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Introduction Letter
Introduction Letter
The Physical Education Action Kit For Change is a web-based, interactive tool providing the “steps” for School Health Councils to advocate and implement school policies and practices that support quality and quantity physical education.
The Physical Education Action Kit For Change guides School Health Councils through four action phases—each phase is released every three to four months. The Action Kit is available to ALL schools and communities. We encourage you to work at your own pace.
- Assess the current status of physical education at your school
- Gain the support of school board members, school administrators, school health professionals, parents, teachers and community members
- Create an action plan for improving quality and quantity physical education at your school
- Implement and evaluate a new physical education practice
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four phases of the Physical Education Action Kit for Change?
Phase 1: The Physical Education Review
Before School Health Councils determine the positive actions to be taken, a physical education review, or audit is conducted to determine the current status of physical education at your school. Materials and instructions to survey and assess your school’s physical education program will be provided.
Phase 2: The Community Support Activities
A community forum or opinion poll is used to gather feedback and build support for improvements to the physical education program. Materials provided include a PowerPoint presentation, flyers, an invitation letter template, press release letter template, fact sheets, a sample opinion poll, support building recommendations and additional resources.
Phase 3: The Action Planning
Areas for improvement of the Physical Education program are categorized into five sections including: time, learning environment, curriculum, assessment, and equipment. Based on the results of the Physical Education Review and the community feedback gathered, School Health Councils select one of the five areas to focus change efforts. Materials include an Action Planning Template, local success stories and model physical education policies.
Phase 4: The Implementation Process
The final phase focuses on implementing the action plan, pilot testing the Physical Education program with improvement changes, and reporting outcomes to school board accompanied by a proposal for new Physical Education practice at your school. Materials include directions on how to implement and evaluate the changes to your physical education program, and a PowerPoint template for presenting to school board.
What is the goal of the Physical Education Action Kit For Change?
The goal of the Action Kit is to help School Health Councils work to improve their school’s physical education program as well as the less formal opportunities for physical activity the school environment offers. The Action Kit will guide School Health Councils on how to advocate for and implement policies that support a healthier school environment through a coordinated school health framework.
What is a coordinated school health framework?
It is an approach for sending consistent messages about nutrition and physical activity by integrating efforts among school personnel from various departments (such as food service, health and physical education, and nursing) that impact a student’s health.
The eight components of a traditional coordinated school health framework are: health education, physical education, health services, nutrition services, counseling and social services, healthy school environment, health promotion for staff, and family/community involvement.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is educating and influencing decision makers on issues that impact public practice and the allocation of resources. Advocacy targets include: state practice makers, legislators, school board members, school administrators, school health professionals, parents, teachers, and community members.
How can our School Health Council get a Physical Education Action Kit For Change?
The Physical Education Action Kit complements the Local School Practice Satellite Training on Advancing Quality and Quantity Physical Education scheduled October 26, 2004.
For more information about the Action Kit, contact Rebecca Stametz, School and Communities Program Coordinator at rstametz@panaonline.org or call (717) 948-6314.
