PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  With the kick-off of the new school year, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS) would like to share some information related to healthy eating and healthy lifestyles for school-aged children.

Healthy meals are essential for students to perform their best in school. A well-balanced breakfast and school snacks throughout the day provide the necessary nutrients—like complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats—that support brain function, energy levels, and concentration.

Studies consistently show that children who eat nutritious meals are better able to focus in class, retain information, and maintain consistent energy throughout the day.

Skipping meals or consuming high-sugar, low-nutrient foods can lead to fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating, all of which impact learning outcomes.

Back-to-school season is a perfect opportunity to reinforce healthy eating habits. By introducing a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into daily meals, parents and caregivers help children develop positive relationships with food that extend into adulthood. 

Packing lunches or guiding kids in making balanced choices empowers them to understand the value of nutrition and take ownership of their health.

Here are some tips for children and adolescents: provide healthy breakfast before each school day; don’t leave home without breakfast; serve healthy school snacks to children (whole-grain, vegetables, fruits); promote and encourage the intake of fruits and vegetables. Introduce the children to local fruits e.g., soursop, guava, passion fruit, mango, etc.

Restrict intake of energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods (e.g., packaged snacks); restrict intake of sugar-sweetened soft drinks; ensure an opportunity for family meals; provide information and skills to make healthy food choices.

Beyond academics, healthy meals play a key role in emotional well-being and physical development. Proper nutrition helps regulate mood, supports the immune system, and promotes growth during critical developmental years.

In contrast, poor nutrition has been linked to increased absenteeism, behavioral issues, and chronic health conditions like obesity and diabetes.  Ensuring that every child has access to wholesome, balanced meals is a vital step toward creating a supportive, equitable, and healthy learning environment for all students.

CPS encourages parents and guardians to pack healthy snacks for their children, promote water as the drink of choice and encourage regular physical activity throughout the new school year.  

CPS calls on everyone to continue to work together to build a healthier and enriched community by making positive health choices, because healthy choices lead to healthy children and healthy smiles!

For more information, contact CPS at 542-1122, 542-1222 or 542-3003 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance Party proudly extends congratulations to Mr. Emile Levons on his appointment as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V.

Born and raised in St. Maarten, Mr. Levons has dedicated more than two decades of service to the airport, rising through the ranks with professionalism, perseverance, and proven leadership. His journey from Operations Coordinator to COO stands as a shining example of the talent and capability that exists right here within our community.

Too often, much is said when such positions are not filled by locals. Today, we want to ensure equal attention is given when one of our own achieves this level of recognition. Mr. Levons’ appointment is a source of pride for St. Maarten, and we trust that his leadership will contribute greatly to the continued growth and resilience of Princess Juliana International Airport.

On behalf of the National Alliance, we commend Mr. Levons on this well-deserved achievement and wish him every success in his new role.

Simpson Bay:---  Arrow Restaurant Simpson reaffirms its commitment to excellence by offering its operations team an intensive 3-day, 12-hour workshop designed to strengthen their leadership and management skills within the hospitality sector. This initiative is part of the restaurant’s vision to invest in the continuous development of its staff to ensure high-quality service and a superior experience for its customers.

The program, facilitated by Kenty Lichtenberg, of Be Your Own Brand, focused on key areas such as: leadership fundamentals and team communication, personality styles and their impact on teamwork, conflict resolution and crisis management, strategies for employee motivation, recognition and retention, excellence in customer service, and innovation through artificial intelligence tools applied to the restaurant industry.

During the sessions, participants had the opportunity to reflect, practice, and apply dynamics tailored to their daily roles, which helped reinforce their sense of belonging and encourage effective collaboration. With a practical and interactive methodology, the workshop provided not only knowledge but also immediate tools to improve internal processes and customer care. “Participants, in a highly interactive and hands-on way, were able to resolve real-life case scenarios from their day-to-day operations. At the end of the workshop, they also received a certificate of participation, an element that will continue to foster a mindset of personal development for the Arrow Restaurant team, and of course, add value for their customers,” said Kenty Lichtenberg.

General Manager Maireni Montás highlighted the importance of this type of training: “We trust that these initiatives are fundamental for improving customer service, managing internal processes, and, above all, strengthening each member’s sense of belonging to a team with a vision of progress and growth.” Arrow Restaurant Simpson thus reaffirms its leadership as a reference in local hospitality, betting on the development of its people as the main driver of its success.

“We hope that many smaller / mid-size organizations in the hospitality industry continue to understand the importance of capacity building for their personnel. With the fast developments in technology and operational processes, learning is a key element of business longevity”,  says Kenty Lichtenberg of Be Your Own Brand.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on August 21, 2025.  

The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 17.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Representatives of the WISCU-PSU will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Discussion with the WICSU-PSU regarding urgent matters surrounding the Ambulance Department and Fire Department workers, as was communicated to the President of Parliament at the Parliament Building (IS/1344/2024-2025 dated August 21, 2025) 

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament