Oregon Alliance for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
E-Journal Spring 2007
Presidents Message
Over the past four years serving on the OAHPERD board it has occurred to me how many similarities exist between the organization and what we all experience on a day to day basis in life. Time brings about change; in our associations, in our opportunities, in our challenges, and in how we adapt so we may flourish in the present and future. Change is a constant, but so are life guiding – or organizational guiding principles; these principles are what frequently guide, shape or dictate the decisions we make.
In the last couple of years we have said goodbye to some wonderful board members, but in their place other talented and dedicated individuals have stepped forward to lend their expertise for the betterment of the allied fields that OAHPERD represents. Tanya Frisendahl has entered where Jess Bogli left off as our ODE health education representative, she brings energy, enthusiasm, and some great new ideas. Malinda Schlatter entered the OAHPERD board at a challenging time, but a wealth of experience and determination coupled with a powerful vision for the future has helped her thrive in her role as Executive Director of the organization. Many other individuals, who are for sake of space being left unmentioned here, contribute to the many facets of the organization; their passion and dedication are a major part of helping health, physical education, recreation and dance to flourish in Oregon.
We have experienced both opportunities and challenges as an organization. On the board, the annual conference, membership, legislation, advocacy, and supporting the allied fields. In each of these areas challenges and opportunities arise; the challenges are confronted and the opportunities welcomed. This has been done through the perseverance of those individuals actively involved and advocating for their field.
The guiding principles of OAHPERD remain unchanged – to promote a wide and intelligent interest in the allied fields represented; to act as the central medium for Oregon to clear and disseminate information for these fields; and to unite in one organization those persons, schools, or agencies that seek to promote wellness through the fields OAHPERD represents.
The strength of OAHPERD is the same today as it was at its inception ninety years ago. That strength lies in its members – and most particularly its active ones. Consider lending your talents and strengths to the organization that represents wellness throughout the state of Oregon and beyond. Take a moment and email one of the board members that represent you and ask how you can get involved!
Jamie Tatum
OAHPERD President
Harrisburg Middle School
ADVOCACY STEPS TO OBTAIN QUALITY PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN OREGON SCHOOLS
– Aleita Hass-Holcombe
Tuesday, February 27th, was a day in which positive steps were made at the state capitol to move forward in our quest for quality physical education in Oregon. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of many folks who laid the groundwork for Tuesday’s hearing of Senate Bill 370 (Minimum Minutes), Senate Bill 367 (Inventory) and Senate Bill 372 (Assessment), the legislation was sent out of committee to Ways & Means with a “Do Pass” recommendation.
Phil Donavan and John Valley of The American Heart Association continue to be key players in lobbying efforts. Phil shared, ”All the advocates did a great job testifying before the committee and the lobbyists delivered committee member votes. I know that Senator Courtney felt very good about our work supporting his bills.”
Among those testifying for the bills included the familiar voices of Dr. Minot Cleveland and John Valley. Other voices included Julia Brim-Edwards from Nike, Hanna Vaandering President of the Beaverton Education Association, and Sonya Henning a Portland Public Schools board member and former WNBA player. In addition Senattor Courtney, his YMCA instructor Jenny Vannoy and Nick Young a student at Portland’s Da vinci arts magnet school also gave compelling reasons for supporting the three Senate Bills.
The hearing room was full of a variety of coalition supporters. Special thanks to Barbara Cusimano and Hans Vandemars who encouraged Oregon State’s MS-PETE students to attend the hearing. Thanks also to Ann Asbell, OAPE President, Don Zehrung OCPPE and Malinda Schlatter, OAHPERD Executive Director for being present.
A very significant next step in continuing the quest for quality physical education includes grassroots support letters to the members of the Education Subcommittee of Ways & Means. It is time to fill their bill files with lots of support letters. Letters need to be sent to each of the following Subcommittee members.
Chairs:
Sen. Kurt Schrader (D-Canby)
Rep. Mary Nolan (D-SW Portland)Education subcommittee:
Chair Galizio (D-Tigard)
Sen. Devlin (D-West Linn)
Sen. Deckert (D-Beaverton)
Sen. Morse (R-Albany)
Sen. Starr (D-Hillsboro)
Sen. Walker (D-Eugene)
Rep. Barnhart (D-Eugene)
Rep. Edwards (D-Hillsboro)
Rep. Jenson (R-Pendleton)
Rep. Morgan (R-Myrtle Creek)
Another significant step is to actually meet with members of the Subcommittee. Volunteers are appreciated. If you set up a meeting, remember to stick to the key message points about creating a better, more balanced learning environment for kids and addressing obesity now to lower health care costs in the future. To help track legislative visits please let Phil Donovan phil@nwpublicaffairs.com or John Valley john.valley@heart.org know who you are and with whom you met.
On Wednesday, March 14th, there is one other step you can take. Participate in Healthy Kids Learn Better’s Lobby Day. This activity is a really fun way to see a lot of great physical education advocates, visit legislators and help make our advocacy highly visible. If you aren’t going to Baltimore for the AAHPERD Convention, come to Salem!
Sorting out the Alphabet soup of the OAHPERD
By: Jo Rauch, President-elect OAPE
Members are always asking how OAHPERD (Oregon) fits in with AAHPERD (national). The following will explain the family tree of OAHPERD.
OAHPERD is Oregon’s version of AAHPERD. It consist of two organizations the Oregon Alliance of Health Education (OAHE) and the Oregon Alliance of Physical Education (OAPE). OAPE serves the members of Physical Education: Students, Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Adapted; Dance; Sport; Higher Education; and Adult Physical Activity.
The next level up the family tree is the Northwest District of AAHPERD which consist of Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. NW District is aligned so that its divisions are representative of AAHPERD's national associations AAHE, NASPE, NDA, AAPAR, and NAGWS. All will be explained under AAHPERD.
The National level of the family tree is AAHPERD is the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Its mission is to promote and support creative and healthy lifestyles through high quality programs in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle.
There are five national associations designed to provide members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills and so further the health and well-being of the American public.
- AAPAR: The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation is dedicated to enhancing quality of life by promoting creative and active lifestyles through meaningful physical activity, recreation and fitness experiences across the lifespan with particular focus on community-based programs.
- AAHE: The American Association for Health Education serves health educators and other professionals who promote the health of all people. AAHE encourages, supports, and assists health professionals concerned with health promotion through education and other systematic strategies.
- NAGWS: National Association for Girls and Women in Sports serves to develop and deliver equitable and quality sport opportunities for ALL girls and women through relevant research, advocacy, leadership development, educational strategies, and programming in a manner that promotes social justice and change.
- NASPE: National Association for Sport and Physical Education
is the largest of the five national associations. The mission of NASPE is to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high quality physical education, sport, and physical activity programs through research, development of standards, and dissemination of information.
- NDA: The National Dance Association leads in promoting and supporting creative, artistic and healthy lifestyles through quality services and programs in dance and dance education.
There is a proposed name change for AAHPERD. The vote will take place at the National Convention in Baltimore in March. The proposed name is American Alliance for Health and Physical Activity (AAHPA). For more information on the name change of AAHPERD go to: www.aahperd.org. The OAHPERD board has voted to support the name change. If the name change passes, OAHPERD will look at a name adjustment. Please watch for more information on this topic.
OREGON ASSOCIATION FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Click here to view a PDF version of the Constitution Revision with rationales.
OAPE Constitution and By-Laws Proposed Revisions
The OAPE Constitution and By-Laws were last revised at the 1991 OAHPERD Conference. Several things within OAPE and OAHPERD have changed in 16 years. An ad-hoc committee brought several revisions to the OAPE Board of Directors at the February meeting for approval. These revisions are now presented to OAPE members for review. At the 2007 OAPE Association meeting, members will vote on these proposed changes. Group discussions will take place prior to the vote, but members may also forward questions and suggestions to Ann Asbell, ann.asbell@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-6811. Following is a summary of the most significant proposed changes:
- The OAPE Board has changed. Because sport and dance have not had sufficient active members to maintain separate associations, they were merged with OAPE several years ago. This increased the Board by four members. Another change is to allow the student chair to vote. The name of the Special P.E. council will be changed to Adapted Physical Education which is the terminology used by OAHPERD and AAHPERD.
- Responsibility for communicating through the OAHPERD Journal is defined. This important means of communication had not been identified in the current document.
- The duties of secretary/treasurer and secretary/treasurer elect have been switched. The elect will have responsibility for recording minutes. The secretary/treasurer will have responsibility for the finances and budget. The Board felt that the person who has been on the Board for a year is in a better position to understand the finances and formulate the budget.
- Responsibility for the Awards will be removed from the duties of past president and become the co-responsibility of the member-at-large and the member-at-large elect. The past president had two major responsibilities, both falling at the same time of the year. Having two people co-chair the Awards Committee is a good checks and balance and helps ease the workload required for the Teacher of the Year Awards.
- These committees or duties will be deleted as they no longer function: Membership Committee, Professional Standards Committee, requirement of council chairs to keep written records of activities within their interest areas.
- Wording was changed to broaden the scope of OAPE. The phrase, ‘Physical Education/Activity, Dance, and Sport’ is used in several places to replace ‘Physical Education’ or ‘Physical Education and Dance’.
The OAPE Constitution and By-Laws with proposed revisions will be available shortly.
March OAHPERD Update
Hello everyone! I am Tanya Frisendahl, Health Education Program Specialist for ODE. I took over Jess Bogli's position. I have taught elementary school in the Salem-Keizer School District for the last 20 years. I also have been a Site Council Chairperson and district trainer on a variety of topics. I am currently working closely with Jess to make the transition as smooth as possible. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or needs. My email address is: tanya.frisendahl@state.or.us
There are a variety of trainings being offered across the state. We have several Standards and Assessment trainings, Mapping and Alignment trainings and a variety of curriculum trainings scheduled. If you would like more information on these trainings, or to register, contact Tanya Frisendahl at Tanya.frisendahl@state.or.us or Tamara Kuenzi at tamara.kuenzi@state.or.us
The Healthy Kids Learn Better Grants are a wonderful way to help raise test scores and improve the health of your students and staff. Schools that are interested in applying for a Healthy Kids Learn Better grant the information is now available on the ODE website http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=712 We will be offering funding for up to 20 schools. The grants will range from $7,000-$15,000. They are due on March 15th. There will be 4 for Mental Health, 4-5 for Asthma and 12 for Physical Activity, Nutrition and Tobacco (PANT). If you have any questions contact Gary English at gary.english@state.or.us
If you need any information or help please contact me. I am happy to assist you in any way I can! Tanya.frisendahl@ state.or.us
Health, Wellness and Physical Activity are Essential Skills
On behalf of the 2007 Silver Falls Higher Education Conference attendees, which included 54 people representing 13 different institutions including Chemeketa CC, Clackamas CC, Eastern Oregon University, Linfield College, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon State University, Pacific University, Portland CC, Portland State University, Umpqua CC, University of Oregon, University of Portland, and Western Oregon University (from here on called the Oregon Higher Education Health and Physical Activity Professionals), I am writing with their unanimous and enthusiastic support to state the need for at least a 3 credit class on Health, Wellness, and Physical Activity to be added to the Joint Boards Articulation Commission of the Oregon University System (JBAC) Oregon transfer general education option.
Health, wellness and physical activity are essential skills that are currently not included in the JBAC Oregon transfer general education option proposal. However, these are courses that are currently and routinely offered by the private and state universities as part of a general education requirement. Likewise, many of the state's community colleges currently teach such coursework to their students. Importantly, this coursework can positively impact the health and well being of our state's residents and teach them essential skills about living and behaving healthfully. Given the modern-day lifestyle and growing concerns and problems associated with chronic diseases and health conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, etc., it is inconceivable that a Health, Wellness, and Physical Activity requirement would not be included in the general education curriculum -- especially when there is a growing body of evidence-based literature supporting the short- and long-term value of such courses on students' knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and skills.
Given that the state’s 2- and 4-year public colleges and universities are the last major social institution that can positively impact the health and well-being of the citizens of Oregon, it is imperative that a Health, Wellness and Physical Activity requirement be added into the JBAC Oregon transfer general education option. This is consistent with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which call for an expansion of such coursework in American colleges and universities, not a reduction.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Our group strongly encourages you to add at least a 3-credit Health, Wellness and Physical Activity requirement to the JBAC Oregon transfer general education option. Not doing so would be irresponsible, short sighted, and certainly would not be reflective of current societal trends, needs, and issues.
On behalf of the Oregon Higher Education Health and Physical Activity Professionals,
Bradley J. Cardinal, Ph.D., Professor,
Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences
220 Langton Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331