Repulse Bay (Apr 19/06) - Things are sizzling hot for Tusarvik school's breakfast program in Repulse Bay these days.

The hamlet stepped up about two months ago and gave the school $9,000 to finance the program until the end of the current school year.

Grade 4 student Nicole Nanordluk gives student dietitian Nicole Walter a hand during the breakfast program at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay this past week. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

Now, two student dietitians have arrived from the University of Manitoba to analyze the program and suggest ways to improve it.

This marks the second year Tusarvik has had a student dietitian spend time at the school through a Health initiative.

Principal Leonie Aissaoui says she went on a spending spree shortly after receiving the hamlet's donation to the breakfast program.

"I used the money to buy cereals, milk, pancake mix, syrup - everything we need to run our breakfast program," says Aissaoui.

"When it comes to breakfast food, the school is loaded right now."

Aissaoui says student dietitians Nicole Walter and Lana Pestaluky are evaluating the school's breakfast program.

She says there's always room for improvement, and the goal is to have the students suggest ways to make the program even healthier.

"One thing they suggested is to go half and half with water and milk when making pancake mix.

"We can also add bananas to make it even more healthier.

"I also have them reading all the labels on the food and ingredients to see if we can improve there.

"We try not to give the students too much sugar or artificial ingredients in the food we serve."

Aissaoui says the dietitians have been holding a series of meetings with parents of students in Grades 6 and 7 during their time in Repulse.

She says the two are also working with the kids to teach them how to properly read labels, prepare a menu, cook a meal and invite their parents to eat with them.

"Basically, they're researching food in our community and how our diets can be improved.

"Having them come is a welcome addition to the school and the community in general."