Getting Ready for Texas Obesity Awareness Week

And, I am indeed AWARE after visiting O. Henry today (see blog entry below). Along this personal blogging journey, I'll be updating the blog regularly with health topics that impact student and staff health. We begin (and I begin boot camp, again) with Texas Obesity Awareness Week that starts on Monday.  I'll send a daily "tweet" from my superintendent Twitter account as we increase awareness about adult and childhood obesity, choose to make healthy nutrition choices (I ate my servings of fruit this morning in my smoothie), and increase daily physical activity (with or without heels). Feel free to follow along with me and try to improve your lifestyle too. Encourage others to sign up for AISD Twitter to get engaged.

Look at what happens to your brain after aerobic exercise. It's called Acute Physical Activity & amp; Cognitive Performance.

After 20 minutes of aerobic exercise

Without aerobic exercise

To learn more about what AISD is doing in the area of obesity prevention, visit www.austinisd.org/schools/menus for nutrition information, and www.austinschools.org/curriculum/pe_health/index.html for information on health education, physical education, physical activity, activity breaks in the classroom known as "brain breaks", and the districts Coordinated School Health Program, CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child's Health).    

Am I as Mighty as an O. Henry Mustang?

The short answer: No.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Oooooooooooo Henry. Oh, I almost died at O. Henry doing my FITNESSGRAM — sit-ups, pacer test (cardiovascular fitness), push-ups, and height and weight to determine my BMI (body mass index). I will share the details, as I'm sure you would share with me too. Here goes: sit ups - 32, pacer 20, push-ups 10, height 5'4 1/2 (I've apparently shrunk), weight (let's just say I need to lose 40 pounds - how did that happen? I have no idea), and 1/3 of my body is fat. Why, oh why, did I go to O. Henry today?!?!?!?

During ...

Unbeknownst to me, the Office for Health Services (Coordinator of AISD Health Services, Tracy Lunoff) had arranged for me to do a fitness assessment during this visit (I may have to strangle her with a jump rope). Poor PE Teacher Kristine Kobb had to witness my shock and horror. She gracefully gave me space and privacy as school nurse Pam Bickham nervously weighed and measured me. Clearly, I was unprepared in my suit and pumps, but I managed.

On to the gym, and kicking off my jacket and shoes, I did the assessment with students in the physical education class with the help of teachers Ryan Richter and David McKay. Given my commitment to supporting our district's new self-insurance model that emphasizes being more healthy and fit, I not-so-happily obliged, and Principal Pete Price did the exercises too. (I wasn't going to be embarrassed alone!)

During ...

During ...

... After

Getting my FITNESSGRAM results ... gulp

Apparently, last school year, O. Henry had its own "Biggest Loser" show to motivate teachers and staff health. Fifty-plus staff members participated! I understand they will be doing it again in January, and I can't wait to hear how many staff members at O. Henry will be joining me in this quest to become healthier.

Finally released from the

Mustang Jazz Band led by Ms. Jennifer Boltz

gym (just kidding ... it was fun), Principal Price took us to meet the Mustang Jazz Band, led by teacher Jennifer Boltz, where I was serenaded with Secret Agent Man ... to a science class taught by O. Henry Teacher of the Year Camille Fillpot ... to a math class where teachers Karen Ciesla and Laurie Jeffrey were instructing students in identifying parts of a linear equation ... and to the English class of teacher Dana Phillips who was reviewing grammar basics for good writing. Teachers and students were hard at work, and you could tell that the school year is well underway, with rigor being the academic standard in every O. Henry classroom.
 

Teacher of the Year Ms. Camille Fillpot

 

Ms. Karen Ciesla

Principal Price told me the school has an impressive Who's Who list of former students — Lloyd Doggett and Ben Crenshaw are two — or children of public leaders, such Rick Perry and Kirk Watson.

Leaving O. Henry, I noticed a beautiful mosaic wall mural. It was created by students, staff, and school counselor Wanda Montemayor, who is also a public art muralist and an art therapist. More than 500 students and adults participated in the project. Teachers and staff, seventh grade social studies classes, and Mrs. Mitzels’ classes created tiles about things that they like to read. The Loss and Grief groups created tiles about things that they would like to remember and hopes for their future. A girl’s counseling group and the Loss and Grief group also created a book with words that are powerful to them. The after-school art club worked diligently every Monday glazing, making more tiles, and assembling and grouting the mosaic. What a wonderful work of art — and of the heart!


The school is named for William Sydney Porter — better known to us as the famous short story writer, O. Henry — who lived in Austin from 1885 to 1894. I'm sure that O. Henry Middle School students read many of his works, now classics of American literature. The Austin History Center has a great deal of information about O. Henry's years here, so check it out through this link. O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)

Our visit to O. Henry has ended and I had a great time. Even the FITNESSGRAM was fun, and I appreciate that y'all did that to ... er, FOR me. Thanks, Mr. Price and all you Mustangs, for your warm hospitality!

Rocking, Jumping, and Resisting Temptation at Barton Hills

Barton Hills Elementary began its life in 1964 as a very popular school. According to the principal, Kati Achtermann, it was the very first of two elementary schools to get central air conditioning (the other was Blanton, also built in 1964)! Kids must have been thrilled to go to school back then. We all know what August in Texas feels like! Anyway, Barton Hills is one of our smaller schools— quaint and lovely with 380 students. The original building had 12 classrooms. Today, the district has added many more, but via portables.

The school library is part of the original building which is where we began our visit. Librarian Jenny Day had a third grade class, teaching them what it means to be a "reader." I was pleased to see her using an Innovation Station, some new technology that we're introducing into all our schools.

On top of the bookcases in the library are the second grade shadow box projects that are aligned to the TAKS to reinforce listening, speaking, and communication skills. Principal Achtermann explained that students express their individuality through their designs, where they can visually tell more about the things that are important to them. Some shadow boxes were shaped like baseballs and others were entire beach scenes. It was great to see the standards posted that explained the projects.

A highlight of the visit was meeting Teacher of the Year Gaven Tabone who is a rock star! As the music teacher — who is as famous in our district as the cool folks he hangs with (like Al Roker and Lyle Lovett) — he had the students and me rocking to three songs rolled into one: the school song, Deep in the Heart of Texas, and others. It was all intermingled with several solos and much fancy action with the fingers on the piano. The students are preparing for a program of 50s music called The Sock Hop.

Just down the hall from the music room is the gym where we met an outstanding student teacher, Ryan O'Neil. His students were very engaged in a cardiovascular session, running and jumping rope. I jumped rope, too, and noticed that most of the kids were better at it than me. I had fun, though. At rest time, the class had a group discussion about the importance of perseverance — or "not giving up," as one student explained its meaning.





PE teacher Courtney Perry showed me the Golden Sneaker Award that will be given to the class with the most kids participating in the International Walk to School Day on October 6. This observance fits in well with our district's emphasis on health and fitness. Here's a link to the day, if you want to get your kids walking or riding bikes to school. Just click on this link. Walk to School


I wasn't very prepared for PE class today, wearing high heels and all. I laughed at an art display of appropriate footwear for the gym, and heels were on the "absolutely not" list. Here are my inappropriate shoes. (I should probably just keep a pair of tennies in my bag to have when I need them ... you'll understand why when you read about my next visit at O. Henry Middle School.)

With just a few minutes left, our almost last stop at Barton Hills was a fifth grade social studies class taught by Melissa Atterberry. The students are in the beginning stages of creating interactive social studies notebooks. This is intriguing and I really want to see them when they get done.

We were on our way out the door when I was lured into the cafeteria by a tantalizing aroma — freshly baked rolls. Goodness gracious, they smelled wonderful. I resisted, though, not wanting to add back the ... oh, surely it was HUNDREDS ... of calories I burned up while jumping rope. Ha! I met Wendy Caudill, Food Services Area Manager, and the cafeteria cooks who baked those incredible-smelling rolls.

I have to get out of here before I give in to temptation! Thank you, Barton Hills Eagles for a fantastic time.

Wonderful Warriors and Thunderbirds at Travis Heights!

I'm back to visiting schools this morning and there's a great line-up ahead for me. We're starting at Travis Heights Elementary, home of the Thunderbirds.

Travis Heights has developed specialized leadership opportunities through its Warriors program. The Warriors met me at the front door to introduce me to what makes their school unique. Three students - Tres, Griffen, and Jaime - shared with me their experiences at Travis Heights, along with their sponsor, Pat Pugh. These Warrior students are selected through an application process and become the school hosts and hostesses for special events, as well as special classroom helpers at various grade levels.

This is just one indication of the spirit of community found at Travis Heights Elementary School. Built in 1939, this school is located in the eclectic 78704 neighborhood. Students were proud to tell me of the Young Writers Conference held every year. At this special event, famous writers and musicians come to the school to share their craft and inspire students to express their creativity. I'd love to be invited back for that!

Principal Lisa Robertson met us in the office. She told us that what makes Travis Height special is the location and the people. Her community was described as creative and unique. I was not surprised to learn that Travis Heights actually has its own Thunder Band made up of teachers, parents, and community members, and that they play for students on Fridays.

Principal Robertson introduced me to as many staff as she could. Her volunteer partners in math - parents, community members, and supporters of the school - come once a week to tutor and support our kids. Parent Lorrie De Haas is the school's volunteer coordinator and does it all by herself. Goodness! That's awesome!

Their reading specialist, Kim Cook joined us. She explained her program to Ramona who was happy to hear of her specialized training and use of the Dyslexia Intervention Program (DIP). Kim explained how effective it was in building decoding and fluency skills in struggling readers, especially ELL students transitioning to English.

As we entered the third grade classroom of the Teacher of Promise, Andrea Stepan, I was delighted to find another group of volunteers. APIE math mentors come once a week to work with students in small groups on numerical fluency. This initiative was organized by parent Laurie De Haas. Principal  Robertson explained the value of her efforts, such as this, in improving math scores. Laurie uses the APIE website and local newsletters to solicit parents, relatives of parents, as well as students from UT and St. Edwards. Leading her own math group was PTA President, Minerva Skeith. Students at Travis Heights certainly get a sense that their entire community supports their education.

One of the high points of the visit was meeting fourth grade teacher, Brandon Ligon. Mr. Ligon’s class was working on storyboards for the students' first personal writing story. Principal Robertson told us that Brandon was selected to be demonstration teacher for the GT program and was working closely with a GT design team with Highland Park Elementary. When he went into his Rap of the Week with students it was not difficult to understand why they were so engaged and on task.

Mr. Ligon demonstrated the lesson to students by preparing his own storyboard about swimming off the coast of Jamaica and seeing a tiger shark, piranha, and huge giant jellyfish. I was dubious (see the look on my face!), but he said it was a true story — a true "fish" tale, I think! Still, you could really feel the great rapport Mr. Ligon has with his students and it was such a fun classroom to visit.

My last stop was the media lab. Kent Hawes has worked through Prime Time to create KTHE-TV. I met some journalists, producers, and editors who interviewed me for the KTHE-TV broadcast. Siobhan F. asked several interesting questions regarding my visit and also my vision for AISD. This team of students worked together to tape the show and according to the team they will show this at a Friday assembly. It's clear that the personalities at THES make it a unique place to learn.

I can't forget to write about their cafeteria mural and wonderful artwork that was proudly displayed throughout the building. It is beautiful and inspiring! I had a wonderful visit here at Travis Heights. The Thunderbirds are awesome!

Now on to Barton Hills Elementary.