Project SWITCH 2.0

Overview

In 2018, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) received a Get Fit grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase the number of students who are physically active, eat nutritious meals, and manage chronic health conditions.  On July 1, 2021, a $433,333.00 second supplemental grant, Project SWITCH 2.0 (Strengthening Wellness and Improving Teachers and Children’s Health), was awarded OSDE. These funds will be used by districts across the state through to establish infrastructures, provide professional development to school administrators and teachers, offer technical assistance for COVID-19 related guidance, and direct Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) technical assistance for identified priority districts.

Statewide Cadres

Project SWITCH 2.0 will support school staff members and students with safe and best practices for physical education, and monitoring chronic diseases during the 2021-2022 school year. Addressing the needs of students with chronic health conditions and special health care needs according to the provided CDC COVID-19 guidance will be completed through the development of a school nursing cadre that will offer technical assistance to schools across the state and through tele­medicine opportunities in identified target LEAs.

Resources for Painted Play Spaces

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognized Painted Play Spaces in a recent spotlight story. Click here to see the video.

Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) partnered with the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) to develop recess resources and use painted play spaces to ensure social distancing during play time.

Northern Hills Elementary, in Edmond Public Schools, was selected as a pilot school for the project. Stencils were used to paint recess games on the playground and ensure students 6 feet of separation while playing. The physical education teachers taught the games in physical education class before OSDE filmed the students playing the games. With the recordings, OSDE created demonstration videos on how to safely conduct physical activity opportunities before, during, and after school. UCO collaborated with Crescent, Justice, Tonkawa, and Wetumka Public Schools to paint games (with reusable stencils) on one playground in each school district. Paint and stencils will be purchased with grant funds. UCO and OSDE created the following resources for this project:

Playbook of Recess Games 

Painted Play Spaces: Playground Assessment and Planning Toolkit 

Demonstration Videos of Recess Games

Painted Play Spaces Asynchronous Training Module on OSDE Connect

Painted Play Spaces (PPS): Stencils Checkout System

Interested in borrowing the stencils to create "Painted Play Spaces" (PPS) at your school? To check out the stencils, please complete the PPS Stencils Pre-Assessment Form, and then the PPS Stencils Pre-Assessment Form.

PPS Stencils Pre-Assessment Form

PPS Stencils Assessment Form

Asynchronous Training Modules 

OSDE has developed a suite of virtual professional development modules produced through the Project SWITCH, a CDC grant designed to provide COVID-related information and guidance on best practices for physical education, chronic disease management and social and emotional climate. Topics are geared towards school nurses and physical education educators. However, the topics are likely of interest to other educators, support staff and leaders. The topics currently available:

For school nurses or other who perform school-based health services: 

COVID-19 Vaccinations: Exploring Common Questions and Strategies to Boost Vaccination Intentions

School-Based Health: Disparities Associated with the Pandemic

Chronic Health Conditions During the Pandemic

School-Based Health Services: Data Analysis for Chronic Health Conditions

School-Based Health Services: Differential Assessment of Students with COVID-19

Addressing Developmental and Special Health Care Needs During COVID-19 

School-Based Health Services: Updated COVID Guidance and Self-Care for School Nurses 

For physical education teachers or others who provide physical activity opportunities: 

Brain Energizers for Classroom Teachers (Ensure Social Distancing)

Physical Education: Assessment Tools & Resources

Introduction into Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP) for Physical Education Teachers

Physical Education: COVID-19 Resources and Considerations

Physical Education: Physical Education: Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Physical Education: Instructional Planning with COVID-19

Incorporating Technology in Health and Physical Education

For classroom teachers:

Brain Energizers for Classroom Teachers (Ensure Social Distancing)

Adult Self-Care 

Supporting Student Social & Emotional Learning During COVID

New! Systemic Approach to Social and Emotional Learning Practices for Adults and Students

For administrators or Safe School Committee members:

School Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Training

To access all of the modules, go to OKConnect and use this guidance to navigate the platform. If you have questions, please contact Shana.Classen@sde.ok.gov, the Director of Health and Physical Education at OSDE or Ianthi Shields, Ianthi.deAlwis-Shields@sde.ok.gov.

Resources

The OSDE believes the work of schools, communities, and the agency should serve the whole child; ensuring all Oklahoma children are safe, healthy, challenged, engaged and supported. With that belief in mind, schools, teachers, and school nurses across Oklahoma can access resources produced through the Project SWITCH in the database below.

Participating Schools

Four partner districts – Crescent, Justice, Tonkawa, and Wetumka – will also receive additional targeted supports, including CDC COVID professional development, guidance on school-based health services, implementation of socially distanced play spaces, training on social-emotional climate, and child nutrition. 

Project Partners

The services provided through Project SWITCH 2.0 would not be possible without the following partnerships: Oklahoma State Department of Health, University of Kansas’ SWIFT Center, School Nurses Organization of Oklahoma (SNOO), University of Central Oklahoma, Wewoka Indian Clinic, OSDE’s Child Nutrition Department, Cooking for Kids, and National Association of School Nurses. Partnering with experts for each focus area will ensure that trainings and resources produced will be beneficial for Oklahoma schools. Thank you to all our project partners!