September 17, 2025 Webinar to Focus on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Children The Pennsylvania Department of Health and The Pennsylvania Key will hold a webinar focusing on healthy eating and physical activity for children in October. Learn More The Pennsylvania Out-of-School Time (OST) Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Program Webinar will provide information to attendees about the HEPA program. It will include discussion of web-based asynchronous professional development events, resources, and strategies through the Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP). The HEPA program supports out-of-school programs to improve policies and practices to help children eat healthier snacks and move more. The webinar is recommended for anyone who currently runs an out-of-school time program for kindergarten through eighth grade students – including administrators and program staff, DHS-certified child care, 21 CCLC grantees, libraries, recreation programs, Boys and Girls Club administrators, and tutoring support. The event will run from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 22 on Zoom. The program is free to attend and will award up to $750 in innovation awards. Registration is open. If you cannot attend on this date and time, register and the recording will be available. Any further questions should be directed to Betsy O. Saatman at betsaa@pakeys.org or 484-955-5909.
January 9, 2025 Help Kids Eat Healthier Snacks and Move More The Pennsylvania Out-of-School Time (OST) and Healthy-Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Pilot Project will host a webinar in February. Learn More The HEPA pilot project exists to support out-of-school programs to improve policies and practices to help children eat healthier snacks and to move more. In the webinar, attendees will learn about the HEPA Project, including web-based asynchronous professional development events, resources and strategies through the Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP), and technical assistance through the Pennsylvania Key and state Department of Health. Those who currently run an Out of School time program for students in kindergarten through eighth grade should attend. This includes administrators and program staff, DHS certified child care, 21 CCLC grantees, libraries, recreation programs, Boys and Girls clubs, and tutoring support. The pilot project is free and will award up to $750 in innovation awards. The webinar will run from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday, February 6. Registration is now open.
September 17, 2020 Recess Helps Students Reach Their Full Potential As we begin a very different school year, the Recess Advocacy Team continues to elevate play and provide support to educators and families. Recess is key to helping students reach their full potential within the classroom and beyond. Several studies show that recess increases children’s attention span and productivity in the classroom. New Resources from the Recess Advocacy Team Send a letter to your child’s teacher The Recess Advocacy Team updated their student letter asking teachers to remember the importance of play to reflect our current times. Instructions: (1) Download the letter (2) Enter information for the teacher, your child’s name, and your name in the editable boxes (3) Save the letter with your information (4) Send the electronically signed letter via email If your child is attending school in person, you can still download, print, and share a hard copy. Play and Physical Activity Resource Guide for Educators and Families The Recess Advocacy Team compiled a list of resources for educators and families to make sure play and physical activity are a part of childrens’ days and serve as a foundation for their learning, growth, and development. This list includes resources, activities, and considerations for ensuring play shows up in our daily lives—and ways that educators and families can incorporate play/physical activity into children’s learning. Families are encouraged to share this resource when sending the letter to the teacher. Learn More About the Recess Advocacy Team The Recess Advocacy Team is a group of organizations dedicated to health, wellness, education, and play with a focus on recess practices and policies in pre-k through sixth grade. You can learn more about the Recess Advocacy Team on the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative website.
