Nutrition and Wellness

North Star Academy is committed to providing its students with an environment that promotes health and exercise.

Nutrition and Wellness Policies adopted by North Star Academy

North Star Academy Charter School of Newark recognizes that child and adolescent obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States and that poor diet combined with the lack of physical activity negatively impacts on students’ health, and their ability and motivation to learn. North Star Academy is committed to:

  • Providing students with healthy and nutritious foods;
  • Encouraging the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat milk and whole grains;
  • Supporting healthy eating through nutrition education;
  • Encouraging students to select and consume all components of the school meal; and
  • Providing students with the opportunity to engage in daily physical activity.

All reimbursable meals shall meet Federal nutrient standards as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Program regulations. All items served as part of the After School Snack Program shall meet the standards as outlined within this policy.

The following items may not be served, sold or given out as free promotion anywhere on school property at anytime before the end of the school day:

  • Foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) as defined by U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations;
  • All food and beverage items listing sugar, in any form, as the first ingredient; and
  • All forms of candy

North Star Academy shall reduce the purchase of any products containing Trans fats. (Federal labeling of Trans fats on all food products is required by January 1, 2006.)

All snack and beverage items sold or served anywhere on school property during the school day, including items sold in a la carte lines, vending machines, snack bars, school stores, and fundraisers or served in the reimbursable After School Snack Program, shall meet the following standards:

  1. Based on manufacturers’ nutritional data or nutrient facts labels:
    1. No more than 8 grams of total fat per serving, with the exception of nuts and seeds
    2. No more than 2 grams of saturated fat per serving
  2. All beverages shall not exceed 12 ounces, with the following exceptions:
    1.  Water
    2. Milk containing 2 percent or less fat
  3. Whole milk shall not exceed 8 ounces.

In elementary schools:

  • 100 percent of all beverages offered shall be milk, water, or 100 percent fruit or vegetable juices.

In middle and high schools:

  • At least 60 percent of all beverages offered, other than milk and water, shall be 100 percent fruit or vegetable juices.

Food and beverages served during special school celebrations or during curriculum related activities shall be exempt from this policy, with the exception of foods of minimal nutritional value as defined by USDA regulations.

This policy does not apply to:

  • medically authorized special needs diets pursuant to 7 CFR Part 210;
  • school nurses using FMNVs during the course of providing health care to individual students; or
  • special needs students whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP) indicates their use for behavior modification.

North Star Academy’s curriculum shall incorporate nutrition education and physical activity consistent with the New Jersey Department of Education Core Curriculum Standards.

North Star Academy is committed to promoting the Nutrition Policy with all food service personnel, teachers, nurses, coaches and other school administrative staff so they have the skills they need to implement this policy and promote healthy eating practices. North Star Academy will work toward expanding awareness about this policy among students, parents, teachers and the community at large.

Wellness Policies

Student Health Documents

School Nurse Contact Information

Alexander Street Elementary School
Rosemary Paul
rpaul@northstaracademy.org

Fairmount Elementary School
Cherie McPherson
cmcpherson@northstaracademy.org

Liberty Elementary School
Cherie McPherson
cmcpherson@northstaracademy.org

Vailsburg Elementary School
Marleyne Tronchin, RN
mtronchin@northstaracademy.org

West Side Park Elementary School
Kruti Shah, MSN, RN
kshah@northstaracademy.org

Clinton Hill Middle School
Damaris Sabio
dsabio@northstaracademy.org

Downtown Middle School
Rashidah Garrett-Hall
rgarretthall@northstaracademy.org

West Side Park Middle School
Cherie McPherson
cmcpherson@northstaracademy.org

Vailsburg Middle School
Marleyne Tronchin, RN
mtronchin@northstaracademy.org

Washington Park High School
Rashidah Garrett-Hall
rgarretthall@northstaracademy.org

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