Physical Education Newsletters - GET ONE!

It’s imperative that you share updates about your program with your parents and community, and a newsletter is a great way to distribute that information. Here are some tips on getting your newsletter up and going.


Getting started:

• Before you even begin creating your newsletter, you should decide its frequency, purpose, and distribution method (eNewsletter vs. printed newsletter).
• Use Microsoft Word or Publisher (or whatever word processor you prefer) to find a template. There are dozens to choose from, just be sure to customize it with your school colors and logo.
  

What to include:

• Info about upcoming events, fundraisers, etc. Plus, recaps from past events.
• Your department's mission.
• Articles/research about physical education, physical activity, childhood obesity, technology, health, nutrition, etc. Follow PE4life on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news in our field.
• Quotes from students about why your PE class is awesome.
• Guest post from other school faculty (parent, principal, school nurse, etc.).
• Call for support. Need volunteers in the gym? Help writing a grant? Now’s your time to ask.
• Information about PE4life. Use our boiler plate (below) and logo to show your parents and community that physical education and YOUR program are a part of something bigger than just your school.
  

(Your school name) strives to provide a quality physical education program. PE4life's Core Principles state that a quality physical education program should:

• Offer a variety of fitness, sport, leisure, and adventure activities to all students
• Implement a K-12 standards-based curriculum
• Provide a safe and encouraging learning environment
• Utilize individual assessments
• Incorporate current technology
• Extend PE beyond the walls of the gymnasium
• Ideally, be offered to every child every day
  

About PE4life
PE4life is a regionally focused organization with a national reach, and a vision that all children embrace wellness for life. Their mission is to advocate for improved fitness, social behavior, and learning readiness of children by inspiring, empowering, and educating schools and their community partners to be catalysts for change in establishing quality physical education as the foundation of a comprehensive school wellness program. To learn more about PE4life, visit www.pe4life.org.

Examples/Resources:
For some great newsletter resources and examples, check out:

• This great example of a newsletter from Parkview Middle School in Ankeny, IA
• http://www.aahperd.org/letsmoveinschool/tools/peteachers/communication_mar.cfm
• http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/teachingTools/observepe.cfm
  
• http://www.pelinks4u.org/naspeforum/cgi-bin/discus/search.cgi
• http://www.pelinks4u.org/archives/technology/030104.htm

Did we miss any good resources? Has your PE department been successful at creating newsletters? Post your links and tips in the comments below!