The nutrition program offered at Souris School has grown a lot since it was introduced five years ago, and includes a breakfast program for all students and a cooking program, Rotary Club members heard in a presentation on Thursday.
Shannon Seitz spoke about how far the program has come, noting they are working with a nutritionist and a public health nurse in developing the program.
Souris now offers a free breakfast program to any student who wants it, and they have students learning about the Canada Food Guide, looking at the areas where they can supplement their diets.
The school has partnered with the Salvation Army’s food bank, and are hoping to avoid any doubling up with the food bank and the school program.
The school is working with families on such areas as budgeting, plus Seitz has established a couple of clubs for children, including a baking club on Mondays, and a sports club on Tuesdays.
“We have a lot more parents coming in to help us too. The school atmosphere has really changed,” said Seitz, noting they get between 60 and 75 children each morning for the breakfast program.
Some parents make donations to the program if they’re able to, but donations aren’t required if they are not able to give anything. Seitz noted a breakfast costs about $1.24 per child with food from three food groups, and the snack program costs $1.14 per child. For the snack program, they use up 75 hard-boiled eggs and 20 pounds of carrots every week.
One of the biggest changes at the school has been the volunteerism by families as they are more comfortable about coming to help out, said Seitz.
“We’re always looking for volunteers, including retired teachers who come in to help,” Seitz said to the club members, noting some volunteers just come in to read to students since they’ve been cut back on educational assistants.
The school is working towards improving results for Grade 3 reading and Grade 5, as they prepare the students for moving on to Grade 7 at the Weyburn Comp, she added.
A Rotary member noted that Souris will be closing in about three years’ time, with construction of the new elementary school on Fifth Street, and asked if this program will be carried over.
“Yes, all programs that are at the schools now will move over,” said Seitz, noting she is asking for the same grants that larger schools in Regina are getting, with schools there generally being funded for anywhere from 250 to 500 students.
Asked if there is any connection with the Family Place in their programs, Seitz said they do partner with them for some things, but generally they work with preschool children who are six and under, so this will include students who have younger siblings.
