Morning nutrition

Jackie serving pupils while Irene and Pat look on in the back ground

Members of HEDC presenting a cheque to Connaught Public School breakfast program

 

Scrambled eggs and toast, raw vegetables, pancakes, juice, French toast, fruits, cereal, yogurt, milk or even grilled cheese sandwiches. We’ve heard about the benefits of starting the day with a good breakfast; however, not everyone follows this advice.

At the Connaught Public School on Gladstone Avenue, the message is well understood and taken seriously by breakfast monitor Jackie Barratt. That’s why she provides nutritious meals for every pupil; and the children are encouraged but not obligated to have breakfast.

Principle Irene Cameron pointed to the well known fact that children need good nourishment to learn well and make it through the school day. She added that during the provincial testing, the school makes sure all the children have really good meals.

“Even socially, they play better and they’re in a better mood. They can do their physical education better and they have more energy. They are more productive all around, intellectually and physically,” she explained.

It was 8:00 a.m. on a Thursday morning and Barratt, had breakfast ready. The kids trickled in slow at first, but eventually there was lineup. In turn, each child surveyed the spread she had laid out, before making a choice. Barratt greeted each one of them by name as she served them. A couple of older schoolgirls asked individually: “Jackie, can I help you?” She let them help serve.

On that morning, Barratt was handing out cold cereals like Life, Shreddies, and Raisin Bran. She had also put out water melon, honey dew melon and orange slices; as well as, yogurt and milk.

It was a healthy breakfast, high in fiber, low in fat and sugar, but the kids ate it up. The water melon went especially fast and Barratt had to cut some more. “I didn’t think they’d go for the water melon so much,” she said.

She advised them not to take more than they can eat, but some pupils asked for double portions of cereal right away. Others returned for a second helping of fruits or cereal. They socialized as they ate, but the crowd was not as big as usual that morning.

One reason was that the school bus was late. Barratt explained another reason: there was no smell on that morning, and the smell of typical kids’ favourites like grilled cheese, French toast or pancakes draws them in.

A few pupils were still eating when the bell rang; Barratt told them they can finish eating in class, provided they bring the dishes back to the kitchen later.

As the kids headed to class, a parent walked into the kitchen offering to make a donation. She and Barratt entered a dialogue about what would be the best thing to give.

Principle Cameron indicated this is not unusual for parents to do, as many help with and fund raising for the program. “Parents are very happy about the breakfast programs because it’s support for them as well,” she said.

Most of the funding for the program is handled by The Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation – or OCRI for short. Manager of education initiatives, Christine Lauzon-Foley, said OCRI coordinates the breakfast program for all four school boards in the Ottawa area.

145 elementary and secondary schools take part, offering meals to about 10,000 children. Which school gets a breakfast club is up to the school boards and the decision is based on the number of children of low income families attending each school.

Lauzon-Foley said contributions come from a number of sources: The United Way/Centraide Ottawa; Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth services; City of Ottawa; The Food Bank; Breakfast for Learning; St. Vincent de Paul Stores; individuals; plus a few other organizational and cooperate donors.

Visit OCRI’s website at (www.ocri.ca/schoolbreakfastprogram) for more information on partnerships, contributors or to make donations.  

This year, the proceeds from the annual tulip festival put on by the Hintonburg Economic Development Committee were donated to Connaught school’s breakfast program. The idea for making the contribution was put forward by Crystal Veinot, a member of HEDC whose son attends Connaught school. She also volunteers there as well.

Veinot said she was inspired after a series of conversations with Principle Cameron; Barratt’s daughter who teaches at the school and Barratt herself. Veinot learned that the breakfast program has grown considerably since Barratt became breakfast monitor; she learned that Barratt is paid for one and a half hours when she works for three or four.

But Veinot was impressed when Barratt showed her the numbers representing the increase in kids served by the breakfast club and also by the quality of the food. “I think a little of it is that she’s just a wonderful lady; the kids really love her,” Veinot said.

The kids themselves had positive things to say about Barratt and the breakfast club. “Jackie makes the best food. She makes really good grill cheese sandwiches and she makes sure everyone that’s hungry has enough food, so they can have a good day,” a grade five girl said.

The kids also explained how the breakfast club benefits them. “At my place I eat some, but we don’t have a lot of food so the breakfast club is here. It [the food] makes me have more energy and I just like it [the breakfast club] because there are all the good things that I like,” said a grade six boy.

Another grade five girl explained how the breakfast club can benefit a busy family: “Usually I don’t get to eat breakfast at home because I wake up at 7:00 and I have to get ready by 8:00 so I’m really rushed,” she said.

It is important to note that the breakfast club at the Connaught Public School provides more than just breakfast. Barratt also prepares sandwiches for lunch and healthy snacks for children who may have missed breakfast or may become hungry during the day.

Principle Cameron commented that Barratt often volunteers to help with activities outside of the breakfast program. She helps some of the pupils with their math, she reads to the kindergarteners, and she goes on field trips to fulfill the requirement of one adult for every eight pupils.

Cameron also wanted to make a statement of gratitude to all involved with supporting the breakfast program in Ottawa. “I Thank community for all their support; thank you for caring about our children,” she said.

Veinot said she believes Barratt would probably run the breakfast club even if she wasn’t paid anything at all. As for Barratt herself, she had a simple explanation: “I have a job to do and it requires that I do it well. I love coming; I love seeing the kids.”

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