Thank you to the 40 school districts that attended the PE4life / IBC Adopt-A-School Challenge Summit!
On Monday, April 12th over 150 people representing 40 school districts attended the PE4life / IBC Adopt-A-School Challenge in Des Moines. The day featured guest keynote speaker and nationally renowned physical education activist, Artie Kamiya, and a number of learning opportunities from the area’s leading physical education professionals. The breakout sessions included topics from obtaining funding and community support, quality assessment and feedback tools used in PE and a number of activity sessions targeting fitness-related topics and ideas for maximizing physical activity time. Additionally, 13 equipment vendors showcased their products to the attendees.
The day was highlighted by the introduction to the Adopt-A-School Challenge application process. Through a partnership of PE4life and the Iowa Business Council (IBC), the Challenge seeks to develop an enriched culture of active, healthy lifestyles in elementary and secondary school children through Iowa. This partnership provides select schools the opportunity to directly enhance their physical education programs through professional development, training and ongoing support, and equipment grants. It is the goal of this partnership to provide scholarships to 50 schools who are ready and willing to improve. On hand to show support for the project were representatives from the Iowa Business Council including members from Hy-Vee, Inc., The Wellmark Foundation and Iowa Health Systems.
"The Adopt-A-School Challenge offers an exciting opportunity for unique partnerships between local schools and businesses aimed at improving the health and academic achievement of our most vital resource, the next generation of Iowa youth." - Ric Jurgens, Chairman, CEO & President of Hy-Vee, and member of the IBC.
The IBC is looking for schools who are willing and ready to integrate PE4life’s Core Principles. This integration will begin with a series of training and ongoing professional development to existing faculty as to best serve each individual school. The Adopt-A-School program will provide each participating school with the initial PE4life introductory workshop, two years of ongoing professional development support (including appropriate PE4life Partner programming), and equipment grants, all aligned toward making measureable progress toward the integration of PE4life and towards reaching the desired state the school identifies. This may result in $45,000 worth of services, including up to $10,000 in equipment, depending on the unique needs and goals of the individual school or district.
"The objective of the PE4life Adopt-A-School Challenge is to help Iowa become the healthiest state in the country, and one way of doing so is to directly address the epidemic of overweight and obese children." - Mel Haught, Immediate Past Chair of the Iowa Business Council and former President and CEO of Pella Corporation (retired)
Schools attending the Summit are eligible to apply for the scholarship. To receive an application, email info@pe4life.org.
Downloadable presentations:
Money, Money, Money… No Money!, Diane DeLozier Lahr and Ann Griffin
Handout PowerPoint
Got Sweat?, Tom Spalla
Handout
Maximizing PE Time, Nicole Weis
Booklet
Let’s Help Physical Education Finish Strong, Artie Kamiya
PowerPoint
Quality Assessments and Feedback Tools, Jen Neubauer
This day was made possible by funding from The US Department of Education and the Century Council and through continued support by Senator Tom Harkin.
Media
Mark Yontz Hired as PE4life Iowa Regional Project Manager
Kansas City, MO – July 16, 2010 – PE4life is pleased to announce that Mark Yontz has been hired to serve in the role of Iowa Regional Project Manager. Mark has nearly 20 years of professional experience, with a particular focus on marketing and communications-related positions in a variety of industries. His substantial knowledge combined with his concern for the health and well-being of children in this country make Mark and this position a seamless fit. Read press release. Get to know Mark - read A Closer Look: Mark Yontz from the Des Moines Business Record.
Childhood Obesity in Iowa
Iowa Public Television just aired a story about childhood obesity in Iowa and what the Grundy Center’s PE4life Academy Training Center is doing to combat the problem. Watch the story.
Not Your Typical Gym Class...
GRUNDY CENTER - One small town in eastern Iowa is leading the way in improving physical education classes. "We’re giving students the opportunity here not only learning the systems of the body and being active but also how to get along and problem solve," said Rick Schupbach, PE4life co-director.
Fight fat in P.E. class, says U.S. official from Iowa
Q: P.E. has been pushed to the backburner in many schools, which face pressure to boost math and reading scores. How do you change that?
A: We’re seeing some unintended consequences where schools are counting the time that kids walk between classes as physical activity and using that as an excuse to cut physical education. That is completely wrong. We know that physical education can be an integral part of the school day. So it’s a matter of principals and superintendents understanding the importance. Read more of the interview with Shellie Pfohl, head the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Jefferson School selected as one of four PE4life Model Schools
Jefferson Intermediate School is pleased to announce it has been selected as one of four pilot schools in the state of Iowa to implement the Healthy Schools Partnership (HSP), to help promote healthy eating and increased physical activity among our schoolchildren. The Healthy Schools Partnership is the first of its kind school-based program that combines practical nutrition education with quality physical education to create a curriculum that promotes health and wellness learning by teaching students about energy balance-balancing the calories they consume with calories they burn through their daily activity and play. Read more.
Iowa is on the Move to Become the Healthiest State!
Christie Vilsack tours PE4life Model Site Hanawalt Elementary
(Kansas City, MO) April 23, 2010 – Iowa stakeholders have ambition to become the healthiest state in the country and they’re enlisting support and gaining attention in their momentum. As part of regional expansion efforts, a PE4life Summit was held last week in Des Moines, with the support of the Iowa Business Council and the Department of Education. Read more.
Can Iowa raise the fitness bar with business-sponsored school program?
The title may not fit now, Iowa, but hold it up for size: the healthiest state in the nation. Read more.
Building a better
Lakewood Elementary School fourth-grader Clayton Hildreth used to walk right past the green beans at lunchtime and grab himself a sweet snack instead.
But last week Hildreth, 10, of Norwalk chose green beans. He has a newfound interest in “high power” health foods like grapes and carrots, spurred by a program called the Healthy Schools Partnership.
“I used to barely pick any vegetables,” Hildreth said. “So I would pick, like, a cookie. But now I eat fruits and vegetables and it tastes as good.” Read more.
Every School Every Thursday - Des Moines South
Hanawalt
As a part of PE4Life and Healthy School Project, registered dietitians having been working with fourth-graders on the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables, getting our bodies moving, and making healthy choices. The dietitians have decorated the cafeteria with fruit and vegetable balloons. Students are also learning how to make healthy after-school snacks.
U.S. Rep. Boswell: Brings state education leaders to tour Grundy Center physical education department
Grundy Center, Ia. – Congressman Leonard Boswell led a group of Iowa education leaders in a visit to Grundy Center schools this week to learn about the district’s cutting-edge physical education program that they have implemented in their elementary and secondary education schools. Read more.
Bounds beyond dodgeball
Lakewood Elementary School in Norwalk was selected as one of four Iowa schools to take part in an initiative aimed at changing the perception of physical education and improving the quality of wellness for all students. Lakewood students will participate in PE4life - a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting wellness through fun and interactive physical activity in school and community settings. Read more.
PE4life and the Iowa Business Council to host Summit in Des Moines on April 12th
(Kansas City, MO) March 30, 2010 – PE4life and the Iowa Business Council have come together to host a free Summit on April 12th at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. Over 100 school professionals are expected to attend the event where they’ll gain insight into the Adopt-A-School Challenge; learn how to apply for a scholarship; learn about PE4life’s Core Principles; attend breakout sessions and visit with top equipment vendors. Read press release.