This document summarizes various initiatives and programs across multiple elementary schools that are promoting healthy living and nutrition for students. It highlights how teachers are integrating physical activity and healthy eating lessons into their curriculum. It also profiles nutrition staff who are working to offer healthier cafeteria options and educate students on nutrition. The schools are seeing positive impacts on students' health and food choices from implementing these CATCH programs.

1. CATCH By Choice!
growing a new generation
CATCH By Choice! showcases how Travis County Elementary Schools promote healthy living,
healthier food choices, and increased opportunities for students to be physically active.
October 2007
Issue 1
Targeting TEKS & TAKS
Alive with learning! Walk in Ms. Dora Romero’s 2nd
Coordinated Approach To Child Health
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, Ms. Dora
Maplew Romero
ood Ele —2nd G
and kids love them.” mentary rade
School,
Austin ISD
“We can’t get Don’t throw milk cartons away!
They are perfect math
away from manipulatives. “Numerical fluency
feeling swamped is a strong focus in our CATCH It Inside
classroom,” she explains. “Milk
with TEKS and Mission Nutrition
Yadira Pchardo
2
cartons are a perfect tool to
TAKS, so why calculate fat grams, serving sizes
Copperfield Elementary
not have some and other things that reinforce Ms. Veronica Mata
CATCH Champion
2
math concepts.” Besides, milk
fun with it?” Del Valle Elementary
does a body good.
It Matters In Manor 3
The Work Out Word Wall is her brainstorm to help comply with MISD CATCH In Action
District Wellness Celebration
the mandated 135 minutes of weekly physical activity. The new
words added are punctuated with activity. Verbs get jumping jacks, Ms. Kim Placker 3
Principal
“noun and up” toe touches, and letters get lunges. It also Sunset Valley Elementary
increased student interest in vocabulary.
Community Health Heroes 4
Anabel Martinez
Her Exer-Scientists tend to one of the many Maplewood grade Creedmoor Elementary
level gardens. Reinforcing that gardening is a viable physical Ms. Janice Swope
activity, students Grow the GO! “The best part is they get to eat 4
CATCH Champion
what they grow. It makes a huge difference in how they view food, Pflugerville Elementary
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.”

2. CATCH By Choice! 2
October 2007 Issue 1
Mission Nutrition
It’s 5:30 in the morning. Most
folks struggle to get out of bed. “Our entire
But for Ms. Yadira Pchardo, it’s cafeteria staff
business as usual—just
preparing two meals a day for
understands the
her 600 plus Copperfield importance of
Elementary School students. what our
“Y” as she is known to most,
program must
constantly talks with her staff do to help our
about the essential role her kids!”
program plays in improving the
Yadira P
chardo—
overall health and wellness of
Copperf Cafeteri Copperfield students. “Kids care about it (eating healthy),”
ield Elem a Manag
entary, P er
flugervil she shares. “Some have said they’re not going to eat at
le ISD
McDonald’s anymore because it is a ‘big whoa’.”
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 n
Champio
labels. Now, eating healthy is not only a school effort, but a CATCH
Adam Rawls— ry
lementa
family one as well. And nobody asks “Y not?!” Manor E e Grill
at’s on th
CA TC H Wh oking C
lass
tang Co
Project Mus
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

3. 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,
“It doesn’t feel and Family Services Top Row
: Sherri
Hooker,
departments accomplish. Bottom Becky R
like such a big They may be nuts, but the Row: Cin
Manor IS dy Cobia
ivera, Ju
lie Ann H
errera, J
D Health , Henry erretta J
Cuellar,
effort when plans they have for the , Studen
t & Fam Virginia
ily Supp Badaou
i
immerso
n
health and wellness of the Manor ISD community is ort Serv
everyone is visionary. “It has to be done.” explains Cindy Cobia, “We don’t have a ices
willing to pitch choice when it is a matter of what is best for our children’s health.”
in a little!” “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!
And We Quote…..Ms. Kim Placker
• Principal, Sunset Valley Elementary
“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 rk
athy Cla
a huge, immediate impact. Thanks!” andez, K
n gel Fern ,A n s pio
ndeleria H Cham
Betty Ca ry CATC
Baty Elementa
CATCH a New Idea
• 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

4. 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 “We are the
Salsa Gardens (organic, no
less) and salsa for sale as a conduit to our
fund raiser; a counselor getting community.
ison
ity Lia certified to teach children yoga
—Co mmu n Mana
ger They rely on
rtinez o d Se
rvice D classes; faculty pedometer
nab el Ma o, Fo alle IS
Ms. A omer De l V us!”
.R Sc hool, pledges; a workout room for
e— Mr ntary
Abov Eleme
moor teachers and staff….“You need
Creed
a second to CATCH up?” she teases. I’m too busy
writing notes to get the pun.
“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…..
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.quot;
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.
Help us CATCH a Story!
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).