Physical Education Guidance & Resources
The New York State Physical Education Learning Standards (2020) Implementation Roadmap is a document prepared by the State Education Department to assist educators’ transition to fully implement the new physical education learning standards.Ìý The Roadmap’s goals and activities were developed by the State Education Department in collaboration with various local school districts and stakeholders to ensure that all New York State schools would be equipped to implement the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards (2020).Ìý The overall timeline for the implementation is as follows:
- Phase I: Raise Awareness (Fall 2020 – Fall 2021): Training on the new standards; awareness of the rollout timeline; statewide collaboration with the BOCES, school districts, professional organizations, and higher education
- Phase II: Build Capacity (Fall 2021 – Fall 2023): Guidance for local programs and curriculum development and additional standards resources and training
- Phase III: Full Implementation (Fall 2023 – ongoing): Full implementation of new standards
Implementation Roadmap and Timeline
- New York State Physical Education Learning Standards (2020) Implementation Roadmap
- New York State Physical Education Learning Standards (2020)ÌýImplementation Timeline
Certificate of Medical LimitationsÌý(Sample Form)
- The Individual Medical Certificate of Limitations form is a critical document, required for students who have specific health-related restrictions, as indicated by a physician’s examination or approved tests. This form outlines the areas of the physical education program in which the student can safely participate, in accordance with the guidelines set by the Commissioner of Education.
Parent Resource Flyer:
As a free and shareable resource, districts are encouraged to share the flyer in multiple settings or on a variety of platforms. Copies may be distributed through email, linked on a webpage, or printed and shared as part of a welcome packet or at a school function or event.ÌýAs the resource facilitates dialogue between parents and educators, the flyer is recommended for any situation in which parents and educators interact, such as parent teacher conferences or open houses.
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in EnglishÌý
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in Arabic
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in Bengali
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in Chinese (Simplified)
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in Chinese (Traditional)
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in French
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in Haitian Creole
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in Karen
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in Russian
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in Spanish
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in Urdu
- A Parent's Guide to the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards in UzbekÌý(Latin)
Create inclusive, meaningful opportunities to inspire movement, wellness, and community connection.
Schools can foster a culture of movement by organizing events and initiatives that highlight the joy and lifelong benefits of physical activity. These activities promote teamwork, student leadership, respect, and family engagement across all grade levels.
Event Ideas for Schools
Here are examples of activities that can be adapted to meet the needs of any school community:
- School-Wide Activity Challenges:ÌýTrack steps, active minutes, or participation in themed movement days.
- Physical Literacy Showcases: Host skill demonstrations, movement fairs, or student-created game expos.
- Community Walk-and-Roll Events: Organize inclusive walking, biking, or rolling activities involving students, families, and staff.
- Family Fitness Nights: Offer fun, accessible activities such as dance parties, yoga, or cooperative games.
- Student-Led Movement Initiatives: Encourage students to lead daily movement breaks, wellness campaigns, or peer activities.
- Seasonal Wellness Campaigns: Align events with observances like:
- National Physical Education & Sport Week (May)
- Heart Health Month (February)
- Walk & Roll to School Day (October)
- Field Days: Plan inclusive field days focused on teamwork, fun, and participation, ensuring all students can engage meaningfully in a variety of movement stations.
- Wellness Fairs: Host school or community fairs that combine physical activity stations with health education, mindfulness activities, nutrition information, and local wellness partners.
- Recognition Programs: Celebrate leadership, inclusion, sportsmanship, and positive behaviors in physical activity settings.
Additional Resources
For toolkits, templates, and collaboration opportunities to support these events, explore:
The Department is providing a reminder to schools of the safety and supervision requirements associated with swimming pool supervision and swimming instruction in schools. These requirements are governed by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) under the State Sanitary Code,Ìý, and apply to swimming pools located on school property used for school-sponsored activities such as physical education classes, swim teams, open or free swim during a class, and learn-to-swim programs.
Schools can play a significant role in preventing accidental drowning in children and youth by providing instruction in swimming and aquatic safety. Operating a swimming pool on school property requires compliance with public health regulations intended to protect the health and safety of persons using the pool facilities.
Requirements for All School Pools
- Health Department Permit:ÌýPools located in schools or on school property are required to have an up-to-date permit from the local health department (city or county health department or State District Office). This permit must be clearly posted at the facility.
- Written Pool Safety Plan:ÌýSchools must develop, maintain, and implement a written pool safety plan. This plan must include procedures for bather supervision, injury prevention, emergency response, first aid, and summoning help. The plan must be approved by the local health department and kept on file at the pool. NYSDOH has aÌýÌýavailable for use
- Lifesaving Equipment:ÌýLifesaving equipment, as required under Section 6-1.23(b) of the Sanitary Code, must be available at poolside.
- Incident Reporting:ÌýSerious incidents must be reported to the local health department within 24 hours and recorded in a log maintained by the school. Incidents include:
- Any incident resulting in death.
- Incidents requiring resuscitation.
- Incidents requiring referral to hospital or medical provider.
- Any bather illness associated with water quality.
Staff Supervision and Certification Requirements
All pools must be supervised by a lifeguard while in use. Certification levels of additional supervisory staff depend on pool characteristics and the activity taking place. Certifications must be current, and documentation must be kept on-site.
Supervision levels are defined inÌýÌýof Subpart 6-1:
- Supervision Level IIa or IIb:ÌýCertified Pool Lifeguard (IIa) or Pool and Beach Lifeguard (IIb). Required whenever a pool is in use, including during instructional activities. NYSDOH maintains a list ofÌý
- Supervision Level III:ÌýTrained in aquatic injury prevention and emergency response. This level does not meet lifeguard certification but is an option for the additional supervisory staff required when a certified lifeguard is also serving as an instructor or coach. This person provides uninterrupted surveillance of swimmers. NYSDOH maintains a list ofÌý
Instructional Activity Supervision Requirements
The following requirements apply during instructional swimming activities, including physical education classes (including open or free swim during a class), swim team practices and meets, and learn-to-swim programs:
- If a Supervision Level II lifeguard is teaching, instructing, coaching, or involved in activities other than direct bather surveillance, a second qualified staff member must be present on deck. This individual must hold either:
- Supervision Level II certification (lifeguard); or
- Supervision Level III certification (aquatic support).
- The additional staff member must be positioned to provide continuous surveillance of bathers, as defined in the school’s approved pool safety plan.
- One additional supervising staff member is required for each lifeguard involved in instructional activities, teaching, or coaching.
- The total number of supervising staff required for a pool is determined by the local health department, and is based on pool size, bather density, and additional factors such as pool shape , diving boards, and bather behavior. The pool safety plan must detail the required number of supervisory staff, staff positioning, and zones of surveillance for each type of use period.
For more information on the requirements for supervision and pool safety, contact your local health departmentÌý.