In this issue
Side Articles
Spring 2026: OAHPERD Journal
President's Message
A Message from the 2025-2026 OAHPERD President, Dee Gerlach
Dear OAHPERD Community,
Your OAHPERD Board and Council have been hard at work implementing the new strategic plan and preparing for the 2026 convention. Meanwhile, fitness, physical education, and physical activity have been key topics during this legislative session. OAHPERD stands ready to support teachers and schools in implementing any new physical education and physical activity requirements that may be introduced. Thank you for your dedication to our shared mission; together, we will continue to inspire collaboration, growth, and a healthier Oklahoma as we KeepMovingForward#2026.
Dee Gerlach, OAHPERD President
OAHPERD News and Events
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OAHPERD News OAHPERD's Board and Council are working diligently on the 2026 Convention! Now, we need your help to celebrate the amazing work going on in Oklahoma. In the below section, please nominate colleagues for the OAHPERD Awards or choose to present a session or two at convention to highlight your expertise.
Call for Presenters for the 2026 OAHPERD Convention are DUE Soon!!OAHPERD is excited to announce that the Call for Presenters for our 2026 Convention is now open! We invite educators, professionals, and experts in the fields of health, physical education, recreation, and dance to share their knowledge, innovative ideas, and best practices. Don’t miss this opportunity to inspire and collaborate with fellow professionals. Submit your proposal today! Submissions due June 2026. |
OAHPERD: Award NominationsThe Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance’s (OAHPERD) is looking for nominations for several of our Awards (separate from Teacher of the Year). Click here to find the criteria and descriptions on the nomination form. Nominate a deserving individual today and help us celebrate them and the work they do for our profession. #OKAHPERD |
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OAHPERD's Lunch & Learn Join us on April 28 at 12:00 pm for a Virtual Lunch and Learn Session with Rachael Hernandez, who works at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She will be discussing stress, burnout, and self-care strategies beyond a bubble bath. Register here to get updates regarding this Lunch and Learn. Submit questions for the Lunch & Learn We understand that not everyone is able to attend the Virtual Lunch & Learn each month. To ensure all teachers and health professionals can still benefit, we offer the opportunity to submit questions in advance for the featured subject matter expert. These questions will be addressed during the session, allowing you to watch the recording later and still receive meaningful, relevant answers on your schedule. Click on this link to submit questions to OAHPERD’s Lunch & Learn. Sessions are held virtually via Zoom, fostering statewide collaboration and accessibility. |
Interested in being an OAHPERD Sponsor or ExhibitorOAHPERD is looking for those companies and businesses that have an interest in becoming a Sponsor and/or being an Exhibitor for the 99th Annual OAHPERD Convention in October 2026. For those interested in being a Sponsor, check out the different Sponsorship Levels and benefits you can receive based on your contribution by clicking here. Please complete the form(s) below if you are and our Exhibits Manager, Katie Barton, will be getting in touch to discuss the opportunity further. Sponsor Interest Form Exhibitor Interest Form |
National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy Resources
Check out the NAHPL's Events & Resources |
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SHAPE America Resources
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SHAPE America'a Resources |
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Oklahoma's Physical Education Resources
OSDE's New Competitive Grant for Rural Schools
The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is offering a six-month ROOTS grant (May–October 2026) for 60 rural PK–12 schools to enhance physical education, fitness, and wellness initiatives aligned with state standards. Selected sites will receive professional development, mentoring, and up to $10,000 for approved equipment, with funding contingent on completing required activities such as trainings, coaching sessions, and collaborative learning opportunities. Click here to see a list of all eligible communities.
If you are interested in applying for the OSDE's ROOTS grant, please complete this form at https://forms.gle/khHHC6wX2jhxTmc46 by Monday, May 25, 2026. If you have questions, email Shana Classen, Project Manager of Health and Physical Education.
This grant is supported by the Oklahoma State Department of Health's (OSDH) Rural Health Transformation Program, funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award, RHTCMS332048, totaling $223,476,948.62 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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Fitness Challenge Calendar
S & S Blog's May 2026 Fitness Challenge Calendar is ready for you!
Use this printable calendar as a resource to share with your students and encourage them to also participate in the challenge at home with their family. For your physical education class or classroom, you can use the Fitness Challenge indoor or outdoors as a fun way to get kids moving and active.
The Alliance For A Healthier Generation created this fitness calendar for the month of May 2026. Here is the link to the download:
Printable Fitness Challenge Calendar May 2026
Journal and/or Peer Reviewed Articles
The purpose of this article was to identify areas in the school climate that could be addressed to reduce burnout, a cross sectional study was conducted in 2019 and 2024 exploring the domains of school climate that affect teacher burnout, perceived health and wellbeing.
Read more.
Convention Sponsors
We extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible sponsors for their generous support and commitment. Your contributions have been instrumental in making the convention a remarkable and successful event.
Your partnership helped in organizing a seamless and engaging experience but also demonstrated your dedication to our community. We truly appreciate your investment and belief in our vision.
Thank you for being an essential part of our organization. We look forward to continuing this valuable relationship and achieving even greater successes together in the future.
