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THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Volume III No. 7 1799 Lehigh Station Road • Henrietta, NY 14467 December 2003
PRESIDENT
Robert C. Zifchock
Freeport Schools
25 Pine Street
Freeport, NY 11520
Business: (516) 867-5392
Fax: (516) 867-5292
❖
PAST PRESIDENT
Robert McGuire
Burnt Hills-Balston Lake HS
89 Lakehill Road
Burnt Hills, NY 12027
Business: (518) 399-9778
Home: (518) 384-1409
❖
PRESIDENT ELECT
Thomas Stewart
Rush-Henrietta Schools
1799 Lehigh Station Road
Henrietta, NY 14467
Business: (585) 359-7853
Fax: (585) 359-7859
❖
EDITOR
Thomas Stewart
Rush-Henrietta Schools
1799 Lehigh Station Road
Henrietta, NY 14467
Business: (585) 359-7853
Fax: (585) 359-7859
Vital butInvisible
"What is essential isinvisible to the eye."These are not mywords, but those ofAntoine de SaintExupery author of The
Little Prince. With apology to the author—Iwould add that a person’s health is essential, yetinvisible to the eye. Certainly, obesity is notinvisible to the eye , yet the causes and depths ofthis problem remain invisible to most educators,communities and leaders. Does time maskobesity? What causes people to not see anessential need—our health?
The Manual of School Laws of the State of NewYork, to January 1887 makes reference to thehealth of students. For example, Section 87…"Ateacher has the right to prohibit the use oftobacco on school premises." Furthermore,"The teacher has the right to adopt any and allmeans and wholesome regulations for theconduct and management of school….for classes,recitations, study and recreations…" Childrenhad rights, too. "1. Children have a right toplenty of fresh air…and 3. A right to be cheerfuland happy" What has changed since enactingthose laws?
Turn the pages of time fast forward to the 1970’s,the 1980’s and the present day.
In his book Fat Land, Greg Critser takes youthrough a critical analysis, groundbreakingresearch and a review of the last thirty years. FatLand contains a wealth of knowledge that isfrightening. America’s obesity epidemic is asystemic problem. The problem and the solutionlie before us, but many do not see it. Whatcaused the obesity epidemic?
In uncomplicated terms, many have increasedcaloric intake and limited physical activity. Asimple meal at McDonalds changed from 590calories to the present day total of 1550 calories,(Critser, p.28.) The author identifies hiddencontributors to the obesity problem: particularfood additives, media messages and vending
machines in schools. High fructose corn syrupand palm tree oil have changed the way foodstasted and increased the caloric value of differentfood groups. Fast foods have used mediamessages, such as "Super Size" me, urging oneto eat more. Vending machines, which containsoft drinks and non-nutritional snacks, arepresent in schools. Not only do we eat more, butthere are hidden additives exacerbating theobesity epidemic.
Critser suggests schools offer promise as apossible battle ground to combat childhoodobesity. He also notes that there is a need toreinvest in traditional public school physicaleducation. Let me share some observations ofwhat is happening in schools.
What is frightening is the obsessive focus on testscores, which comes from internal and externalpolitical pressure. The development of the wholechild including mind, body and spirit has taken aback seat to the unbridled push to increase testscores. School reform efforts are a visiblepriority of schools, communities and leaders.
According to research, there is a positivecorrelation between cognition and physicalactivity. Improved cognition is well documentedby Shepard (1994, 1997, and 1997) in PediatricScience and most recently by the CaliforniaDepartment of Education (2001). If principalsand schools truly want to raise scores, thenincrease physical activity. Test scores will rise.
Health education, physical education, athleticsand intramurals must work together. They areessential interventions to childhood obesity,
Are there blockades? Are physical educationprograms adequate? What is qualityprogramming? How can programs be heldaccountable? How does essential become visibleto the eye? What is quality physical educationand health education?
Physical education, out of societal necessity,perpetuated questionable practices that leftemotional scars on some adults. Each adult’smemory of physical education is far differentthan that of the current and practicingprofessional. Mental images are powerful andinvisible deterrents to change
Editor’s Column - “Welcome”
NSFF Looking for School Districts inNew York to Participate
The National School Fitness Foundationis looking to provide qualified schools inNew York with the L.I.F.T Program,valued at more than $215,000 at nocharge, as long as they follow theFoundations guidelines. “We want toprovide Americas youth with the meansto become and stay physically fit,” saidNSFF President Cameron Lewis. “Ourpassion is to L.I.F.T. students tohealthier, happier lives.”
To receive the Leadership in FitnessTraining (L.I.F.T.) Program--free of cost,schools must simply provide adequatespace, appropriate flooring, willingfaculty, and all health-related datacollected in the facility. The Foundationevaluates the data in order to trackfitness improvements and to helpadvance the health of future generations.
Schools that receive the L.I.F.T. AmericaProgram are equipped with age-appropriate resistive and aerobic fitnessequipment, a high-tech computerizedassessment kiosk, a proven physicaleducation curriculum, ample first aidsupplies and faculty training andcertification.
The Program utilizes a scientificallyproven super circuit, which combinesaerobic and strength training. The benefitto participants is improved bodycomposition (more lean body mass andless fat mass) and enhanced self-confidence. Some schools with theL.I.F.T. America Program have reported23 percent gains in muscular strength.The end result for schools is thecontribution of a cutting-edge Health andWellness Physical Education Center,which can also be used to benefit thecommunity. The Foundation encouragesschools to open the Center’s doors andinvite the community to workout.
Schools that choose to open theirCenters to the public can keep all profitsgenerated from the sale of memberships. Thousands of children and adults in 17states are already benefiting from theL.I.F.T. America Program. Currently, 278high schools/middle schools and 22elementary schools have the Program.The Foundation recently provided thefirst elementary school with the L.I.F.T.America Program on 23 April 2003.
A representative from the NSFF will beon hand at our COA Conference inOctober.
For more information contact:
Becky TaylorNational School Fitness FoundationPhone: (801) 492-3440, ext. 154E-Mail: mailto:[email protected]
For more information about NSFF: Visit:http://www.nsff.net/
Even though it is already November, I’d like to welcome youback to another exciting school year! By now, you havealready moved forward with your own district’s 2003-04school plans for physical education and health. Many of youwere in attendance at our State COA Conference held at theVilla Roma from October 19-21. The conference was a bigsuccess, thanks to the outstanding work done by theconference committee! Of particular interest to me was thestate physical education assessment presentation. The CD willbe available to school districts very soon. In my opinion, thisassessment tool will drive our future work together as a stateorganization. New York State has taken the lead in physicaleducation programming through the leadership ofNYSAHPERD, COA, and many other professionals who havecontributed to the Goals 2000 project and the completion ofthe state assessment tool.
In this issue of the Times, we have included news about agrant that is available through the National School FitnessFoundation. Take advantage of this special opportunity to getstate of the art fitness equipment for your district. Alsoavailable to you is a sample of a PEP grant proposal from myschool district. We were not one of the successful schools, butI still would like to share with you a sample of what wassubmitted. Visit out website at www.nysahperd.org/coa andclick on PEP grant sample. Our district hired a grant writer towrite the proposal, but there was a significant amount of worknecessary from the physical education department to completethe proposal. Take a look and let me know what you think([email protected]).
You need to be aware of the status of Middle-LevelEducation in New York State and its impact on health andphysical education in our middle schools. Through theleadership of NYSAHPERD, a position paper was sent to theBoard of Regents and Commissioner Mills, advocating foryour school’s health and physical education program. I urgeyou to visit the NYSAHPERD website for up-to-dateinformation (as follows):
• What’s happening and why
• The position paper and talking points
• How you can impact the decision making process
• Advocacy strategies
• Guiding principles for successful advocacy
Also, pay close attention to Bob Zifchock’s President’sMessage! This past summer, Bob presented testimony (inAlbany) on behalf of quality physical education in New YorkState and the child obesity problem. He presented to the NewYork Sate Assembly and Senate (standing committee onchildren and families). You should also know thatAssemblyman Felix W. Ortiz introduced a bill that wouldincrease the minimum requirements for physical education inall New York State schools. For more information, click onwww.nysahperd.org.
Great Opportunity!
— Presidents Message continued from front —Continued from cover...
Quality physical education isfundamentally different today than it wasyears ago. The New York StateEducation Department and field agentshave developed tools to standardizeassessments in the following areas:application of fitness principles, skills,strategy and rules; performing, creatingand responding; and personal/socialresponsibility and safety. Students willhave to show proficiency andcompetency in nine different recreationalactivities at the commencement level.What is embedded within thecompetencies and proficiencies?
Cognition, as well as skills and fitnesstesting, will become integral componentsof a sequential physical educationprogram. The New York StateAssessment Committee has developedstandards for physical education that willsolidify assessing students across thestate. Fitness-based programs willintegrate the concepts of personal fitness:body composition and weight control,
muscular strength and endurance,flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, stressmanagement and nutrition. All of whichare critical life skills to the purpose thatstudents will truly be able to graduate asPhysically Educated People.
Programs can be held accountable as aresult of the newly created assessmenttools. Data driven decisions will bepossible, elevating physical education tothe category of core curriculaprogramming. This becomes paramountif the quality of life in our Nation is toimprove. The question becomes: what isthe purpose of knowledge, if people donot posses the stamina and health topursue their dreams?
Quality health education is also verydifferent today than it was a few yearsago. Reform efforts are changing theway health education is delivered. It isstandards-based, skills-driven, science-based, learner-based, and held togetherby what is called the Navigational StarsInitiative. Functional knowledgeincludes physical activity, nutrition,
tobacco, HIV/AIDS, family life andsexual health and injury and violenceinstruction. Seven skills include theoverall encompassing skills of self-management, relationship management,stress management, communication,decision making, planning and goalsetting and advocacy. Health educationis an essential component in battlingchildhood obesity.
The school bell is about to ring open anew year. Let’s loudly ring that bell togain attention of educators, communitiesand leaders. Let’s find those gifts thateach child has and find the means tofully develop them. Let’s reduceobesity through visible and essentialprogramming in physical activity andnutrition. A person’s health is essential,let’s make it visible to the eye.
Get, be and stay well.
Bob Zifchock
Q: If a student transfers to us in the 11thgrade and he already has two credits inP E, would he still have to take PE ingrade 11 and grade 12?
A: Part 135.4 specifically states thatphysical education must be taken duringeach of the two semesters throughout thegrade 9-12 high school years.
Physical Education credit may not beadvanced. Each pupil must attend,participate, and pass physical educationduring both semesters of each schoolyear in order to accumulate thenecessary 2 units of credit required forgraduation. Subsequently, the pupil youare referring to must attend, participate,and pass physical education during the
remainder of his/her high school years.
Q: We are hiring a new physicaleducation teacher this year. We alreadyhave a male PE teacher in the building
and will be looking for a female. Wewant to make sure that we haveappropriate supervision in the lockerroom, etc. Should we list the position as“female PE teacher?”
A: Unless the job requires it specifically,you cannot list a job (or hire someone)based on gender. For example, awashroom attendant can be listed asmale/female for obvious reasons.Teaching is not a position that requiresone specific gender over the other.Duties such as supervision of the lockerroom or coaching a specific gender arecertainly not requirements for teachingphysical education. Check with yourhuman resources department for allhiring practices.
Q: Where are we with the physicaleducation assessment tool (CD)?
A: The statewide assessment committeewill have the CD-ROM completed and in
the hands of school districts this schoolyear. The State Education departmentoriginally planned on “rolling out” theCD-ROM through a statewideteleconference. These plans may have tobe altered due to limited funding. Thereare plans for regional informationalworkshops designed to assist teacherswith the implementation of the CD-ROM. These workshops will includestrategies and guidelines for bothteachers and administrators. To datethere is no time line set for the regionalworkshops.
Sara Doolittle and Tom Fay are currentlycompleting the CD-ROM. Once it iscompleted the State EducationDepartment will review it. The plan is toproduce 10,000 copies, enough for eachschool district to receive at least onecopy free of charge. The district canthen replicate as many copies as theywish.
&Q A: Have a question? Send your email to [email protected]
Council of AdministratorsNew York State AHPERD1799 Lehigh Station RoadHenrietta, NY14467
PRSRTSTD
US POSTAGE PAID
NEWBURGH, NY 12550
PERMIT NO. 8604
2003 COA Award Winners(Presented at the Anne Mackey Luncheon, October 20)
Zone Awards
COA Special Service AwardDennis Fries, Harold Fried, Mary Berhang
Director of the YearRonald Woodruff
Ellis Champlin AwardEric Malmberg
Chapter 2: Frank Owens Chapter 2: Ron Grastorf Chapter 3: Brad HamerChapter 4: Michael WhiteChapter 5: Tom StewartChapter 8: Andy Herman Chapter 10: Carl Normandin Chapter 11: Peter Blieberg
From Left to Right: Denny Fries, Harold Fried, Mary Berhang, Bob Zifchock
Ronald Woodruff (L), Bob Zifchock (R) Eric Malmberg (L),Bob Zifchock (R)
