A Parlatino delegation visited Pius X School in Dakota to review the Pius X Healthy School program and its approach to nutrition, school agriculture and student wellbeing.
The visit formed part of meetings of Parlatino’s Commission on Agriculture, Fisheries and Nutrition, according to EA News coverage of the school program.
Students demonstrate practical health lessons
Delegates observed students weighing fruit, reading nutritional information on product labels and learning about balanced diets. Teachers also guided visitors through the school garden, where children help care for plants and harvest local produce including papayas, bananas, plantains and local cucumbers.
The report said the Healthy School initiative is in its third official year. It began after the COVID-19 period with a focus on helping teachers feel healthy and safe, then expanded to support the wellbeing of teachers and students.
Movement and emotional wellbeing are part of the model
A second EA News report from the same visit said parliamentary leader Eduard Pieters presented the school’s Movement and Health work to the delegation.
Pieters highlighted emotional self-regulation and emotional intelligence as part of the broader health model. He also advocated formally anchoring Movement and Health goals in Aruba’s education curriculum and laws under a future PPA administration.
The school said the program has supported resilience, relationships and consideration for others while encouraging students to share health and agriculture lessons with their families.
Sources: EA News — Pius X Healthy School and school agriculture; EA News — Movement and Health presentation
