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Meet Michelle Rawcliffe, CATCH Curriculum & Content Manager
February 17, 2025  | By Hannah Gilbert

The importance of high-quality and relevant professional development for educators Michelle Rawcliffe, MPH, an accomplished health educator with over 25 years of experience at the school, district, and state levels understands that health education is a rapidly evolving field and […]

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Newly Announced CATCH India Initiative will Increase Physical Activity among Indian Youth
February 13, 2025  | By Eileen Kitrick

The globally-supported and locally-driven CATCH India initiative will help address India’s rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by setting youth on a trajectory toward positive lifelong health. Today, at the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, representatives from […]

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Implementing Effective Health and Physical Education Programs in Schools
January 29, 2025  | By CATCH Global Foundation

Supporting Education Standards Alignment, and Legislative and State Requirements The high-quality of our coordinated school health and wellness programs is driven by a commitment to supporting national and state education standards and requirements of recently passed legislation. In addition to […]

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School Community of Practice Impact in Texas
January 21, 2025  | By Hannah Gilbert
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$50,000 in Grant Funding to Support Whole Child Wellness Initiatives

“Participating in the School Community of Practice has been an incredible source of inspiration, fueling my passion for advancing health and wellness in my district. This network provides invaluable resources, fresh ideas, and a supportive group of collaborators. With their guidance and encouragement, I gain the knowledge and confidence to make a meaningful impact on the students and families I serve.”

-Veronica Cuellar
Health, Wellness, and PE Coordinator for Del Valle ISD


Building on the success of our School Community of Practice in partnership with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center that brought together school district leaders from Houston and Austin, we have expanded this school year to the Rio Grande Valley thanks to the generous support of the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation.

With these two great partners by our side, our School Community of Practice serves as an ongoing collaborative and interactive professional network for health and physical education leaders who are dedicated to advancing best practices in whole child wellness.

“The meetings have provided a critical space for districts to come together and collaborate as well as receive support and resources. It has been an exciting opportunity to watch the districts learn and grow as they promote a culture of health for their communities,” notes Terrence Adams, MS, Program Manager for Be Well Communities™.

School Community of Practice participants have the opportunity to apply for a $5,000 grant to support their school district’s envisioned health and wellness initiatives. For the 2024-2025 school year, we are excited to award a total of $50,000 in funding to 11 schools through our partnerships. School recipients include Fort Bend ISD and Pasadena ISD (Houston region), and Del Valle ISD, Cedars International Academy, Manor ISD, San Marcos CISD, Seguin ISD, and Wimberley ISD (Austin region), and Brownsville ISD, Edinburg CISD, and Point Isabel ISD (Rio Grande Valley region).

Each funded district is completing a unique project to support whole child wellness. Several examples include connecting students and their caregivers to nature and nutrition through community garden initiatives, hosting community-wide health and wellness events, and leveraging technology through heart rate monitors to encourage active participation in physical activities.

With 12 School Community of Practice meetings planned across the regions this school year, we look forward to witnessing each leader grow further, both professionally and personally, in their commitment to school-wide health and well-being.

To learn more or partner in our School Community of Practice, please contact us at [email protected].

Hear from our School Community of Practice participants


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