Healthy Foods Initiative & Policies

Highpoint is committed to helping improve the Mental and Physical Health and Wellness of our students and our families!

At Highpoint, an important part of our school culture is encouraging families to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle—one that includes nutritious eating, regular exercise, and mindfulness practices. We want our students to grow up with strong bodies, bright minds, and happy hearts, empowered to make positive, lifelong choices for their well-being.
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Thank you for continuing to support our Healthy Foods Initiative. Below, you will find a helpful guide with recommended snack ideas, celebration options, and our approved vending machine list. Our goal is to promote whole, nourishing foods that support students’ focus, energy, and overall wellness both inside and outside the classroom.
​Recommended Snacks & Approved Options
🍎 Fruits & Veggies
  • Fresh fruit cups
  • Fruit kabobs (strawberries, melon, pineapple)
  • Watermelon “pizza” (yogurt + berries)
  • Apple nachos (thin apples + granola)
  • Veggie cups with hummus (carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes)
  • Sliced avocado (salads or paired with hummus)
  • Green salads (spinach, kale, quinoa, peas, carrots; add salmon or lean protein)
​🥪 Snacks & Finger Foods
  • ​Whole wheat mini sandwiches (turkey & cheese)
  • Cheese cubes (cheddar or goat) with whole-grain crackers
  • Baked sweet potato fries​
🥣 Dips & Protein-Packed Options
  • Greek yogurt dip (serve with fruit or whole-grain pretzels)
  • Guacamole & salsa with whole-grain tortilla chips
  • Hummus & pita chips
  • Fresh strawberries dipped in cottage cheese or ricotta
🥤 Approved Drink Options
  • Water
  • Fruit-infused water (orange, strawberry, cucumber)
  • Smoothies (yogurt, banana, berries, splash of low-fat milk & water)
  • 100% fruit juice (must be diluted with water)
  • Zico 100% Coconut Water
  • Aura Bora Herbal Sparkling Water
  • WAJU Natural Strawberry Sparkling Water
  • Spindrift Sparkling Water
  • Caliwater Organic Peach Mango Water
🍓 Healthier Desserts
  • Fresh fruit
  • Yogurt parfaits (Greek yogurt + granola + fruit)
  • Banana “ice cream” (blended frozen bananas)
  • Homemade fruit & yogurt popsicles
  • Dark chocolate–dipped strawberries
⚠️ Allergy Note
Although natural peanut and almond butter are healthy options, we have removed them from our lists due to peanut allergies within our school community.
🥳 SPECIAL OCCASIONS ONLY!
Special Occasions Only: Low-sugar mini muffins, mini cupcakes with minimal white frosting only and free of artificial dyes, small oatmeal cookies, and small sugar-free pops. 

These items must be free of synthetic food dyes, excessive added sugars, and ultra-processed ingredients, and should be kept to modest portions in support of our Healthy Foods Initiative. 
🥨 VENDING MACHINE POLICY
The following are the only snacks and drinks permitted in our vending machines. While these should not replace fresh fruits or whole foods, they do not contain synthetic dyes and limit additives or excessive unhealthy ingredients.
Approved Snacks:
  • That’s It Natural Fruit Bars (Mango, Cherry, Banana)
  • 88 Acres Seed & Oat Bars
  • LULU Plantain Chips
  • TERRA Sweet Potato Chips
  • Siete Potato Chips
  • Kibo Veggie Chips
  • Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers
  • Coconut Oil Sweet Potato Chips
  • Off The Eaten Path Veggie Crisps
  • Herr’s Baked Original Potato Crisps
  • Cassava Strips (Sea Salt)
  • Stacy’s Pita Chips (Simply Naked only)
  • Lay’s Kettle Cooked (40% Less Fat only)
  • Snapz Crunchy Apple Chips
ORGANIC GARDENING CLASSES ARE INCLUDED IN OUR PROGRAM!
​As part of our school’s mission, we strive to teach students from Kindergarten through 8th Grade the value of consuming and enjoying sustainable, plant-based fresh fruits and vegetables. Our Organic Gardening classes, taught by an environmentalist from Florida International University, offer students a meaningful, hands-on learning experience that connects them directly to nature.
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Through this program, students develop environmental awareness, responsibility, and patience as they grow their own healthy foods. The garden serves as a living classroom, integrating lessons across science, math, and nutrition, while fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world and sustainable living practices. By cultivating their own fruits and vegetables, students not only learn where food comes from but also build lifelong habits that promote wellness and respect for the environment.
VALUABLE STUDIES ON UPF's:
PLEASE JOIN OUR "PARENT WELLNESS GROUP" (PWG)
The Parent Wellness Group (PWG) will meet once a month to share ideas that support Highpoint’s wellness initiative. During these meetings, members will collaborate on ways to promote and encourage healthy habits among all Highpoint families, focusing on the Monthly Wellness Topics listed below. Meetings will be held either in person or via Zoom, ensuring that all members can participate conveniently. In addition, all Highpoint parents will be invited to attend monthly presentations and activities designed to inspire, educate, and strengthen our community’s commitment to health and well-being.
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We look forward to getting to working together and getting to know all our members! 
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PWG CO-CHAIRS:
Mrs. Yaglin Sensat Medina
Mrs. Sachy Gordillo
​ 🚫​ "Ultra-Processed Foods" Are Not Permitted
Since healthy eating is an important part of our school’s mission, we strongly discourage students from bringing ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in their lunch boxes. Ultra-processed foods are highly manufactured items that typically contain multiple additives, preservatives, artificial flavors, synthetic dyes, and excessive added sugars.

As part of our commitment to teaching and modeling healthy habits, the following items are not permitted at on-campus events, birthday celebrations, or school field trips: soft drinks, sugary juices, regular cupcakes with dyed frosting, donuts, packaged desserts, frozen meals, or candy of any kind.

While we sincerely appreciate the generosity of our families, any ultra-processed food or drink items sent to school will be returned home. Thank you for your understanding and for partnering with us to promote healthier choices for all students.
THESE ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS (UPF) CONTAIN EXCESSIVE ADDITIVES, PRESERVATIVES, CORN OILS, SYNTHETIC FOOD DYES/COLORINGS, ADDED SUGARS, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CANOLA OIL, or EXCESSIVE SODIUM. These ingredients may affect their health, their energy levels, their focusing and their concentration.  
These include:
  • Soft drinks
  • Fruit Drinks
  • Processed meats (e.g., hot dogs, chicken nuggets)
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Instant coffee
  • Margarine 
  • Instant noodles
  • Packaged snacks (e.g., chips, cookies)
  • Frozen meals​
  • Ready Meals
  • Frozen Meals
  • Instant soups
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These food dyes and colorings listed below have been linked to numerous health concerns and illnesses, particularly in children and sensitive individuals:
​Synthetic Food Dyes to AVOID!
1. Red 40 (Allura Red AC) -is Linked to hyperactivity, allergies, and possible immune system issues. Found in soft drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks, Fruit Loops, Trix, CapN Crunch Cereals, Skittles, Starburst and Gummies, Doritos, cheese-flavored chips, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, donuts, Pop Tarts, certain Frozen Treats.
2. Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) - May cause hyperactivity and allergic reactions, particularly in those sensitive to aspirin. Found in sugary sodas, Sports/Energy drinks, Doritos, Cheetos, Mac and Cheese, M & Ms, Gummies, Donuts, Sour candies and Cake mixes.
3. Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) - Has been associated with potential allergic reactions and hyperactivity. Found in cheese-flavored snacks, sodas and fruit-flavored drinks, Sports/Energy drinks, Cupcakes, Donuts, Puddings and Gelatin Desserts, Processed Cheese products.
4. Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) - Some studies suggest it may affect nerve cells. Found in Sports/Energy drinks, blue colored cake and cupcake icing, ice pops and Slushies, some medications and supplements 
5. Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) - Some animal studies indicate potential cancer risks. Found in colored candy and gum, certain ice creams and fozen desserts, processed snacks and chips.
6. Green 3 (Fast Green FCF) - Less commonly used but has been linked to bladder tumors in animal studies. Found in green jellybeans, candy (such as M & M's), gum, sports drinks and certain ice creams.

Natural but Potentially Harmful Colorings:
1. Caramel Coloring (Class III & IV) - Found in soft drinks and processed foods, may contain 4-MEI, a potential carcinogen.
2. Titanium Dioxide (E171) - Used in candies and processed foods, including cakes and cupcakes, has raised concerns about gut health and inflammation.
3. Annatto - A natural dye from the achiote tree, but some people experience allergic reactions to this.

Better Alternatives to add color to foods:
1. Beet juice (for red/pink)
2. Turmeric (for yellow)
3. Spirulina (for green/blue)
4. Paprika or annatto (for orange)
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Highpoint Academy, Inc.
Main Campus and Administrative Offices
​12101 S.W. 34th St.
​Miami, Fl. 33175 
Phone: (305) 552-0202
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  www.highpointacademy.com

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