Educators know that physical fitness and nutrition are key to academic achievement; after all, a healthy mind is part of a healthy body.

One ACSA principal has taken this fact to heart, and has spent the last few years implementing an innovative physical fitness program in his school. Kurt Suhr, principal of Newport Heights Elementary in the Newport-Mesa USD, has even inspired other educational leaders in his district and state to follow in his footsteps.

Suhr, who was named Principal of the Year for the Governor’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports Awards, brought to Newport Heights the innovative program CATCH – Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health. The program, which is in place in thousands of classrooms across the country, brings schools, families and communities together to teach children how to be healthy for a lifetime. CATCH is a research-based, coordinated effort among all aspects of a child’s life: in the classroom, in the cafeteria, in physical education, at home and after school. Most importantly, CATCH makes nutrition learning and physical activity fun.

Suhr, who was honored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger during a ceremony in September, said the movement began a few years ago with a parent who was passionate about physical education. She urged school officials to change the way PE was approached on campus; previously, only students in fourth through sixth grades had a designated PE teacher. Suhr wanted the same for first through third. While school officials were supportive of the idea, the harsh reality was that the resources simply weren’t there.

“If we did that for our school, we’d have to do it for all schools,” Suhr said.

With a little creative thinking, the idea came about to instead train classroom teachers in physical education so they were better equipped to lead their students to better health.

“We found there was a gap – teachers don’t usually get that training,” Suhr said.

A district official recommended the Texas-based CATCH program. The first year of implementation, one teacher per grade level, seven in all, were selected to receive training and in turn lead their students through the program’s components. The feedback was extremely positive, Suhr said.

“Across the board, every single teacher thought the programs were good,” he said. “They said the lessons were easy to follow.”

The program itself consists of four components: physical education, health education, family and community involvement and nutrition services.

The first step was implementing physical education. This consisted of scripted, unit-based lessons incorporating moderate to vigorous physical activity. Most are small-group activities, such as tossing flying discs or dribbling balls and passing them with feet, activities that work different parts of the body and increase balance and coordination.

“If you provide routine physical exercise to children, they’re going to do better at school,” Suhr said. “After exercise, they come back as more focused students.”

The second component is health education, which focused on classroom curriculum on nutrition education and “go foods” – those that are healthy; “slow foods” – those that should be eaten in moderation; and “whoa foods” – those that should be avoided.

“It focuses on the importance of what you’re eating,” Suhr said.

The home and community involvement element is also crucial. Children can follow healthy guidelines while at school, but after hours they need the support of their family to continue their progress.

The final component is nutrition services. At Newport Heights the nutrition services department involved students in going to the market and selecting healthy ingredients that taste good.

“Nutrition services is looking at creative ways to serve children by reducing fat and sugar content and serving a more healthy lunch menu, such as a produce bar,” Suhr said.

Since bringing the program to Newport Heights, the program has expanded not only throughout the Newport Mesa district and Orange County, but to more than 1,500 classrooms across California. Suhr said he recommends all school leaders follow his lead and implement physical education and nutrition programs in their schools, because the benefits to students are clear.

“There is a relationship between routine exercise and higher student achievement,” Suhr said.

He recommends school leaders begin by learning as much as they can about the program, and to start small.

“Start with a few passionate teachers,” he said. “You’re not going to get the most benefit out of the program if you don’t have people who are passionate about it.”

It’s also crucial to get buy-in from the district. Without support from district leaders, success will be difficult.

“Don’t try to do it in isolation,” Suhr said. “It’s great to be in a district where they are all so supportive. They have been involved since the beginning and have stayed involved.”

Suhr recommends really listening to the feedback of teachers and students, and conducting surveys and assessments. Most importantly, he recommends investing in quality training.

“Providing the appropriate staff development is the most important component,” he said.

Looking back, Suhr said it was the dedication of a single parent that made this all possible, and he is grateful for her enthusiasm.

“That single act has snowballed into something positive schoolwide, districtwide and statewide,” he said.