PENHOLD – More students in Penhold are now starting their day with a healthy breakfast.
A nutrition program that began in several schools as a pilot in 2016-17 and at Penhold Elementary School in 2017-18, has now expanded to include two additional schools in Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) in 2018-19.
Students at Jessie Duncan Elementary School in Penhold and Gasoline Alley Career High School now have access to a nutritious meal every day.
"This is the second year that Chinook's Edge has been involved in the program," said Jason Drent, division principal with CESD. "The purpose of the pilot was to determine viability (of the program).
"It is now in three locations in our school division," he added.
The nutrition program is provided through a grant from the Alberta government.
"(The Career High School) was important for the program because it did focus in on a unique demographic of our population that are not necessarily in a traditional school," said Drent. "We wanted to make sure they were supported as well."
Drent said the grant itself is $165,000 and was expanded this fall to support the second and third locations. The grant covers staffing needs to ensure all students have access to a nutritious breakfast, he added, noting the program follows the Alberta nutrition guidelines for children and youth.
Lisa Keeler is the nutrition coordinator at all three CESD schools in the program. She plans and prepares food items for students every day.
“We have four food groups for each student,” said Keeler. “They come into their classroom and there’s a bin with each item in it. They’re free to choose from whatever they like.”
Breakfast often includes something from each food group, such as a piece of fruit; a bagel, cereal or muffin; and yogurt or cheese, which acts as both a dairy and protein item.
Several students help Keeler with the meal preparation, she noted.
“They help me wash fruit, count things and put them into bins or help unpackage things,” said Keeler, adding that students also have access to food and snacks throughout the day. “I put out a cart in the hall for everybody to help themselves throughout the day. There’s always food available.”
Drent noted close to 30,000 students in the province in 62 school divisions are now part of the provincial nutrition program and receive a grant each school year.
"There is clear research that kids that have a healthy, nutritious meal are more focused in the classroom,” said Drent. “They are more attentive and they get a head start on their learning. That's important."
