OAHPERD Journal

It's beginning to look a lot like spring time in Oklahoma! In this edition of the newsletter, you'll find information about the OAHPERD Spring 2022 Convention being held on Monday, April 11th – Tuesday, April 12th, 2022, at the University of Central Oklahoma. It will be a great time to connect and support one another. Thank you for doing important work for Oklahoma's health and well-being. We are stronger together!

Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (OAHPERD) Convention: Challenging the Future! Come reconnect with colleagues and other professionals from across the state on Monday, April 11th, 2022, 7:00 AM through Tuesday, April 12th, 2022, 4:00 PM, at University of Central Oklahoma. The registration links are below. If you want to learn more about the OAHPERD Spring Convention 2022, check out the convention's full program!

Marlys Gwaltney, physical education and health teacher, has over 25 years of teaching experience at the Kindergarten through third grade level at the Bentley Primary School, in the Halstead-Bentley School District (Kansas). During her career, Marlys has served in leadership roles (e.g., 2018 KAHPERD President) and has achieved many accolades for her teaching talents including 2017 SHAPE America Central District Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, 2018 Kansas Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist, 2016 KAHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, and 2016 USD440 Halstead-Bentley Teacher of the Year.

Marlys' teaching and her presentation style can be characterized as fun, engaging, and extremely creative. She has a knack for putting a "new spin" on activities and taking instructional strategies to the next level. Marlys has a passion for physical education and health which is easy to see when she presents and inspires teachers across the country. You won't want to miss Marlys when she presents at the OAHPERD Spring 2022 Convention.

• Joanna Ferber, 2009 AAHPERD National NASPE Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, National Board Certified Teacher, Southern District, and Louisiana Teacher of the Year.
• Jerry Honeycutt, 2021 Southern District Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
• Stephanie Canada-Phillips, 2008 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year
• Strength and Conditioning Track: Powered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association

Healthy Schools Oklahoma (HSOK) is accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year! The HSOK program promotes health and wellness in elementary schools across the state! To learn more about HSOK, check out the website. If interested in being a part of this grant program, complete the letter of interest on or before Friday, April 14th, 2022. Once a school submits the letter of interest, HSOK will send a full application. Applications are due by Friday, May 6th , 2022.

Health and physical educators across the country are sharing ideas, resources and more! Check out the latest videos on our YouTube channel.

TOY Talk Tuesday S2, Episode 9: On the Dimensions of Wellness

• Elizabeth Bolger, SHAPE America’s 2021 Eastern District Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, joins us to discuss the dimensions of wellness and to offer different activities to build students’ healthy habits.

Resources From the SHAPE America Recruitment and Retention Task Force:

• Video: Same Team, Same Vision: Hear from a wide range of professionals who share how important they consider their HPE colleagues to be in working toward the same mission: healthy, thriving kids and communities.
• Blog Post: Why You Should Participate in Your State Association … at Every Phase of Your HPE Career: Read more about the benefits of engagement in your state associations and SHAPE America from individuals with three different perspectives — a future professional, current K-12 HPE teacher, and higher education faculty member.

Click here for the Elementary and Secondary Calendars in English and Spanish

Check out SPARK's free resources:

• SPARK 2022 Institute Dates Announced & Registration Information

• Webinar: Taking Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to the Next Level: Access, Opportunity, and Social Engagement

• SPARK Blog: COVID-19's Impact on Youth Physical Activity

• New SPARK App! Free Trial - Learn More Here

Click on the buttons below to access the articles.