Kansas City, MO
Overview
Launched in 2007, the Kansas City Metro Project expands PE4life’s reach to schools and organizations throughout the metropolitan area. The metro-wide efforts will ultimately include rural, suburban, private schools and community centers in over 30 districts, however, PE4life’s current focus is on supporting economically disadvantaged school districts through the Kansas City Urban Core Initiative. PE4life’s goal for Kansas City is to become a blueprint for self-sustaining programs in urban areas across the country that improve the health and wellness of youth and instill lifelong healthy habits. Visionary funders of this project include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, the Menorah Legacy Foundation and Bank of America.
The Kansas City Urban Core Initiative is funded by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, with additional support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City and Menorah Legacy Foundation. The KC Urban Core Initiative (UCI) is accelerating positive change within 70 schools in the following six districts: Kansas City, Missouri School District, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, Center School District, Grandview C-4 School District, Hickman Mills C-1 School District and Independence School District. Through this 3-year project, these schools are receiving professional development, ongoing coaching and support and the opportunity to receive Physical Education Equipment Award funds. Additionally, educators have access to subject matter expert services and equipment discounts through PE4life’s consultants and preferred vendor partners.
To date, PE4life has completed the first phase of services to 43 of the 70 schools projected to be served. PE4life has provided District-wide in-services to KCMSD and KCKPS and has presented information and data to District Level administrators at all six districts. PE4life was also invited to present at Center and Kansas City, Kansas School Board meetings during the 2009-2010 school-year. Through initial participation in PE4life introductory workshops and follow up support via site visits, email and phone consultation, UCI participating schools are making progress to implement the PE4Life philosophy. Many of the schools are establishing small incremental changes, such as incorporating small sided games, advocating for daily or every other day PE, and extending PE beyond the gym walls through academic integration (ex: brain breaks, Family Fitness Nights). Some schools have achieved a large amount of success/program improvements in the short time that has passed since attending workshop. Additionally, through this UCI grant project, PE4life recently awarded over $67,000 worth of equipment to the first phase of UCI school participants. This was the first of several rounds of equipment grants that will be awarded through this project.
Kansas City is also the home to the Healthy Schools Partnership, HSP, which is an innovative partnership with the American Council for Fitness & Nutrition and the American Dietetic Association Foundation. HSP is a school-based program that builds upon the PE4life model by integrating nutrition education with physical education in a fun and engaging way. A Registered Dietitian coach and a PE4life instructor work together to introduce nutritional components to students while in class. HSP helps create a wellness culture throughout the school by teaching how activity and diet matters to the wellness of the whole person. Schools that participated in PE4life’s HSP partnership during this grant period included: Lincoln, Woodland, Pitcher, Melcher, ACE and Banneker. Because of the success of this program, PE4life currently has plans to increase the number of school participating during the 2009 – 2010 school year.
Media
Battle of the bulge at Olathe NW High School
OLATHE, Kansas - A new study shows obesity is up 10 percent in U.S. children and double among Kansas teens. A local district is tackling the problem head on.
PE time at Olathe Northwest High School is a time to let loose and have fun. But make no mistake, exercise here is serious business. Electronic gear monitors the kids’ cardio activity. They wear it when they run and then find out if they ran hard enough. Read more.