UQSUQTUUQ/GJOA HAVEN
A recycling bin for cans is no longer needed in Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik's Grade 8 class as the students have drastically reduced their pop consumption amidst a school-wide Drop the Pop campaign last month.
This year in Gjoa Haven, the annual campaign featured a school-wide smoothie contest to raise awareness about alternatives to the unhealthy, sugary drinks.
Classes were tasked with finding the most delicious, yet healthy, alternatives to drinking pop, according to student support teacher Jennifer Thompson. Each class submitted smoothies made with its recipe to a panel of judges, vying for the chance to win a class smoothie party.
Recipes included strawberry-banana with chocolate milk, strawberry-banana vanilla yogurt, mango-peach and strawberry-pineapple. Following 353 smoothies served during the week, voting was close so two smoothie party prizes were awarded, said Thompson.
The Grade 8 class's strawberry-banana chocolate milk was a favourite of the judges as was the high school science class's strawberry, banana, and vanilla yogurt smoothie.
Sodas and energy drinks are not conducive to a learning environment and are making students feel sick, said Thompson.
"We had energy drinks and pop go on sale and we had kids going home with stomach aches because they were over-consuming. So I think Drop the Pop is important," she said. "All the classes that helped out were surprised at how easy the recipes were. I've had several requests from people. They want the smoothie recipes. They're very excited about trying it themselves."
The students had a great time and were really enthusiastic about participating, she said. During the week of activities, students drank less pop at the school and teachers found the kids had more focus, said Thompson. Unfortunately, the reduced soda consumption did not last, she said.
"To go and spend $4 on a pop is fine because it's easy to do," she said. "But to go and make your own smoothie, it takes preparation. It's delicious but if it's not readily available then (they'll) just go back to drinking pop."
As for the Grade 8 class, it deserves a special mention since students so drastically reduced their pop consumption that a recycling bin for cans is no longer needed in their room, explained Thompson. Class teacher Kelli Hamson said the recent addition to the classroom of a large water jug with pump and plastic cups with the students' names on it has encouraged them to drink more water.
"We're down to between eight and 10 cans of pop - less than that - every two weeks," she said. "They're encouraged to drink as much water as they like throughout the day and as little or no juice and pop as possible in the room."
She said she was surprised how quickly the students caught on to going for water if they're thirsty. If a water jug with a pump could be installed for every class in the room, Hamson said soda consumption would be down.
Since her class has started drinking less pop, she said stomach aches and headaches are much less common.
