ACS CAN Praises Mayor de Blasio on Strong Support for Physical Education

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Name: Marc Kaplan

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

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American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network:

Statement on New York City Budget

Praises Mayor de Blasio on Strong Support for Physical Education

NEW YORK, NY - April 26, 2016 – Today Mayor Bill de Blasio has released additional portions of his FY 2017 executive budget.  In this package he has allocated $9 million to help ensure that every New York City elementary school complies with the New York State Education Department physical education (PE) mandate. This will increase to $40 million in FY 2019.

 Michael Davoli, New York metro government relations director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released the following statement.

 “ACS CAN applauds Mayor Bill de Blasio for continuing to aggressively address the important public health issue of physical education in schools.

 “Quality physical education, offered consistently to New York City students can have a tremendous impact on their health and well-being. 

“Unfortunately, based upon numerous studies, for more than a decade most city schools have not offered quality physical education to their students. Despite state laws that outline standards for instructional time and frequency, appropriate space and the use of credentialed personnel, schools continue to struggle with compliance. Quality, consistent physical education is not optional. It is a right for every student, regardless of neighborhood. By equalizing access to appropriate physical education, our city can take another important step forward in the battle against health inequities and efforts to reduce suffering and death from cancer.

“Last year, the administration took a huge step forward in addressing this inequality by creating the PE Works initiative, providing $6.6 million to support its establishment. PE Works was intended to target elementary schools in just 8 high-needs school districts and fund a system-wide analysis of PE barriers and needs. Early indications from the NYC Department of Education Office of School Wellness Programs, which has been guiding the PE Works implementation, have been positive. 

 “Today’s powerful announcement as part of the budget package shows us loudly and clearly that New York cares about the health of our 1.1 million school kids. Thank you Mayor de Blasio.”