CATCH Champion for April 2007

An Interview with Nancy Eskew

Dean of Students/Curriculum Director

Oakland Community School District #5 Oakland, Illinois

What prompted you to be an advocate and champion of children's health?

With all the research and technology in today's society, we now know how important proper nutrition and exercise are to our longevity. Therefore, the sooner we instill healthy habits, the better. As a grandmother of 6 and a school administrator, I work with children everyday and love every minute I spend with them. They are innocent individuals who depend on adults to do what is best for them and to guide them in the right direction. As a result, I feel a big responsibility to do my part in helping them achieve a healthy and happy life!

When did you and your district adopt the CATCH Program and what prompted you to do so?

Oakland Community Unit School District # 5 implemented the CATCH Program during the 2004-2005 school year for grades 3-5. In the 2005-2006 school year, we adopted the K-2 CATCH curriculum. I was personally contacted by the Illinois Dept. of Public Health and asked if I would be interested in introducing this new concept in Oakland . Because of a growing concern with obesity in our students, I researched the program and became instantly excited about the strategies that could address the needs of our student body and make a difference in the future health of our youth.

Knowing that childhood obesity can lead to adult health problems made the choice for adopting the CATCH Program even more advisable. The immediate areas I believed would benefit from the change were the food-nutrition arena, as well as the health and physical education curriculum.

Since we are a very small school (350 students K-12), some of our elementary teachers also teach their own physical education classes. Without specific training, the instructors were struggling to address the various needs of the students. I knew the CATCH Program would provide the much needed knowledge and inspiration for them. Armed with this new gained confidence, I was sure the health and well-being of the youth would improve and at an early age so as to make a vast difference as each child grew to adulthood. I have certainly not been disappointed in my expectations!

Describe notable changes since implementing CATCH and how you know CATCH is working.

Oakland Schools have made several notable changes since implementing CATCH.

First, PE equipment has been updated and expanded to improve the overall PE curriculum. The positive response from the students verifies the quality of the program. Children are able to participate more and not forced to stand in line and wait to take a turn, as in the past. They are more motivated to be involved. This constant moving is healthier and makes character and body building activities much more enjoyable.

Classroom Curriculum on Nutrition and Health topics are more engaging with CATCH. Our High School Family and Consumer Science classes work with the 3, 4, and 5 graders demonstrating how to make healthy snacks at home. They also instruct teachers using the food pyramid for lessons in making wiser food choices. The teachers then pass this information along to the students through fun-filled, hands-on activities. Elementary children love the interaction with the older high school students and vice versa.

The school cafeteria has also made several major changes. The lunch program now offers two vegetables each day. Their a-la-carte items consisting of candy bars, packaged snack cakes, etc. have been exchanged for yogurt sticks, granola gars, baked chips, raisins, etc. The daily menus have been revamped. They are now lower in saturated fat and sodium. The menu newsletter to parents features a “symbol system” beside each food item to indicate if it is a “go”, “slow”, or “whoa” food. This information has been welcomed by parents and students in making better and more conscious eating choices.

The School also sponsors an annual Fall Family Fun Night each year where parents are educated about the CATCH Program. Better nutrition and the benefits of exercise are emphasized. One of the indicators that this evening is a huge success is inside the students' sack lunches. The foods they pack from home are healthier, but more importantly, they are eaten and not wasted. According to parents, children are asking for sports equipment such as jump ropes, tennis rackets, basketballs, roller skates, etc. for birthday and Christmas gifts. Weak excuses to sit out of PE are a thing of the past. Students are enthusiastic about participating. Cultivating a positive attitude toward being physically active will reap benefits for a lifetime.

What are the keys to your success?

The keys to our success are simple. First, teamwork, everyone maintaining a common goal which is well-educated, healthy and happy children keeps the focus. After all, children are the future!

A dedicated staff willing to be role models, interested and cooperative parents, encouragement from the administration, and the overwhelming support of the community all add up to a formula for victory!

What advice can you offer for those just beginning and for those who have already implemented the CATCH Program.

Keep on Keepin' on!!! If you can't make all the changes you want at one time, then launch out with one or two a year. The key is not quitting. Never stop or give up. This is the process Oakland has had to use. Each improvement will result in a ripple effect and yield benefits. Every change will build on the ones before and soon you will enjoy the framework of a healthier lifestyle change for everyone. Slowly the value of exercise and healthy eating will become contagious and a habit!

What was your most significant barrier and how did you overcome the challenge?

The most significant obstacle we have faced is parental involvement. Although moms and dads are supportive, they lack time from working to come to school and personally interact with programs. For example: the past four years, we have not had a PTA or a PTO. At our first Family Fun Night only 10-12 parents attended. But because we believed so in CATCH and had witnessed the rewards of the program, we continued to promote the mind-set and strategies. We advertised heavily and with the enthusiasm of everyone involved, we had about 100 parents come this year. Many positive comments and feedback from them convinced us they enjoyed the activities and saw the value in them. Needless to say, the students loved the opportunity to be engaged with their parents in such a fun environment.

What has been the reaction from parents, administration, students and community?

Extremely supportive!!! The reaction from parents, students, the administration, and the community has all been very positive. Everyone commends the school for promoting the education of a healthier and more active lifestyle for all, but especially building life long habits for the students that will reap benefits for years to come in their lives.

What are your plans for the future? What is your CATCH vision?

We plan to continue using the CATCH Program. Our intention is to expand the training and education to all the classroom teachers, as well as the community. It is imperative that we stay up-to-date on children's health issues. The goal of Oakland CUSD # 5 is to promote a healthy environment where students will learn and choose to actively participate in healthy lifestyle practices. Hopefully, we can implement a coordinated school health program where all concerned can work together to establish these strategies beyond the school setting.

Anything else you would like to add?

Oakland has created a “Wellness Policy” for our school that strongly incorporates the CATCH Program. It is evident in the way we have embraced CATCH and used it as a launch pad for our health platform that we are committed to it 100% and believe in its success!

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