Iowa Schools Battle Childhood Obesity

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. This article features how some Iowa Schools are facing this battle.

Physical education programs adapt in the face of increased child obesity
by Patrick Hogan

Sweat formed on the face of Quinten Lamb, 14, as he pedalled a floating bicycle above a grassy landscape, trying to catch a red dragon in the distance.

His pursuit briefly was interrupted by Steve Fish, a physical education instructor at Marion High School, who came by to check on the freshman’s progress on the video game exercise bike.

“Remember, 10 minutes, then get on the treadmill,” Fish said before moving on to another student in late August in the school’s new basement fitness room.

Marion’s new facility of cutting-edge exercise machines is just one example of new approaches local high schools are taking to combat child obesity.

Obesity in children nationwide has risen steadily since the early 1970s for all age groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Body mass index tests of students for 2010 found that 32 percent of kindergartners and 37 percent of fifth-graders in the Cedar Rapids school district were overweight or obese, according to district wellness coordinator Grant Schultz.

In Marion, a study school officials did two years ago showed 19 percent of fourth-graders, 59 percent of eighth-graders and 33 percent of high school juniors overweight. The study additionally showed 14 percent of fourth-graders, 28 percent of eighth-graders and 23 percent of high school juniors as being obese.

A fitness report for this year is being prepared.

During his 18 years as a physical educator, Fish has seen obesity become more of an issue with his students, particularly his current 9th grade classes.

“They’re very nice kids, but I think a third of them are at risk from a weight standpoint,” Fish said. “If those were kids at risk for reading and writing, there would be alarms going off.”

Continue Reading full article as featured in the Gazette Online here.

Steve Fish, physical education teacher and Carol M. White PEP Grant Winner in Marion, Iowa will be presenting at the PE4life Resource Conference, October 4-5 in Overland Park, Kansas.

Photo by Liz Martin/The Gazette

YES, YOU CAN come to the PE4life Resource Conference!

Want to attend the PE4life Resource Conference?

Not enough money in your school budget?

Administration won’t allow for time off?

We know times are tough. Schools are facing small to non-existing budgets and some schools are even closing their doors. No surprise that PE continues to take hits – and now professional development opportunities are squelched.

Don’t fret! There are things working in our favor. Childhood obesity is a HOT topic! Everyone, including the First Lady, is jumping on the childhood obesity bandwagon. Brain Research – linking physical activity to academic achievement – is continually evolving and validating our jobs. We’ve all known the value of quality physical education for some time and now it seems that others are finally starting to get it! Take advantage of this – these trending topics can be used to help get you to the PE4life Resource Conference!

Wait, there’s more good news – people actually want to help! Local businesses, foundations and concerned citizens are all looking for ways to contribute. Sponsoring your attendance at the PE4life Resource Conference is a perfect way to do so. We’ve compiled some basic information to help get you there.

When approaching a potential sponsor, whether in writing, over the phone or in person – use the following information to state your best case for needing support and how you plan to use their support to make a difference.

What Attendees Receive:
Attendees of the PE4life Resource Conference will receive two full days of professional development and learning opportunities from nationally-renowned industry leaders who get programmatic results. Speakers at the PE4life Resource Conference have quality, cutting edge programs who see positive impacts in students’ physical health and improvements in student learning. Participants at PE4life events are forward thinking and ready to embrace a new way of teaching physical education. This event is a networking and brainstorming opportunity for like-minded professionals. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with equipment and program vendors who offer quality, innovative and technologically advanced equipment at discounted prices for event participants.

A list of breakout sessions can be found here. Consider mentioning those that may appeal to a particular funder.

What will the Sponsor Receive:
Your sponsor will want recognition for supporting your school/program and for being a good corporate citizen. They will also want to know that their money is going to go towards something that will make an impact.

• Be sure to alert your local media/newspaper of the champion sponsor and their commitment to bettering your program.
• Invite the Sponsor to see your program in action upon returning from the event (take pictures and inform the media)!
• Share your success story with us so we can give them a shout out on our website, blog or through Social Media!

Funding Needed:
Consider the cost of registration fees, travel (airline, local transportation, hotel, meals) and substitute teacher fees.

Who to approach:
Think of those in your community who share an interest and/or have a stake in the health and wellness of children. If you don’t have a personal contact, ask for someone in the Community Relations, Government Affairs or Marketing departments.

• Community members / Businesses / Large employers (especially those whose employees’ children attend your school)
• Local Hospitals
• Fitness Centers
• Local Insurance Agencies
• School Vendors for food, sports equipment, etc.
• Sporting Good Stores
• Civic Organizations
• Alumni or Booster Groups
• Grocery Stores
• Foundations – local or regional business or family foundations

** Don’t forget: Your attendance at the PE4life Resource Conference can be covered in full by PEP Grant funds! **

Additional details to enhance your proposal:

• What are you hoping to accomplish by attending the PE4life Resource Conference?
• What do you plan to do with the information you receive at the Resource Conference?
• Have you attended a PE4life event before? If so, what did you take away from it?

Once you’ve secured your funding, don’t forget these important follow up steps!

• Register for the event!
• Alert your local media and tell them who are Champions for physical education!
• Share your success with us! We want to know how you did it and your lessons learned.)
• Tell us who is supporting physical education in your area. We want to give them a shout out!

Good luck! We hope to see you in October!

PE4life Resource Conference
October 4-5, 2010
Overland Park, Kansas

Resource Conference - PEP Grant Related Topics Announced

The PE4life Resource Conference (formerly known as the PEP Grant Resource Conference) is an annual event that highlights current and past PEP Grant winners – their successes AND lessons learned. Don’t miss this opportunity to network and learn from those who have been there and done that. This event is designed to not only help you navigate your way through this incredible PEP opportunity, but to provide information to help spend your money well, get real results AND sustain your program after PEP funding concludes.

Check out these PEP-related Breakout Sessions (with more in the works!):

PEP Grant: Catalyst for Change - This session will provide first-hand experience with overseeing a 3 year 1.1 million dollar PEP Grant in Millcreek Township School District, Erie, Pennsylvania. In order for you to make most of your funding, this program will discuss areas the PEP Grant can influence. These areas include staff preparation, handling vendors, purchasing equipment, developing curriculum, utilizing technology, assessment, data collection, staff wellness, and advocacy for physical education programs. When you leave this session you would have a better understanding on how to utilize your funds to their fullest.

Regular Joes: A PEP Success Story - Intimidated by the PEP process? A couple of “Regular Joes” from Marion (IA) Independent School District decided to tackle the PEP Grant. Spending most their time in survival mode, they stumbled upon the Carol M. White PEP Grant and asked themselves “Why not us?” After an initial unsuccessful attempt, they applied again in 2008 and won! Listen as these “Regular Joes” discuss their successes and barriers as they implement their PEP funds and develop a program inspired by the PE4life model that is “Focused on Fitness.” Their session includes discussion on staff professional development, development of student’s personal fitness plans, efforts to change school policy, school-community collaboration and overcoming obstacles.

Grants: How, What, Where, Who Qualifies, and How to Write - Want to write a grant for your physical education program and don’t know where to start? Listen as a successful grant writer (grants including Carol M. White PEP Grant and the No Child Left Inside Grant) discusses key components of grant writing: 1.) grant writing specific to physical education/health/recreation, and 2.) the process of searching for grants applicable to physical education/health/recreation. This informative and interactive session will give you a better understanding of grant writing.

A plethora of additional PEP Grant winners will be on hand presenting on these topics:

• Creating a Blueprint for Systemic, Sustainable Change
• Show-Me the Results: A System for Data-Management and Accountability
• Now That’s Using Your Noodle
• Raising the Bar: “Be the change you want to see”
• Creating a Climate for Success – Elementary Focus
• Additional sessions listed here.

The PE4life Resource Conference is October 4-5, 2010 in Overland Park, KS.

IMPORTANT!! Be sure to include your attendance to the PE4life Resource Conference in your PEP budget. For help calculating the cost for event attendance and travel, and to learn more about the event, go here.