Healthful Living Update
This month the updates offers a lot of opportunities, please be sure to scroll through the entire document.
March Observances
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National Nutrition Month
An annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.
This year's theme is "Discover the Power of Nutrition." Nutrition has the power to help individuals and communities thrive. Discover how food and beverage choices can help power your day. Learn tips for accessing healthy foods in your area. And build healthy habits into your day to help you feel great now and in the future.
Check out the materials and resources.
National PE Institute
 July 23 - 24, 2026
UNC-Asheville
Sherrill Center
227 Campus Drive
Asheville, North Carolina 28804
The National PE Institute has long been recognized as one of Physical Education’s most celebrated professional events. As in the past, we are honored to host a number of “Gold Star” keynoters, presenters, supporters & participants.
Earn up to 30 contact hours
Recorded Whova Breakout Sessions: Because you can’t be in two places at once, we’re providing video recordings via the Whova app. These will be available for a 30-day period following the Institute and count towards your overall CEU Credit.
Information Flyer/Housing
Registration
New Learning Session on AI Tools and Usage for Health and Physical Education
SHAPE America is pleased to share upcoming dates for our Wellness Committee Spotlights, a learning series designed for school and district wellness committee members.
Hosted by SHAPE America’s Wellness Committee Champions Learning Community, each one-hour learning session offers a space for individuals supporting school and district wellness committees to:
• Hear from experts in the field
• Share your own experiences and insights to support peers
• Build connections with fellow wellness advocates across the country
These interactive sessions are a chance to learn, collaborate, and strengthen efforts to enhance student health and wellbeing.
The Spotlight Sessions will feature guest speakers, relationship building, and peer-sharing on topics decided on by members of the Wellness Committee Champions Learning Community. Sessions will be on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 3 – 4 p.m. EST.
We are excited to share more about the upcoming session of the Wellness Committee Spotlight, along with additional Spring dates. Future topics are yet to be announced, but you can register for sessions and receive updates.
March Wellness Spotlight
Tuesday, March 10 | 3:00-4:00 PM EST
April Wellness Spotlight
Tuesday, April 14 | 3:00-4:00 PM EST
May Wellness Spotlight
Tuesday, May 12 | 3:00-4:00 PM EST
New Star Wars Channel
GoNoodle’s NEW STAR WARS channel is the place for classrooms to pause, breathe, and find balance with one of their favorite STAR WARS characters.
Start with our newest video, Balanced Breathing with Grogu, where students practice focused breathing techniques to help:
- Regulate big emotions
- Reset after transitions
- Refocus their minds and bodies
Because when kids feel balanced, learning feels easier and the whole room benefits.
Balanced Breathing with Grogu
Activity Sheet
Create Healthy Habits
Healthy Habits is designed for classroom and physical education teachers to work together. Healthy Habits empowers students to build skills and routines that support being active and healthy for a lifetime.
Healthy Habits Grades K-2 Module
Tools for Learning Jump Rope
Intermediate (3-5) Module
Tools for Learning Basketball Skills
Intermediate (3-5) Module
11 Principles of Character Education: Building School Cultures Where Every Student Thrives
March 25, 2026
Join NCDPI for a full-day, interactive professional development session designed to help schools learn how to use the 11 Principles to create a culture of character in their classrooms, schools, and districts. This session will introduce a wide range of approaches, strategies, and practices that school leaders can implement immediately to transform their school climate and culture. Whether your school is beginning its journey or seeking to deepen its implementation, this workshop will provide:
- A clear overview of each principle
- Examples from NC Schools of Character
- Practical strategies for improving school culture
- Tools for assessing progress and gathering evidence
- Support for completing the School of Character Application
Registration Flyer
Registration Form
 Featured Blog - Growing Strong: Helping Children Thrive Using the 8 Dimensions of Wellness
Virginia Johnson
Substance Use Prevention Senior Director
Jessica Fowler, MS, CPS
MindWELL Associate Director
As parents and caregivers, we want children to grow into healthy, confident, and resilient adults. One of the most powerful gifts adults can give children is the tools they need to increase their resilience and wellness.
Explore the 8 Dimensions of Wellness
Save the Date
 The Healthful Living Consultant at the NC Department of Public Instruction makes every effort to provide relevant, timely information to stakeholders collected from numerous state and national sources. The inclusion of items in this update does not imply the endorsement of this agency.
To contact Burt Jenkins NCDPI Healthful Living Consultant
burt.jenkins@dpi.nc.gov
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