Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Nov 09/05) - If you make it to school by 8:20 a.m. in Baker Lake, you will face the day on a full stomach.

For three years, the staff at the school has been serving breakfast to students, and they can see the result.

"You can tell the difference between a contented child with a full stomach and a restless hungry child," said Pippa Gamage, the physical education teacher at Jonah Amitnaaq school.

Gamage runs the breakfast program and has been since she arrived in Baker Lake three years ago.

"We get between 65 and 80 kids, depending on the week," said Gamage.

She described the menu as "a bit of everything", but all healthy food. Oatmeal, bran muffins and fruit juice are all on the menu.

Every second Friday is a big day at the school: Pancake day. Each teacher volunteers to run one pancake breakfast a year and the program attendance goes up on those days.

There was concern at first when the number of diners dropped off last year, due to a shift in scheduling. Prior to then, kids were served breakfast in their homeroom class. Now, they have to arrive at 8:20 a.m. so that they are done and at their desks when the bell rings at 8:45 a.m.

The numbers have recovered a little this year, now that parents have become accustomed to the earlier start, she said.

"It is better this way, it targets the kids who really need it," said Gamage.

There are eight teachers and staff who play a big role in the breakfast program. Students do not have to pay, the group receives funding from two different programs.