Project Polo

A Partnership between Kualapu`u PCS

and Na Puuwai to address childhood
obesity

What is Polo? Polo means Bundle

As a bundle, Kualapu`u Public Charter School and Na Puuwai have
partnered to implement Project Polo - a school-based childhood
obesity early identification and treatment pilot project promoting positive
health changes and lifestyle choices of students in grades K-6 and their
families.

Reducing Childhood Obesity is a major goal of the

Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Polo Project Goals

Goal 1: Reduce the rate of childhood obesity among Native
Hawaiian children through Prevention/Intervention Services
(Kualapu`u and NP services and education)
Goal 2: Reduce the rate of childhood obesity among Native
Hawaiian children through Direct Services Service
Components (Na Puuwai)

What are the 3 elements of Polo?

1. School-wide and whole child focus on student physical
health and wellness and alignment of health with education
a. All students in grades K-6 will participate in Physical
Education 3-4 days per week.
b. School staff will collect student health data including height,
weight, and BMI. through
c. FitnessGram, a national health fitness assessments and
reporting platform, and PE Metrics, used to assess and
track student data and inform instruction. (Parents will get a
report at least semesterly.)

2nd Element of Polo

Increased family engagement, education, outreach and
referral services
a. Health, Nutrition & Behavioral Health/Wellness
Education Curriculum in consort with the schools
PE/Ike Hawaii Program (Newsletters and In school
instruction by NP staff and school staff)
b. Na Puuwai will provide a Registered Nurse and
Dietician to provide Health, Nutrition and Behavioral
Health services

3rd Element of Polo-- Establishing the only

coordinated childhood obesity prevention and treatment
program on the island of Molokai. Direct Services include
Student Health Screening and Assessment--Body mass index
(BMI), weight and height data will be collected on all students in
grades K-6 and assessed for obesity risk factors and other health
indicators.
Student Support Services--Students identified as obese or at risk
of obesity will be referred to the schools Student Support Services
program where students will be monitored and receive counseling,
motivational Interviewing, skill building, family outreach, and, as
needed, referral services for additional resources.

Direct Services Continued- Intervention Team--Students identified as being obese or at risk of

obesity will be assigned to the projects Intervention Team for more
in depth assessment. The Intervention Team, comprised of the
Health Aide, Student Support Services, and PE staff and Na Pu
uwai clinicians, will be responsible for developing individualized
plans including referral for direct health services, and/or clinical
case management.
Case Management The Intervention Team will provide medical,
nutrition and behavioral health case management. More
specialized behavioral health services and clinical case
management will be provided through Na Puuwai clinical services,
if appropriate.

Parent Involvement and Participation

Where do I come in? How am I involved?
You are here at Open House! You are involved and you CARE!
Read our newsletters-- We will be sharing health and nutrition
information in each newsletter.
Take interest in the BMI and Fitness Grams information for your
child.
Attend our quarterly parent workshops--in addition to academic
information, we will be providing health and nutrition information for
you and your family. Evening Parent workshop dates are
scheduled for Thursdays, 5-7pm: August 13, Sept 10th, Nov 15,
Jan 16, February 11, April 14, May 12

Parent Involvement and Participation

continued- Attend our events with special meals-- We are planning to have
a least 4 special meals (lunches or dinners) to show nutritional
value and portion sizes that are aligned with our school food
service program, AND we will use local produce and food items (as
budget and availability allows).
Consider the assistance given to your child, if he/she needs it.
Be assured that participation in receiving any advice or treatment
from our Student Support Team, Intervention Team, and/or referral
to case management is completely voluntary and confidential.
Opt-out: If you wish for us not to share any information about
your child with Na Puuwai, which includes the BMI
information, you may opt-out by writing a note to the school.

What can I do now to raise awareness about health and

fitness to my child?
In school -- Please avoid bringing snacks with empty
calories to school (chips, dried saimin, cookies, etc. are
loaded with sugar). We provide a FREE healthy breakfast,
lunch, and fruit snack daily for each child. (Note: However,
we will not be the food police.)
Participate in PE -- Our students are expected to
participate in PE. If a child brings a doctors note, they are
still expected to participate in PE by walking around the
field. Exercise matters!

Project Polo--a beginning...

Thank you for your
support as we pilot
Project Polo. We
hope a bit of education
and awareness will go a
long way in shaping our
childrens health, and
educational success!