Childhood obesity comes with an estimated price tag of $19,000 per child when comparing lifetime medical costs to those of a normal weight child, according to an analysis led by researchers at the Duke Global Health Institute and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore. This recent study supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation makes us realize even more that CATCH, at an annual cost of around $9 per child is a pretty good bargain. To read more about this recent study please visit the Duke Global Health website.  

In Savoy, Illinois, there is an elementary school that was literally designed to incorporate elements of CATCH when the new replacement school building was built for Champaign Unit School District 4. A visionary concept for child health, school wellness, and innovative education. We caught up with designer Wendy Watts of CannonDesign, and the school health and wellness champions, Principal Jeff Scott, and Physical Education Coordinator, Wendy Starwalt, of Carrie Busey Elementary School (CBES).  The 63,000 square foot school on 6 acres opened in August 2012. The school houses 425 students from Kindergarten through 5th grade.

CATCH: When did the district adopt the CATCH Program and what prompted you to do so?   How did CATCH evolve as part of the school design?

CBES: We adopted CATCH in the Fall of 2009. I was prompted by a former Principal from Texas who had the program in her building.  She tipped me off that our local Public Health Dept was looking for schools who might be interested.  Of course after hearing about the program the only question in my mind was "Why wouldn't we do this?"  I presented it to the staff and they had the same response and were all on board.  Unheard of in most schools.  We took with programming throughout the school.  Everything we did had some element of CATCH embedded in it and we started to get a lot of attention for it in the community.  Our kids and their families had an overwhelming response to all the things we were able to do.  In the Fall of 2010 we are informed that we would be building a new school and would have a great deal of input.  CannonDesign spent a lot of time learning about our programming with CATCH and through some very deliberate collaboration we were able to tailor the building around health and wellness.  We are a school of choice district and our families were starting to choose us for our CATCH programming, as they saw it as an enhancement beyond the regular curriculum.

CATCH: Did the teachers and community have a "wish list" of design elements they wanted incorporated ?

CBES: We had very specific needs in the design, and CannonDesign was able to think outside of the box for us and make it happen.  I will say that we taught CannonDesign a few things about Elementary Phys Ed in the process. 

CannonDesign:  At the former school we saw CATCH being represented in the gymnasium and outdoors.  We realized this was a huge opportunity to build even more aspects of CATCH into other spaces to support the curriculum. It was very rewarding to find simple low cost ways of extending the program to other areas of the building, such as the gathering areas at each grade level.

CATCH: What are some of the unique school design features that support CATCH health and wellness messages?  

CBES: One of the things that are incorporated into the design is the flooring in the gym.  It has a bit of cushion for the little ones but also the line design on the floor is not typical. CannonDesign was accustomed to basketball lines. We need circles rectangles and other various markings all in unique colors to enhance our instruction and streamline our transitions during instruction. This increases MVPA - moderate to vigorous physical activity.

As we described to CannonDesign what the classroom aspect of CATCH looked like they came up with the idea that we would have these central pods at each grade level with sinks and student level counters to teach the CATCH nutrition curriculum.  They then added a prep kitchen that is designed so all students can be hands on cooking and prepping food.  The CATCH kitchen is indescribable.  You have to almost see it in action to believe it.

Gardens: One of our goals was to have a school garden. They designed and incorporated space for 4 big raised beds and then another large garden.  We also have a concrete slab for our garden shed of equipment.  Last year was our first CATCH garden.  We even planted sweet corn that we harvested in the fall and our 4th graders cooked for lunch in September.

Sound System: A mic system and wireless music system with an airport just for CATCH implementation.  Music is a big part of the PA program.

Taste testing with food service so kids have input into the menu. 

CannonDesign: Running club was also a long standing part of their culture during recess.  We worked a path into the play area as the site plan was being developed.   Seeing what the school has done with their multipurpose space is really inspiring.  We are thankful that the gymnasium has the ability to open up to the Dining/Commons space via a large movable motorized wall.  This multipurpose gives them ample room for endless physical movement group events.  Having  the Art and Music rooms directly adjacent to this Commons space extend the ways that those rooms can be used as well.  I'm sure this space will evolve as they come up with new ideas to add to the program.   

CATCH: How often do students get to use these aspects? 

CBES: All students get to use all of these elements on a regular basis.  We rotate using the prep kitchen,  every class has an aspect of the garden that they are responsible for. The gym is used from iMove club at 7:30 AM before school all the way throughout the day.

CATCH: Describe notable changes since implementing CATCH and how you know CATCH is working in the new building.

CBES:  Our kids can talk the talk. GO SLOW WHOA they know it. We constantly get testimonials from families about kids calling out their parents on nutrition and exercise.  We do a yearly parent and student survey to check how we are doing and the impact we are having.

CATCH: Does the physical space extend the CATCH program to the community?  Please explain.

CBES: We hold a minimum of 2 major events that extend CATCH into our families and community.  One is our Garden and the other is our free to anyone who shows up 3K event and Health Family Picnic Competition in the fall.

CATCH: What are the keys to your success? 

CBES: Imagination, hard work and networking for new ideas to keep it fresh.

CATCH: What advice can you offer to those just beginning or who have already implemented the CATCH Program?

CBES: Network to come up with ideas and write press release for everything you do.  A lot comes your way when people see all that is happening in the school.

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

CBES: I didn't have any barriers, which I know is unusual.  I could always use more money but CATCH has allowed me to qualify for other grant opportunities that have only enhanced the program.

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

CBES: As I said before we pretty much have celebrity status in Urbana - Champaign.  Companies and people use our program to film, photo, and model for other schools.

CATCH:  What are your plans for the future at this school location and elsewhere in the district?  What is your school health and wellness vision?

CBES: The biggest challenge is keeping it fresh. New ideas, new funding. We have our fundamental successes but we like to tweak it and add things each year. This year our new focus has been on PA and the brain. We have been incorporating brain breaks throughout the academic day in all sorts of ways. We have had some brain break incentives and just celebrated with a Fiesta Dance Party with fresh fruit and veggies for our snack. 

CATCH: Is there anything else you would like to add? 

CBES: Our facility is like teaching in Disney World for PE teachers.

CATCH: AWESOME!

National CATCH Coordinator Kathy Chichester attended the JCC's (Jewish Community Centers) of North America Biennial Conference to support their international movement. Discover CATCH is a customized early childhood physical activity and nutrition program that features CATCH components.  

Kathy pictured with JCC's Steve Becker (L) and  Mark Horowitz (R).