MAHPERD
Newsletter - September 2026
MAHPERD
Email: shapemichigandirector@gmail.com
Website: MAHPERD.net
Phone: 269-521-7871
Facebook: facebook.com/Michigan Association For Health, Recreation, & Dance
Intstagram: MAHPERD
MAHPERD Newsletter
WELCOME FROM MAHPERD
99 years of service! Did you know that MAHPERD is in year 99 of being the professional organization for Physical and Health Educators in the the State of Michigan! Known as SHAPE Michigan for a few years, this organization has taken an important step forward by changing its name back to MAHPERD — the Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
This change reflects a renewed commitment to representing the full scope of professionals who support healthy, active lifestyles across Michigan.
If you have items to submit for the monthly newsletter, please let us know. Please send us your suggestions, feedback and and comments. MAHPERD continues to provide programs,
products, and services to all Physical Education and Health professionals throughout the year.
Send emails to shapemichigandirector@gmail.com or call 269.521.7871
Thank you for supporting MAHPERD!
Deb Berkey
Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year!
I really hope you had a relaxing summer for we are entering a new age of challenge for the school year. As always, if we take our challenges in context and work to use them to our advantage, we can turn the change into an opportunity as opposed to a burden. If we work together to get authentic information to use in our programs, we can more expediently impact our students.
You may remember the Presidential Proclamation signed on May 5, 2026 to officially restore and revitalize the Presidential Fitness Test Award....
Click below to read more from Executive Director Deb Berkey
Stay connected and stay informed!
MAHPERD members are encouraged to download and subscribe to the MAHPERD Google Calendar to stay up to date on conferences, professional learning opportunities, advocacy events, and important deadlines throughout the year. Subscribing ensures you always have the most current information at your fingertips. Click below to download the calendar here:
SAVE THE DATE!
Family PE Week will be October 5th -9th, 2026!
Get the date on your school calendar and register now at bit.ly/famPE!
Family PE Week is a wonderful opportunity to bring families together through movement and physical activity while highlighting the importance of your program and having a healthy, active lifestyle!
Join Eaton RESA and Gratiot-Isabella RESD for the Sex Ed: Are you in Compliance? virtual series. This seven-part series will offer bite-size, hour-long learning blocks around HIV requirements, sex ed standards, laws, Sex Ed Advisory Boards, and more. This series is for new and veteran Sex Ed Supervisors.
All sessions are virtual from 4-5 pm.
- Sex Ed Advisory Board Membership October 13th
- HIV Requirements November 10th
- 2025 Sex Ed Standards December 8th
- Program Goals and Objectives and Writing the Two-Year Report January 17th
- Curriculum Review and Approval Process February 16th
- Parental Rights March 9th
- FAQ Office Hours April 13th
1 SCECH is available per webinar.
Folks are welcome to attend as many of the sessions as they would like. There is no cost to attend. Register Here.
The importance of keeping your neck healthy.
Your neck is one of the most important support systems in your body because it holds and stabilizes your head all day long. Strong neck muscles help improve posture, balance, movement, and overall body control, especially in a world where many people spend hours looking down at phones, computers, and tablets. A weak neck can contribute to headaches, stiffness, rounded shoulders, fatigue, poor posture, and even upper back pain.
Read more about the importance of proper neck health by clicking the 'button' below:
(Chase Blackmore)
Mark English - Holton Public Schools
Every year at MAHPERD I get refreshed and come back with new activities and ideas that have come in handy and improved the quality of my class year after year. Being a member is a great way to keep in contact with old friends and cohorts. Most years, the convention falls on my birthday and is a great way to celebrate! Most importantly, being a MAHPERD member unites us as one to make sure that we are never pushed aside as a second class subject.
Josh Boutwell - Gratiot-Isabella RESD
Being a member of MAHPERD has been an integral part of my professional career. It has helped me understand and grow as a professional every year of my membership dating back to 2006. In addition, being an active member is SO important. Presenting locally, at the state and even the national level has broadened my skills and network as a precessional educator.
Kristin Parkison-Olmsted - Northwest Community Schools
Being involved in the state physical education organization - MAHPERD - is important because the membership provides valuable resources, strengthens teaching practices, and enhances curriculum through shared ideas and collaboration. Additionally, being a member also allows educators to build relationships, form friendships, reconnect with colleagues, and advocate at the state level for quality physical education and healthy lifestyles for all students. It's FUN!
Best Practices in Physical Education!
n August 19th, at Bangor High School, MAHPERD hosted Best Practices in Physical Education, a professional learning event focused on sharing effective strategies and resources. Mary Driemeyer, an OPEN Trainer, led the session and shared valuable best practices and resources to support quality Physical Education instruction. Deb Berkey also presented on CSPAP (Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program) and provided important information about the upcoming Presidential Fitness testing. The event offered educators practical ideas, resources, and updates to support student fitness and physical activity.
