Email: shapemichiganoffice@gmail.com
Website: www.shapemichigan.us
Phone: 866-980-4284
Facebook: facebook.com/SHAPEMICHIGAN
Twitter: @SHAPEMI

Welcome to the SHAPE Michigan January Newsletter Newsletter!

Have a wonderful 2023....we hope you are having a great start to the new year!

SHAPE Michigan looks forward to continuing to provide programs, products, and services

to all Physical Education and Health professionals in the upcoming year. Please send us your

suggestions, feedback and and comments. Send an email to

shapemichigandirector@gmail.com or call 866.9804284.

Happy New Year!! Hope you had a great break and are ready to take on your professional challenges. Remember, within the challenges are the joys of impacting the lives of others through health and physical literacy! Every time one of your students “gets it” or a colleague decides to work collaboratively to provide an effective program, that’s a “little” win.

Recently, we witnessed a life-changing and game changing incident on the football field when a routine tackle turned into a major trauma. Medical personnel and opponents worked to save the life of a downed colleague- Damar Hamlin…. and beyond the incident on the field, thousands worked, prayed and acted in various ways that demonstrated everyone CAN work together in a united effort to support the well-being of others. When #3 woke up, he asked if his team had won the game! The physicians told him he had won the game of life!! Wow---

What does it take to have a “Hamlin moment” in our collective worlds? We should avoid having that moment -when it’s life or death----i.e., programs or no programs- through complacency. While personally I choose to pray on a daily basis, it should not take a tragedy (program cuts, weak legislation, lack of funds, reduced class time, to name a few) to compel us to pray for the strength needed to face our challenges. Little miracles happen every day--- they are the students come through our doors. We need to work to make sure we impact them proactively… So when the real challenge comes for them, they will be ready. Hamlin had a lot going for him. He was in great shape, he had trained for his craft and the medical personnel were in the right place, at the right time to increase the probability that he could meet his incredible fate.

My wish for SHAPE Michigan and ALL of the professionals involved in health, physical education, sports, recreation, dance, physical activity outside the schools like clubs, YMCA, athletic training is that WE work together to provide programs, products and services that support HEALTHY, ACTIVE lifestyles ACROSS the lifespan. SHAPE Michigan pledges to provide you the opportunities to learn, network and lead the effort in your corner of the world. Together, we can all “win” the game of life.

Check out all of the opportunities you have this month and throughout the year. Check out this great newsletter, the website and your inbox for emails that will steer you to the professional huddle that marks your spot on the team. Let us know how we can help!

SHAPE Michigans Virtual Networking sessions are a wonderful way to connect, collaborate, and share with other Health and Physical Education professionals. Connect directly with others in your content area. This month the featured content area will be Adapted Physical Education. Join us....Free for everyone! Register at shapemichigan.us

Mark your calendars for upcoming SHAPE Michigan in-person workshops! You will not want to miss these additional opportunities to collaborate, learn, and to get energized for the upcoming months! These events are being hosted throughout the state so check out the workshop nearest to you!

My name is Wendy Szuminski and I am a PE Teacher at Saline Middle School and High School. I graduated from Central Michigan University in 2018, and have been a PE teacher for 4 years. At CMU, I was on the Track and Field team, competing in the Heptathlon and Javelin. Now, I am the head coach at Saline High School for the Girls Track and Field Program.

When I am not at school or coaching, I love to read, workout, and play all sorts of games, like cards or board games. I have competed in a few triathlons, which is a swim, bike, and run race. I like to challenge myself and I am a very competitive person. This summer, I will be getting married, and I could not be more excited!

I became a PE teacher because I have a passion to help students and athletes become their best potential. When I was in school, I always looked up to my coaches and teachers, and I hope to have a similar impact on my athletes. It brings me joy when a student has the "click" moment, or when two students become best friends in your class. Teaching is much more than just completing the curriculum, but also to help my students grow into caring, helpful, and hard working students.

Did you know 4th and 5th graders ski free? Check out the link below and learn about the Cold is Cool Ski and Ride Passport App.

Read about Game On to assist you in obtaining funding for your program!

LGBTQ+ students are still at disproportionate risk for persistent bullying, harassment, and victimization. In response to requests from school districts across Michigan, project staff created a suite of online professional development workshops to build the capacity of schools to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive culture and climate where all students can thrive. We are honored to partner with school districts to make these highly requested workshops available to school staff for winter and spring of 2023.

View the virtual offerings flyer for additional information about the workshops and links to register. In February, the project is introducing a new professional development offering geared toward coaches and athletic directors. The dates and times of the workshops are below. When your registration has been accepted, you will receive an email with an individualized zoom link. Spots are limited, so please note that not everyone who registers will automatically be approved based on the priorities outlined by our funders.

Participants who attend the full, live workshop will be eligible to receive State Continuing Education Clock Hours—SCECHs (1.75 hours) and Social Work CEs (2 hours).

Apply for a SPEAK Out! Day grant, which can be used to help offset travel costs:

Application Deadline: January 12 2023. https://shapeamerica.wufoo.com/forms/m1lcsmce18l6qli/

Grant recipients will be selected by SHAPE America and notified personally by January 16, 2023.

SHAPE Michigan is committed to the provision of programs, products and services that support health/physical education teachers, coaches, recreational specialists and allied professionals in their quest to promote healthy, active lifestyles. We offer professional development, advocacy, funding and networking ALL year to our members. Not a member yet? Need to renew? Invest in yourself, sign up/renew today.

Be a part of Michigan's professional organization for Physical Education and Health. Collaborate, network, and support our profession for only $40.00 a year!

A society in which all individuals in Michigan enjoy an optimal quality of life, through appreciation of and participation in active, creative, health-promoting lives.