District Implements $234K Child Health Initiative to Benefit Acres Homes Schools and Community

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The Aldine Independent School District was selected to implement a $234,090 initiative to expand the Coordinated Approach To Childhood Health (CATCH ®) program, including the “CATCH my Breath” anti-vaping/smoking campaign design a fitness trail for the Acres Homes community at an Aldine ISD campus.

This comprehensive school health initiative at Aldine ISD is supported by Be Well™ Acres Homes. Be Well Acres Homes is an initiative of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in collaboration with Harris Health System, Memorial Hermann Community Benefit Corporation, UTHealth School of Public Health, and more than 30 community organizations united together with residents of Acres Homes.

Be Well Acres Homes aims to promote wellness and stop cancer before it starts. The initiative is part of MD Anderson’s Be Well Communities™ model. This place-based strategy narrows the gap between known cancer prevention tactics and successful implementation. Be Well Acres Homes will apply evidence-based strategies within the northwest Houston community to promote physical activity, healthy eating, and other behaviors that can directly impact health. In its first two years, Be Well Acres Homes aims to build sustainable food systems, increase access to healthy food, improve spaces for physical activity, create a network of community and school-based gardens, and provide culturally-adapted nutrition education.

A total of 15 Aldine ISD schools within the Acres Homes community have been selected to benefit from the program.

Anderson Academy for Montessori & Fine Arts 
Caraway Elementary School
Carver High School for Engineering, Applied Technology & the Arts*
Drew Academy for Math, Science, Technology & Fine Arts
Eisenhower High School — IB® World School
Eisenhower Ninth Grade School — IB® World School
García Middle School
Goodman Elementary School
Harris Elementary School
Hoffman Middle School
Houston Academy for Math, Science & Fine Arts
Reece Academy for Montessori, Direct Instruction & Fine Arts
Smith Elementary School
Stovall Primary School
Vines Primary School

These schools will participate in the following activities:

• Attend training for PreK – 8th grade PE teachers on CATCH®, a research-proven approach to coordinated school health
• Receive physical activity equipment and curriculum to enhance PE and classroom instruction
• Host family wellness nights at each campus for students and families
• Provide brain-based learning for Primary and Elementary teachers, and implement the curriculum
• Provide anti-tobacco and anti-vaping curriculum training to Secondary teachers, and implement the curriculum
• Conduct evaluation to ensure improved outcomes for students at these schools
• Assess, design, and implement a fitness trail at one campus
• Develop and implement sustainable gardens in up to 6 campuses

In addition to the work being carried out by Aldine ISD, our district will be supporting other organizations to implement projects that will help our students and families. Anderson Academy will also be participating in Brighter Bites, a food co-op, and a nutrition education program. All eligible schools will apply to become Brighter Bites schools later this school year. Houston Academy, Harris Elementary, and Smith Elementary will be working with Harris County Public Health and the City of Houston on the development of a Safe Routes to School plan. Additional schools will be added next year, and the whole district can enact strategies outlined in the plan. All students, families, staff, and others in Acres Homes will have access to an additional program supported by Be Well Acres Homes, such as nutrition education classes, community gardens, soccer programs, and fitness classes.

Aldine ISD teachers are currently receiving training for the CATCH Program. The program officially launched on October 19, 2021.