PPS Health and Adapted/Physical Education

Celebrating Lifelong Wellness

Health and Physical Education are both strongly linked to the increased academic success of youth. A young person's ability to learn is also linked to their ability to feel safe in the classroom, relate to lessons, and have fun.

PPS Health, Adapted Physical Education and Physical Education programs use evidence-informed best practices to foster safe, supportive and fun learning environments that engage diverse students in their development of skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to thrive academically, and to celebrate lifelong wellness.

Our Vision & Mission
Vision:

Engage all students in equitable, inclusive skills-based health and adapted/physical education so they may become confident, resilient, and empathetic advocates for themselves and others.

Mission:

All PPS students will participate in innovative, inclusive, Health and Adapted/Physical Education in a safer and more supportive environment. PPS Health and Physical Education will:
- Support teachers with authentic skills-based health and adapted/physical education professional development opportunities,
- Facilitate the curation and development of culturally relevant and responsive, inclusive and medically accurate evidence-informed curriculum across all disciplines,
- Engage the collective community by including students, families/households, community partners and government entities to postitively impacting their child's education and well-being.

Quick Access
- Health Education K-12
  - Virtual K-12 Health Scope and Sequence (for parents/community)
- Adapted / Physical Education K-12
- Community Resources

Dr. Jenny Withycombe's Bio

Dr. Jenny Lind Withycombe, Program Administrator for Health and Adapted/Physical Education in Portland Public Schools (PPS), has over 25 years of experience within the field of health, physical education, and PK-12 instruction.

Dr. Withycombe is responsible for ensuring quality, inclusive, Health and Adapted/Physical Education implementation in a safe and supportive environment for all 50,000 PPS students PK-12. She has brought over $5.5 million in grants between 2017-2021 to support health and physical education in PPS.

Current Service to the District/Profession
• Playspace Guiding Coalition, Portland Public Schools, 2021-Present
• SHAPE America Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, 2020-Present
• USRowing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, 2020-Present
• School Health Advisory Council Planning Team, 2019-Present
• Urban Wellness Coalition, Action for Health Kids, 2016-Present
• Adolescents and Communities Together, Educational Subgroup, 2016-Present
• Family Violence Coordinating Council, Prevention Subgroup, 2016-Present
• Wellness Advisory Council, Coordinator, 2016-Present
• PPS Erg Ed Program, Director, 2016-Present

Dr. Withycombe is a competitive Master’s Rower and Women’s Team Captain for Willamette Rowing Club. She has over 100 medals earned throughout her 20+ years of rowing. Her most special gold came from stroking the 2013 Head of the Charles Mixed Quad. Dr. Withycombe lives in Portland, OR with her husband, two daughters, boxers, cat, and bearded dragons.