Wellness & Student Nutrition

Children need to feel healthy and well to maximize their learning potential. That is why the physical and mental well-being of students is one of our top priorities. As such, we offer a range of activities geared toward keeping bodies and minds healthy!

Physical Education

Physical education is an integral part of the general education program, contributing to the wellness, growth, and development of each student. PE classes at NBFA emphasize fitness, coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship.  Students in grades 2-8 participate in PE for one trimester (approximately 11 weeks) at the Cardinal Shehan Center.  Instruction is provided by a certified instructor who provides students with opportunities to improve their overall fitness through drills, cardio exercises, and sports.

New Beginnings Family Academy (NBFA) student develops their soccer skills

 Movement 

 Students in grades K-1 take part in a weekly movement class as a part of NBFA's overall health and wellness program. The course develops coordination skills while enhancing harmony of mind, body, and spirit. In movement class, children dance, tap, leap, and skip to music as they display a response to rhythm through choreographed or spontaneous motion.  Working under a certified educator, an experienced dance/movement instructor guides the children learn to move in unison or with spontaneity to selected musical pieces that mirror the academic unit's themes/central messages.

PE classes at NBFA emphasize fitness, coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship. 

Healthy Food Policy

The food children consume directly impacts their ability to learn and develop. That is why NBFA’s commitment to the  whole child extends beyond the classroom and into the kitchen, where our dedicated nutrition professionals prepare  healthy breakfasts and lunches every day!

In addition to increasing access to quality foods, we also want to keep processed junk foods out! Not only is the consumption of nutrient deficient foods related to a range of physical, behavioral, and emotional problems, but some of these processed products are made in factories with nuts, which put a number of our students at significant risk due to allergies.   Please speak to your children about the importance of food safety and discourage them from bringing junk food to school.

     Organic fruits and veggies served during our garden opening                         

Meal Policy Overview 

Our school is committed to providing nutritionally balanced, high quality meals for all our students. In order to achieve this, NBFA participates in the United States Department of Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) food program. The CEP program will provide free breakfast and lunch to every student at NBFA regardless of family income. Parents will continue to have the option to send healthy meals. Please check our website to see updated menus. Please remember that NBFA is a nut-free school.

Health and Wellness Policy 

NBFA discourages any student from bringing junk food to school, including candies, cookies, chips, sugary drinks, and other unhealthy processed food. All celebration foods should set a positive example for our students and fit within the state’s guidelines for our Health and Wellness Policy.

Birthdays and Other Celebrations 

Birthday celebrations are limited to one per month in each classroom. All birthdays in a given month will be celebrated on the same day.  Please consult with your child’s teacher regarding a date for your child’s birthday celebration.  There will be a maximum of 2 guests allowed per student.  We encourage parents to send foods that are healthy and nutritious.  A list of ideas for non-food celebrations is available to parents and teachers at the front office.