WHPE Update March, 2025

WHPE President- Sandee Ortiz

Women's History Month: A "First Serve" for Equality, Empowerment, and Title IX

Greetings WHPE Members-

March is here, and with it comes Women’s History Month—a time to honor the remarkable women who have shaped history and continue to serve as leaders in education, sports, and beyond. As we reflect on the progress we've made, we are reminded of the pivotal role women in physical education have played in breaking barriers—and how Title IX has been a key force in providing women with equal access to these opportunities.

In alignment with my First Serve theme, we celebrate the women who, for decades, have been leading the charge for gender equality in sports and physical education. The passage of Title IX in 1972 was a game-changer, ensuring that women gained equal access to physical education programs and sports at all levels, from schools to universities. Before Title IX, girls were often excluded or given limited opportunities in physical education, and women’s sports programs received far fewer resources and recognition than their male counterparts. Title IX broke down those barriers, ensuring women had equal access to athletic opportunities, facilities, and coaching.

Trailblazers like Billie Jean King were instrumental in advocating for gender equality in sports, both on and off the court. King’s courageous stand in the “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973, where she defeated Bobby Riggs, was a pivotal moment in sports history. Beyond her athletic achievements, King worked tirelessly to ensure equal pay and opportunities for women in tennis. As one of the founders of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), she helped lay the groundwork for the professionalization of women’s tennis. King’s efforts not only impacted tennis but also helped set a precedent for gender equality across all sports, encouraging greater investment in women’s athletic programs, including physical education.

Pat Summitt, a legendary basketball coach, is another important figure in the fight for equality in sports and physical education. Summitt, who led the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team for 38 years, was a fierce advocate for women’s athletics. She pushed for better recognition, funding, and opportunities for women’s sports, demonstrating that women deserved the same respect and resources as their male counterparts in all aspects of sports, from college programs to physical education curricula.

Nancy Hogshead-Makar, an Olympic gold medalist swimmer, was also a key advocate for Title IX. As a vocal supporter of women’s rights in sports, she helped bring awareness to the gender disparities in athletics and worked toward achieving equity in sports opportunities for women. Her advocacy continues to have a lasting impact on ensuring that women have access to the same opportunities as men, especially in educational and physical education settings.

In more recent years, Caitlin Clark, the standout star of women’s college basketball, has had a transformative impact on women’s sports. Her record-breaking performances, dynamic playing style, and leadership have brought national attention to women’s basketball, inspiring a new generation of athletes. Clark has used her platform to advocate for better recognition, respect, and opportunities for women in sports, proving that women’s athletics can capture the public’s imagination and thrive on the big stage. Her influence extends beyond the court, encouraging young women to pursue their dreams in sports, knowing that the sky is the limit.

These trailblazing women, along with countless others, have played pivotal roles in the advancement of Title IX and in creating a level playing field for women in physical education and sports. They fought for the right to compete, to be taken seriously, and to be recognized as equals in the world of athletics. Title IX not only increased access to sports but also made physical education more inclusive, ensuring that all students, regardless of gender, had the opportunity to develop physical skills, confidence, and leadership abilities through education and athletics.

This Women's History Month, we celebrate not just the athletes, coaches, and educators who have excelled, but also the advocates and administrators who fought for equal access to physical education for women. Their work continues to inspire young women to pursue their passion for sports and physical fitness, knowing they now have the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

Ways to Get Involved:

Acknowledge the impact of Title IX and its legacy in providing women access to physical education and sports.
Support and celebrate women’s sports programs, coaches, and educators in your community.
Advocate for continued efforts to break down barriers and expand opportunities for women in athletics and physical education.

By celebrating the trailblazers who fought for equality, we pave the way for future generations of women athletes, educators, and leaders.

Sandee Ortiz

WHPE President

sortiz@sunprairieschools.org

WHPE Convention: Call for Proposals

The WHPE Board of Directors needs your help to make our 2025 WHPE convention a success! Please consider sharing your best program/teaching practice with fellow members at the 2025 WHPE Convention, October 29-31, 2025 to be held at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Wisconsin Dells. If you have a health, physical education, and/or adapted physical education session you are interested in presenting, please complete the WHPE Convention Session Proposal via this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6iVddEKDHqoyPUA6dOHD4-iq3W3bgDDjIO9Mwo0w-4dSgsw/viewform

Proposals are due April 15, 2025. As in the past, the lead presenter (1) for each session will receive a discounted WHPE Convention registration fee of $75.

Healthy Schools Academy

Starting in the school year 2024-2025, the Wisconsin School Health Award will transition to the new Healthy Schools Academy platform. This platform is designed to be more user-friendly and easier for schools to use, incorporating the CDC’s School Health Index (SHI) modules 1-4 as a foundational element.

The Healthy Schools Academy offers:

Three Participation Levels: Schools can progress through levels based on their capacity and goals, beginning with Level One.
Funding Opportunities: Participating schools may be eligible for financial support once a level is completed.
Collaborative Learning: Schools will have access to Communities of Practice or Professional Learning Communities, where members can engage, share insights, and learn from one another.

SE District Workshop

We are excited to share that registration is now open for our 2025 SE District Workshop! Join us Saturday, March 8 from 8:00 a.m. -12:20 PM at New Berlin Eisenhower High School. The workshop is FREE for all WHPE members and only $20 for non-members (University students who are not members are only $10). Below you will find the registration form, a tentative schedule (still filling in a few more presenters), and a link to sign up for WHPE membership if interested. Please reach out if you have any questions and I look forward to seeing many of you in March!

➡️WHPE SE District Workshop - Registration Form

➡️Workshop Schedule

➡️WHPE Online Membership Application Form

WHPE Board of Directors: Call to Nominate

Get involved in WHPE, nominate a colleague or yourself for a WHPE Board of Directors position. The deadline to nominate is March 15, 2025.

WHPE will hold an election in October of 2025, for the following positions:

President Elect (Executive Committee)
Serving as president elect is a four year commitment to the WHPE Board of Directors. The candidate elected to this position will serve one year as president elect, two years as WHPE president, and one year as past president. Once their president elect year is completed, the WHPE president acts as chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. It is recommended that candidates for president elect have already served at least one full term as a voting member of the WHPE Board of Directors.

Secretary (Executive Committee)
The secretary shall be elected for a two year term. The secretary shall be responsible for recording Board of Directors meeting minutes and documenting board decisions. The secretary shall share BOD minutes and appropriate documents with the WHPE Office. S/he will be a voting member for the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

District Coordinators (Board of Directors)
District coordinators for the five (5) districts of WHPE shall be elected for a two year term. District coordinators are voting members of the WHPE Board and represent members of their respective district.

Central District Coordinator
Northeast District Coordinator
Northwest District Coordinator
Southeast District Coordinator
Southwest District Coordinator

All candidates for the Board of Directors must be members of WHPE for at least two years prior to their nomination, and be a current member at the time of their nomination. If elected, the prospective BOD member shall remain a member to continue in office.

If recommending a candidate or candidates, please be sure to obtain the consent of the candidate/s before proposing them for office. You may also nominate yourself if you are interested in running for a position in WHPE.

The WHPE Board of Directors meets two Saturdays during the school year, the Friday of the WHPE convention, and one or two days during summer for the summer BOD meeting (TBD). The Executive Committee also meets the Friday night before the Saturday BOD meetings, and the morning of or day before the summer BOD meeting (TBD).

Nominations due by March 15th, 2025.

For a description of the responsibilities and operating code of the WHPE Executive Committee and Board of Director Positions, please view the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NEE4t0Os4uST_Z_uiz1cMQf9zojiAm9FCdDu11tULbo/edit?usp=sharing

Nominate using this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgoRyiDJzXU2VQ_jkTQQ0SQFJiDl49yIGQFH5EyVH3FFq54g/viewform

2025 Best Practices in Health and Physical Education Conference

Watch your email for updates on conference program details and registration information.

Save the dates

The 2025 WHPE State Convention will be held on October 29th, 30th, and 31st at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. This event continues to be a fantastic opportunity for professional development, networking, and learning new strategies to enhance your teaching practices in the health and physical education field. Be sure to mark your calendars and begin planning ahead!

With budgeting right around the corner for many school districts, now is the time to start thinking ahead and having conversations with your administration about the value of attending professional development opportunities. Share how these experiences will help you grow as an educator, enhance your teaching strategies, and ultimately serve your students better.

Attached is a Toolkit to help you navigate conversations with your building principal or curriculum director.

Create talking points based on the needs/benefits table to demonstrate to your supervisor or principal how attending the state convention aligns with the school’s or district’s current initiatives.
Personalize and send the justification letter template to your supervisor to request a face-to-face meeting.
Before your meeting, review the provided talking tips to ensure a strong, clear presentation.
Finally, use this toolkit to explain how this professional development opportunity will enhance your teaching effectiveness and improve student learning outcomes in the classroom.

Click Here for the TOOL KIT

Upcoming Winter Wisdom - Let's Talk about Advocacy!

WHPE is committed to serving our members. We believe that professional development and collaboration offers numerous benefits that can enhance your teaching practices, improve student outcomes, and contribute to personal growth. Join us to learn more about how you can be the best advocate for yourself, your program and your students!

The last Winter Wisdom will be on March 12th at 7pm on Zoom. A link will be sent out on Tuesday, March 11th to all members.

SHAPE NATIONAL CONVENTION BALTIMORE 2025

Each year, the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo brings together the health and physical education community for five days of professional development, networking and collaboration.

This event is more than just a convention. It’s an unparalleled experience where you’ll make true connections with:

Dedicated health and PE teachers;
Higher ed faculty/researchers;
Future HPE professionals; and
Administrators and district/state coordinators.

Make plans now to join us at #SHAPEBaltimore. Thousands of your peers will be there, and everyone is ready to share their knowledge … their resources … and their passion for the profession with you.