeV0ZoG6FaAoR_MLRP_emIhAMMTvieY46h&Q_CHL=email

Thank you in advance for considering participating in my study! I truly appreciate your help! Further directions are located at the above link. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at: hillary.franks@unco.edu.

Sincerely,

Hillary Franks

Hillary Franks, M.S.
School of Sport and Exercise Science
University of Northern Colorado

ODE has a new page focused on “Graduation in Oregon: Critical Elements Leading To Positive Graduation Outcomes” on their website.

There are eight critical elements listed that lead to positive graduation outcomes: http://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/GraduationImprovement/Documents/Eight%20Critical%20Elements.pdf

The eight critical elements:

• Leadership
  
• Start Strong
  
• *Whole Child Approach – Strategies under this element include: Trauma Informed Practices; Child Nutrition; Physical Education; Mentor Programs; School-based Health; and Social/Emotional Learning Integrated into Curriculum
  
• Inclusive School Culture
  
• Quality Data Systems
  
• P-20 Seamless Education System
  
• Clear Education Pathways
  
• Effective Instructional Practices
  

Here are some of the links to the specific strategies included in the Whole Child Education section:

1. Trauma Informed Practices
   
2. Child Nutrition Programs: Alternative Breakfast
   
3. Physical Education
   

Please check out this new resource and share it widely!

Now that schools are back in session it is a great time to start thinking ahead to your next Jump Rope for Heart or Hoops for Heart event. Oregon SHAPE can help put you in touch with a coordinator who will help you organize, run and launch your events.

Never done an event before? No problem, they will help you get started. Even if fundraising is not an option for your school American Heart can help you craft an event that meets your schools needs. Sharing the message of heart healthy and community wellness and service is still a great message that gets passed alone when you do an event.

Want more info?

Check out oregonshape.org or http://portal.shapeamerica.org/jump/ for more info!