Aldine ISD Receives $72K Grant From MD Anderson to Fund ‘Be Well Acres Homes’ Program

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Aldine ISD was recently the recipient of a $72,000 grant from MD Anderson to fund the “Be Well Acres Homes” program. The goal of the program is to reduce the risk of cancer by improving fitness through exercise, nutrition education and sun safety education throughout the Acres Homes community.

This is the third grant Aldine ISD has received from MD Anderson.

This grant will provide an After-School Active Kids Program from Sept. 2024 through May 2025 for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders in Aldine ISD schools in the Acres Homes area. The program will provide high-quality physical activity in a sun-safe environment. Students will utilize heart rate monitors to track and improve cardiovascular endurance and reduce the risk of cancer.

The six campuses that will benefit from the program are:

• Anderson Academy
• Caraway Elementary
• Goodman ACE
• Harris Academy
• Houston Academy
• Smith Elementary

According to Kenneth Hernandez, coordinator of health and physical education and the program manager of the grant, a study conducted in 2023 found that rates of obesity and poverty are higher in the Acres Homes area, which leads to more sedentary behavior and increases the risk of cancer in the community. The study also found a lack of physical activity opportunities at a young age also contributes to negative health risks.

Students who participate in the program will remain after school weekly for one hour, a minimum of 12 times in the fall and 15 times in the spring.

The grant will provide heart rate monitors, sunscreen dispensers, BRAINBall equipment that integrates math and literacy into physical activity, water bottles, and shirts for participants.

Aldine ISD Child Nutrition Department will provide nutritious snacks to students who participate at the end of each session and the district’s Transportation Department will provide bus transportation to students.

“Part of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model is physical activity,” Hernandez said. “The Active Kids program is another way Aldine ISD is ensuring students have opportunities to be physically active, accelerating their path to being healthy, lifelong learners.”