Healthful Living Update
This month the updates offers a lot of opportunities, please be sure to scroll through the entire document.
Burt Jenkins Healthful Living Consultant to Retire May 1st.
After serving as the Healthful Living Consultant for the past 13 years, I will be retiring May 1st. Many changes and historical moments have taking place during our time together, from CPR becoming a graduation requirement to teaching Health and Physical Education in a separate setting during COVID to our new standards. Your willingness and ability to adapt while providing quality instruction regardless of the situation has been remarkable. It has been my honor to serve with the best teachers in the State of NC.
A search will take place for my replacement with an application link and timeline shared with you through this list serv.
May is Mental Health Month
Free 988 Print Materials
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, recognized since 1949 to raise awareness, reduce stigma and provide support for mental health conditions. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is offering free 988 print materials to help you share this important message with your community throughout May.
Your order will include posters, flyers, rack cards, and wallet cards in both English and Spanish.
Please place your order by April 15, 2026, to ensure delivery by late April, so you can distribute materials in your community during Mental Health Awareness Month.
To order your materials, please fill out this print materials order form by April 15, 2026.
 Bike & Roll to School Day is May 6!
National Bike & Roll to School Day is Wednesday, May 6, 2026, and registration at www.walkbiketoschool.org is now open. While May 6 is this year’s official date, communities are welcome to celebrate any day in May – and any way -- that best fits their schedules and local needs.
Bike & Roll to School Day invites participants to celebrate the joys of active commuting while building a sense of community, safety, and school spirit. An event can be as informal as a few families arranging to ride or walk to school together, or a big, splashy event with a program of activities and special guests.
How will you build YOUR Bike & Roll to School Day? Here are 20 event ideas to get you started. Also, check out the bike bus guide, which offers guidance on launching and running a bike bus – a great way to celebrate Bike & Roll to School Day!
Over 40 schools in North Carolina have already signed up! Will your school join them?
Need more information contact:
Jennifer Delcourt
Statewide Planner & Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Integrated Mobility Division
NC Department of Transportation
jadelcourt@ncdot.gov
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.
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 Resource for Middle and High Schools: Tier 1, Evidence-Based Mental Health Literacy Programming
Mental Health Collaborative is a nonprofit organization providing evidence-based, Tier 1 mental health literacy programs nationally to school communities, including educators, students, athletic coaches, and parents and caregivers.
These prevention-focused programs are proven to strengthen school connectedness, reduce stigma, and build a shared understanding of mental health across the school setting. Participants gain the knowledge and tools to recognize early signs of mental health challenges and mental illnesses and learn when and how to seek support.
Programs are flexible and sustainable, offering options for direct implementation or a train-the-trainer model to support long-term integration within existing school systems.
To learn more about bringing programs to your district including the cost, email info@mentalhealthcollaborative.org or visit the website. Program overview for schools and flyers are linked here.
Spring fever? We've got the cure!
Whether you're racing toward spring break or trying to regain control after spring break, one thing is certain - more sunlight and warmer weather = students with serious spring fever.
When the wiggles hit - GoNoodle is here to help!
Bring the energy up with dance and movement videos, or bring the energy down with breathing and mindfulness videos to help your class reset and refocus.
Teacher Tip! Press Play on GoNoodle when:
- Your class gets wiggly
- Transitions get wild
- Indoor recess is a must-have
- You need a brain break
- Your class needs help calming and refocusing
Looking for an academic connection too? Don’t forget to check out our always-free downloadable activities that pair with select videos so students can move and learn.
Shake Off Spring Fever / Weekly Planner
New Golf Module
Time to hit the green grade 3 - 5
Looking for a fresh way to engage your students while building coordination, focus, and lifelong skills? The new Golf module for grades 3–5 brings the fundamentals of golf into your PE classroom in a fun, accessible way, no prior experience required.
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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