Every student at Westglen School in Didsbury took part in a lively iron chef competition, to celebrate the grand re-opening of their modernized kitchen space.
The Grade 5-8 school is one of only four schools chosen in Alberta to receive the $25,000 Breakfast for Learning Social Impact Grant through the President's Choice Children's Charity, and the only school outside of Calgary and Edmonton. The donors were impressed by Westglen School's dual priorities of addressing both healthy eating and a positive social environment.
"The school's approach allows each of their students to begin the day on equal footing," said Kristen Wilson, Regional Manager with Breakfast for Learning. "Westglen's proposal shows an estimated 100, or 30 per cent of students may be arriving to school without breakfast, and staff know that well-nourished children are better able to focus and concentrate on their school work. But beyond the lifelong habit of healthy eating that they are learning, Westglen students also benefit enormously from the opportunity to experience positive social interactions through the program. The students provide much needed assistance in the school's large breakfast program each day, but they also benefit from the opportunity to begin each day in a positive role as valued, contributing members of their school environment. It's a winning program in every way."
Breakfast for Learning has been underway at Westglen School since 2004, which is one of the longest-running breakfast programs in Chinook's Edge. The $25,000 grant allowed the school to upgrade major appliances, and to revamp and reorganize the kitchen space to be more accessible and less disruptive to the nearby classrooms.
"By our estimates, we have served almost a quarter of a million breakfasts!" said Principal Carolyn Massel. "But our Breakfast Program is as much about fostering relationships as it is about ensuring a proper meal for all our students. Through the grant we have redesigned the space to be a true gathering spot for students to enjoy their breakfast in a positive social atmosphere. We have seen attendance improve this year among the Grade 8 students who run the program, because they have a leadership role in the program and are glad to be giving back. They are learning meaningful life skills, expanding their confidence in interacting with others, and increasing their circle of friends - all while sharing a healthy meal together."
The iron chef competition brought together all of the 300-plus students at the school to prepare a healthy and appealing snack from the items given. Also competing' were Kristen Wilson from Breakfast for Learning and Peter Skokan from No Frills in Olds, which supports the program through President's Choice Children's Charity. The event was organized and judged by Grade 8 students who lead the Breakfast for Learning program. Many of them had attended a Healthy Active Schools conference in the fall.
"It was really helpful to us as The Breakfast Team to attend that day because we all believe in being active and healthy, and we have carried on with some of the activities we learned there," said Madisun Holuk, Grade 8. "We have a garden at home, so I have always enjoyed eating healthy. It's great to work as a role model for the younger students and see them discover that some of the things that are healthy for us are also delicious!"
