growing a new generation CATCH By Choice! 

CATCH By Choice! showcases how Travis County Elementary Schools promote healthy living, healthier food choices, and increased opportunities for students to be physically active. 

Targeting TEKS & TAKS

October 2007  Issue 1 

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The Work Out Word Wall is her brainstorm to help comply with the mandated 135 minutes of weekly physical activity. The new words added are punctuated with activity. Verbs get jumping jacks, “noun and up” toe touches, and letters get lunges. It also increased student interest in vocabulary.

Her Exer-Scientists tend to one of the many Maplewood grade level gardens. Reinforcing that gardening is a viable physical activity, students Grow the GO! “The best part is they get to eat what they grow. It makes a huge difference in how they view food, their health and their choices.”

He Said It…..Mr. Herman Whitney • 21st Century Program Specialist, Pecan Springs Elementary

“I am ready – it sounds like you are too. Let’s rock this place and make a difference with the community.”

Ms. Dora Romero—2nd Grade Maplewood Elementary School, Austin ISD

CATCH It Inside

Mission Nutrition Yadira Pchardo

Copperfield Elementary 2

Ms. Veronica Mata CATCH Champion

Del Valle Elementary 2

It Matters In Manor MISD CATCH In Action

District Wellness Celebration 3

Ms. Kim Placker Principal

Sunset Valley Elementary 3

Community Health Heroes Anabel Martinez

Creedmoor Elementary 4

Ms. Janice Swope CATCH Champion

Pflugerville Elementary 4

Alive with learning! Walk in Ms. Dora Romero’s 2nd grade class and you will see math in motion, a Work Out Word Wall on one side of the room and students transformed into “Exer-Scientists.” “We can’t get away from feeling swamped with TEKS and TAKS,” Ms. Romero points out, “so why not have some fun with it? CATCH lessons are convenient, useful, and kids love them.”

Don’t throw milk cartons away! They are perfect math manipulatives. “Numerical fluency is a strong focus in our classroom,” she explains. “Milk cartons are a perfect tool to calculate fat grams, serving sizes and other things that reinforce math concepts.” Besides, milk does a body good.

“We can’t get away from

feeling swamped with TEKS and TAKS, so why not have some

fun with it?”

CATCH By Choice! 

It’s 5:30 in the morning. Most folks struggle to get out of bed. But for Ms. Yadira Pchardo, it’s business as usual—just preparing two meals a day for her 600 plus Copperfield Elementary School students. “Y” as she is known to most, constantly talks with her staff about the essential role her program plays in improving the overall health and wellness of Copperfield students. “Kids care about it (eating healthy),” she shares. “Some have said they’re not going to eat at McDonald’s anymore because it is a ‘big whoa’.”

“Our entire cafeteria staff

understands the importance of

what our program must do to help our

kids!”

2 October 2007 Issue 1 

Mission Nutrition

Yadira Pchardo—Cafeteria Manager Copperfield Elementary, Pflugerville ISD

Promotion and modeling are key. A weekly Veggie Day encourages and awards kids for trying a new vegetable. “I eat healthier, “ she proudly notes. She collaborates with classroom teachers to coordinate the language of CATCH. She took it upon herself to create Go, Slow, & Whoa markers for the cafeteria line. She sees kids CATCHing on to the Go, Slow, & Whoa concept. “The kids ask how much exercise they would have to do for eating a Slow or Whoa Food.” Y sees firsthand the real difference CATCH makes in her own family. Both her children attend Copperfield. They are more involved in shopping at the grocery store and reading food labels. Now, eating healthy is not only a school effort, but a family one as well. And nobody asks “Y not?!”

We Heard Her…..Ms. Veronica Mata • CATCH Champion, Del Valle Elementary

“Our 6th grade team was inspired. They were planning to have a pizza party for the students who have their parents come to meet with their teacher during conference day. They have changed their plan to a turkey dog and carrot party. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Adam Rawls—CATCH Champion

Manor Elementary

CATCH What’s on the Grill

Project Mustang Cooking Class

CATCH By Choice!  3 October 2007 Issue 1 

It Matters in Manor

Nobody knows the value of teamwork better than Becky Rivera, Director of Student & Family Support Services. “I sure hope NUTS are GO Food!” laughs Becky. “Because I sure work with a lot of them! Take one look at her team and it’s not hard to argue! (For the record Becky, nuts are a Slow Food!)

But, there is “NUT-thing” slow about what the collaboative effort of Manor ISD’s Food

Services, Health Services, and Family Services departments accomplish. They may be nuts, but the plans they have for the health and wellness of the Manor ISD community is visionary. “It has to be done.” explains Cindy Cobia, “We don’t have a choice when it is a matter of what is best for our children’s health.”

“We are committed to teamwork.” explains Becky. “It doesn’t feel like such a big effort when everyone is willing to pitch in a little.” This attitude was on display at the recent Manor ISD

CATCH In Action! Wellness Celebration held on Saturday, October 5th. The event showcased Manor elementary schools and their commitment to helping children adopt healthier lifestyles. Food Services, Health Services, Facilities, and Student & Family Services collaborated with one another, shared resources and gathered community partners to make the event a tremendous success.

“Our district is on a Journey to Excellence,” Jerretta Jimmerson points out, “We need to look good when we get there!” Pecans, cashews, almonds, macadamia and walnuts move aside, Manor is stepping through!

“It doesn’t feel like such a big

effort when everyone is

willing to pitch in a little!”

Top Row: Sherri Hooker, Becky Rivera, Julie Ann Herrera, Jerretta Jimmerson

Bottom Row: Cindy Cobia, Henry Cuellar, Virginia Badaoui

Manor ISD Health, Student & Family Support Services

“The CATCH program is good for everyone ... the kids, the staff and the parents. It does not take much to implement - you just have to jump in and get started. There are so many small ideas and activities that can make a huge, immediate impact. Thanks!”

And We Quote…..Ms. Kim Placker • Principal, Sunset Valley Elementary

• Pflugerville ISD PFUN LIVING! EXPO • Baty (DVISD) Back To School Bobcat Health Day • Maplewood (AISD) Garden & Wellness Club Work Day • Allison (AISD) CATCH Fest—Parent & Student Wellness Festival • St. Elmo (AISD) Try It Tuesday—Monthly Taste Tests of Different Fruits • Ortega (AISD) Nutritional Cooking Class presented by El Buen Samaritano • Presidential Meadows (MISD) Eagles Cry CATCH Chant—Friday Morning Movement Assembly

CATCH a New Idea Betty Candeleria, Angel Fernandez, Kathy Clark

Baty Elementary CATCH Champions

CATCH By Choice!  4 October 2007 Issue 1 

Community Health Heroes

“You want ideas? How much time do you have?”

Walk into Creedmoor Elementary School and you can tell immediately why Anabel asks this question. The campus commitment to CATCH can be seen everywhere: salads made by hand everyday; sixth grade Salsa Gardens (organic, no less) and salsa for sale as a fund raiser; a counselor getting certified to teach children yoga classes; faculty pedometer pledges; a workout room for teachers and staff….“You need a second to CATCH up?” she teases. I’m too busy writing notes to get the pun.

Help us CATCH a Story!

Ms. Anabel Martinez—Community Liaison

Above—Mr. Romero, Food Service Manager

Creedmoor Elementary School, Del Valle ISD

“We are the conduit to our community. They rely on

us!”

Whatever It Takes…..Ms. Janice Swope • PE Teacher & Vegetable Costume Designer, Pflugerville Elementary

“CATCH is easy to implement. It makes sense to me to have food services, classroom teacher, physical education teacher, and parents working together to empower children to take charge of their health. Having a consistent message about the importance of moving your body and eating healthy helps students understand making healthy choices is a lifestyle for everyone."

“It all started with our Creedmoor Family Fun Night.” Anabel explains. “It was just plain fun!” she says, “We are the conduit to our school community. They rely on us, and everyone comes out!” The event attracted some 500 plus families. Her advice is to get grade levels working together to sponsor a grade level activity. See for yourself at www.del-valle.k12.tx.us/dvisd/Creedmoor/Family%20fun%20night2.htm.

When asked, “how does she knows CATCH is making a difference,” she introduced me to Mr. Romero, the Food Service Manager. He proudly stated, “We feed about 600 kids a day. The district menu offers a fruit and yogurt plate on Wednesdays. We can’t keep enough on the serving line.”

I ask her why she is so passionate about her commitment. to CATCH. She explains that she is a diabetic and has seen first-hand the consequences and cost of poor health. “That is why when you give us the ball we are going to run with it. We are just getting started!” And, I am still taking notes…..

Okay...we know you are not going to brag about yourself. But, how about bragging on your colleague? Somebody you know deserves recognition for the amazing things they do. Please contact us at the 346.6163 or send an email to Joey Walker (joeyloren@mail.utexas.edu); Karen Doramus (karen.m.doramus@uth.tmc.edu); or Jim DeLine (james.r.deline@uth.tmc.edu).