1. Success Stories from the Field and Building Your Advocacy Plan Tracy A. Fox, MPH, RD President, Food, Nutrition & Policy Consultants, LLC www.foodnutritionpolicy.com

2. Collection of Physical Education Success Stories Stories submitted by teachers, principals, other administrators, parents, district staff. Two main criteria for inclusion of story: –Success in maintaining minutes allotted for physical education –Success in increasing minutes allotted for physical education Additional considerations: must be physical education, not physical activity. 24 Success Stories were selected for inclusion. No assessment or evaluation regarding the quality of the physical education program that was offered.

3. Overview of the Stories Collected Represent 20 states Individual schools Several schools within a district Entire districts Rural, urban, suburban Diverse student populations Waterville, ME

4. Themes That Emerged From the Success Stories Commitment & dedication Leadership Community support Wellness policies Innovation & flexibility

5. Recognition Other fitness initiatives Academic & other impacts Education & advocacy Resources & funding Technology Recognition Other fitness initiatives Academic & other impacts Education & advocacy Resources & funding Technology Themes (cont’d)

6. Sterling City Elementary School (TX) Increased PE K: extra 30 minutes of PE/per day = 250 minutes/week 1-5 grades: extra 25 minutes of PE/day = 275 minutes/week Teachers schedules changed; more time for planning; minor adjustments made to the existing schedule (slight reduction in class times) Principal a driving force; support from parents, school board, superintendent

7. Franklin Special School District (TN) Maintained PE One ES started with 30 min. PE/day; over a 5 year period (starting in early 80’s), PE staff were employed to provide 30 min. PE/day in all 5 ES As enrollment increase, so does PE staff ES Principal initially advocated for expansion to all ES Parents now expect daily PE in ES One school is TN demonstration school for TAAHPERD and TN dept. of ed Another school is NASPE 3-stars school

8. Franklin, TN

9. Waterville Junior High School (ME) Increased PE PE minutes increased from 84 to 112/ week Extra minutes provided by adjusting schedule and reducing class time for a course that met as a double block course. PEP grant provided impetus to increase PE minutes Junior High PE teachers led the charge; met with School Health Coordinator to design new course curriculum Other support from principal, parents, students, superintendent New fitness facility at HS raised awareness

10. Waterville, ME

11. Turkey Creek Middle School (Plant City, FL) Maintained PE 50 min/day STARS school since 2004 Technology tracks fitness level; reports to students/parents FIT nights involve comm. $$ from PE4Life Press helped raise awareness Program at risk now

12. Great Falls Elementary School (SC) Increased PE PE time for K-5 th grade students was increased from 45 to 90 minutes per week PE time added by adhering to official dismissal time of 2:35pm instead of the unofficial, but more common time, of 2:20pm, and by modifying the schedule (reducing computer time) Part time PE teacher was hired to teach all PE classes Principal & staff supported changes; PTO provided $12,000 for equipment

13. Neuqua Valley High School (Naperville, IL) Maintained PE All students (grades 9-12) receive 360 min. PE/week each year In place since high school opened School Dept Chair strongest advocate Supportive staff at the school and district level Support and funding at school district level Other funding provided by coaches, PTSA, booster club Program in place for a long time which helps it be widely accepted Program improvements constantly being made through new technologies, updating equipment, and identifying best practices

14. Building Your Advocacy Plan Advocacy versus Lobbying

15. Key Components to an Advocacy Plan What are you after Get it together Who are you after What’s needed from each influencer How will you do it What do you need Know your competition Develop a timeline Measure success Advocate, advocate, advocate…

16. Happy Feet Elementary School Increase PE from 60 minutes per week to 90 minutes per week Pilot ES to determine if county-wide implementation is doable