May. 27, 2011 09:56 AM – Arizona Republic – by Coty Dolores Miranda
Ahwatukee non-profit part of student health, exercise effort

Health Choice Arizona and Ahwatukee-based Kidz for Life have partnered on a free pilot health and exercise program for the 460 kindergarten through sixth-grade students in Sequoia Schools’ Mesa branch.

“It’s so important that in this day when schools everywhere are doing away with PE and other programs that our children learn the importance of eating the right foods and the need for exercise,” said Janalea Working of Mesa, who has two of her four children enrolled at the Mesa school.

Nationwide, statistics indicate 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese, a rate that has tripled in the past two decades.

Those stats were a major inspiration for Health Choice Arizona’s involvement through THANX (Think Healthy About Nutrition and eXercise), an unusual after-school program designed to help overcome childhood obesity, according to spokeswoman Linda Ross.

“We care about the health and wellness of Arizona kids and wanted to create a program that addresses the need for increased nutritional awareness and physical activity,” Ross said. “We partnered with Kidz for Life because of their award-winning comprehensive health education and Sequoia charter schools because of their willingness and desire to incorporate fun, exciting and impactful methods during and after the school day to address this issue.”

“We definitely have a problem with obesity and we’re addressing the issue,” said Sequoia health and wellness coordinator Cedrick Woodard, who oversees all 21 Sequoia schools in Arizona.

Sequoia Elementary in Mesa has also partnered with RileyHealthcare and the United Field Coaches Federation to provide cardiovascular and diabetes screening.

Kidz for Life founder and President Cary Bailen said she hopes to launch the program statewide as more school districts, public and private, are forced to cut physical- education classes.

“To have businesses align to benefit children in times like these when school budgets are being slashed is a true blessing,” Bailen said. “Expanding this program could bring a paradigm shift to the way schools are looking at the difficulties with obesity, absenteeism and behavior problems.”

Beginning next school year, Kidz for Life will offer twice-weekly in-school health classes and provide free after-school programs emphasizing exercise and leadership activities.

“The partnership that we’ve formed with Kidz for Life and THANX is significant because it affirms the desire of our commitment to improve the overall health and wellness of our staff and students,” said Woodard, who recruited and organized campus health and wellness committees.

Arizona State University will collect data on the pilot program for one year.

Parents voiced optimism for the program.

“It’s important kids know the right foods to eat and the need for exercise,” Working said. “It has to be done at home, too. Our family started hiking as a family, and we try to get out every weekend.”

Ginger Aston, an Ahwatukee resident and mother of fourth-grader Jordan, concurred.

“I think this is a positive and needed program. So many kids just want to sit around, eat chips and drink sodas. A lot of it is because it’s so easily accessible to them. It’s good for kids to get educated that there are many other choices out there. For me, there was always an apple after school.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FTP60 LAUNCHES AT SAHUARO ELEMENTARY

WHO: Sahuaro Ranch Elementary Community

WHAT: Lunch to launch the Fuel Up to Play 60 program at the school

GLENDALE, Ariz. – February 22, 2011 – Sahuaro Ranch Elementary school will be kicking off its Fuel Up to Play 60 (FTP60) program at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at the school, 10401 N. 63rd Avenue.

FTP60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council and National Football League, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture. The program helps schools inspire kids to get up and play for 60 minutes a day and to fuel up with the nutrient rich foods. Last fall, Sahuaro Ranch received a $2,000 grant from the Fuel Up to Play 60 organization to start the program at the school.

As part of the event, Debbie Pool, the Health Education Director from KIDZ for Life, will speak to students about nutrition. During recess, high school athletes will involve the students in games and activities such as soccer, jump rope, volleyball and football. The school will also have drawings and prizes for students who participate in the challenge.

In addition, the school will kick off the six-week Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) Challenge, which challenges kids to be active for 60 minutes a day, five days a week. Fuel Up to Play 60 is working with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to help meet the Million PALA Challenge. All students who complete the challenge will receive a Presidential certificate.

Sahuaro Ranch Elementary, part of the Peoria Unified School District, is located in the Northwest Valley. The Peoria Unified School District boasts a 93 percent high school graduation rate. It is the third largest school district in Arizona and prides itself on excelling schools, award-winning teachers, high AIMS test scores, specialized signature programs and championship sports programs. The Vision of the Peoria Unified School District is “Every student, every day, prepared to meet tomorrow.”

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