The Answers to Your Questions: Whole Child Model Webinar Follow-up

On November 19th, we featured a webinar on the “Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child” model and discussed why school leaders care so much about student, staff and teacher wellness with our very own Dr. Steve Kelder and Frisco ISD Superintendent, Dr. Jeremy Lyon. If you missed the webinar and would like more details on how to improve school health with statewide solutions, click here for the video archive.

Several attendees had questions that we couldn’t get to due to time constraints. However, we want your questions to be answered! Below is a list of the questions received during our webinar and answers from Dr. Lyon. If you have any additional burning inquiries, feel free to reach out to either of these experts via email: Steven.H.Kelder@uth.tmc.edu and LyonJM@friscoisd.org. 

Q1. Dr. Lyon, could you speak to the importance of a quality physical education program in supporting the Whole Child Model and a school's coordinated school health program?

A quality physical education program is critical in teaching students the vital importance of at least 60 minutes of activity every day. It lays the foundation for understanding that physical health is vital to a person reaching their potential in life.

Q2. What funding exists for CSH and a CSH Director?

There isn't any specific funding other than the school district general fund. It has to be a funding priority.

Q3. What size classes do you think are reasonable in physical education for teachers to be able to be successful in instructing children in these important wellness concepts as well as providing appropriate physical activity?

I'm not sure. I think it is situational. What we see too often is PE classes that are enormous (50 and over). Huge PE classes limit the amount of personalization that is essential in teaching health and wellness fundamentals.

Q4. Are you aware of any other school districts who have a Director of CATCH for implementation and are there any outcomes data to support having this staff position, or other resources to help us to advocate for a Director in our districts?

I think the data supporting such a position can be accumulated from existing and emerging research. Many districts have district-level roles aimed at improving the health and wellness of staff and students.

Q5. How can these recommendations be translated to after school programs that aim to implement physical activity and health education programs?

I'm not sure of the answer to this but the place to start would be on providing the after school instructors with some curriculum support.

Q6. Can you share your thoughts on how to get physical education teachers on board for this Whole Child model?

Physical education teachers should be given opportunities to attend professional development classes that promote the Whole Child model. They should be expected to collaborate with campus staff on improving the health and wellness of both staff and students. Their role should move towards having the responsibility to promote health and wellness across the curriculum, not just in PE.

Thank you again to all who participated and to Dr. Lyon for sharing your great insights!

For those who missed the webinar and would like more details on how to improve school health with statewide solutions, click here for the video archive.