Page 8 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - May '21

Page 8, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Connections Education Center Of The Palm Beaches’

Health And Wellness Program Thrives

Thanks In Part To BallenIsles

Charitable Fund And The

Palm Beach County Youth
Services Department

Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches is
thankful for the BallenIsles Charitable Fund’s continued
support during this challenging and unique school year as
well as Palm Beach County Youth Services Department.
Connections is a nonprofit, Title 1 charter school in West
Palm Beach that provides quality programs for students on
the autism spectrum or who have related disabilities. Adult program adults are Kyle, Patrick, Zach, Cole, Mattie
Thanks in part to BallenIsles Charitable Fund, Connections Elementary students are Christian, Jaime, and Nico. and Jonathan.
has been able to add Mr. Zachary and Mr. Reese (a recent
graduate of Connections) to the Health and Wellness Team at
Connections. These two exceptional young men’s participation
has enhanced the benefits that the students, staff, and families
receive from the nutrition and fitness programs. And, because
of the continued support and funding from Palm Beach County
Youth Services Department, Connections has been able to
continue with fitness and nutrition lessons at school and was
able to expand the health and wellness program and help the
students and families at home.
Connections’ health and wellness program is an ongoing
initiative that expands and develops as the students, families,
and community need more. All students at Connections
participate in the program. As the students continue to
flourish, it has become increasingly evident that they need
more, as do their families, to increase their quality of life
and overall health. Since the inception of the health and
wellness program at Connections, students have made
remarkable advances in their gross motor skills, water
safety awareness, and knowledge of healthy foods, as seen
in their pre- and post-assessments each month for the last
three years. According to the school’s annual report, 98
percent or more of the students made improvements in the
areas of fitness, aquatics, and nutrition. The data also shows
increased attendance and attentiveness when students are
provided with a mixture of fitness classes led by a health
and wellness program team member and a peer model (an
adult with autism). However, it has become apparent that as
Connections adds students and expands programs, the need
for assistance within the health and wellness program has
also increased. The current national circumstances have also
shown Connections that the families desperately need health
and wellness support.
The new portion of the health and wellness program
incorporates an employed adult with autism leading fitness
classes for students and affords the staff, parents, and families
the opportunity to exercise with a school by a certified
personal trainer and participate in regular health coaching.
At the same time, their child is safely engaged with school.
The Health from Within program has several contingencies
in place in order to deliver services in person and virtually,
depending on the state of the pandemic.
About Connections Education Center Of The Palm
Beaches
Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches has
a growing, ongoing waiting list for children whose parents
are eager to join the warm, family-centered and supportive
environment and experience the school’s state-of-the-art
educational techniques. In addition to its elementary,
middle and high school curriculum that strictly align with
the Florida State Standards Access Points – Connections
Education Center of the Palm Beaches offers a nurturing,
stimulating aftercare program, an exclusive water safety
aquatics program, and a vocational, workforce program.
A strong relationship with community business partners
has allowed Connections to open its doors and begin
preparing young adults for life after graduation through
real world experiences.
To learn more about Connections Education Center of
the Palm Beaches, and/or make a donation, please call (561)
328-6044, or visit www.connectedpb.com.

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