Breakfast program a team effort in Repulse Bay
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Repulse Bay (May 09/01) - Students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay have the opportunity to get a healthy start to each and every school day.
Teacher Carmie MacLean says a community proposal for the Tusarvik School Breakfast program was accepted and funded through Brighter Futures.
The funding allowed for one person from the community, Godelieva Putulik, to be hired to order food and co-ordinate the program.
MacLean says two teachers volunteer on a rotating basis throughout the entire school year to help with the program's delivery each week.
She says students are offered a variety of breakfast foods, including hot and cold cereals, fruit, juice, toast and cereal or fruit bars.
"The numbers vary from week to week, but we service on average between 50 to 80 students every morning," says MacLean.
"We start around 8:20 a.m. and stop serving when the first bell rings at 8:50 a.m."
The program runs Monday to Friday and is open to all school students.
MacLean says there's even a handful of students who volunteer their time to help out with cleaning and setting out the food.
She says starting off the day with a healthy breakfast helps students learn better, and it pays other dividends as well.
"The nutritional component is very, very important.
"However, besides the fact starting off with good nutrition is a good way to kick-start the brain every morning, it also has the side benefit of encouraging good attendance and cutting down on tardiness.
"Students get up to come and have a nice nutritious breakfast, and then they're here for school, on time and ready to go."
