This year, the staff at Nesbitt Elementary School in Montreal, Quebec, decided to break the routine of serving cold breakfast food items that they had adopted while COVID-19 restrictions were in place. They wanted to see if they could switch back to a hot breakfast while maintaining an in-class service model.  

In September 2022, Nicholas Romano, principal of Nesbitt Elementary School, approached breakfast program volunteer Francesca Lasala to discuss the possibility of offering students a hot breakfast. With Francesca’s open-mindedness, determination and strong team of fellow volunteers, they were able to change their menu while still serving breakfast in class. 

With the support of Principal Nicholas Romano, Francesca Lasala and her team of volunteers came up with a menu featuring waffles, scrambled egg tortillas and grilled cheese sandwiches. The breakfast is prepared before school starts and then delivered to each classroom by bin while everything is still warm.   

The team has gotten off to a great start thanks to volunteers Danielle, and husband-and-wife pair Claudette and Denis, who have been helping out for a few years now. Randstad employees are also pitching in this year by sending employees to volunteer every two weeks.  

When asked for advice about getting enough volunteers, Francesca said, “Send an email to parents! Try it! You just need to stress that their presence needs to be consistent.” Francesca also creates a positive climate for her volunteers and puts a lot of effort into how the breakfast appears in the bin. As she puts it, “A good presentation goes a long way!” 

Francesca sees the value in enriching the breakfast program as much as possible. “Before entering the classroom, the students can already smell what’s on the menu. They get so excited about it!” she said, adding, “The most rewarding thing for me is having the kids say ‘thank you’ during the day. Once they came to the breakfast room while I was cleaning and a girl said, ‘Thanks for everything you do to make sure we eat in the morning.’” 

Advice for switching to a hot menu 

The Nesbitt teachers agree: breakfast in class is no different from snack time. It’s a calm period during which students get the chance to start the day with a healthy meal. It gives teachers time to look at their agendas for notes or end-of-day changes. They all have their routine, clean up their spaces and bring back the class bin.  

If you need support, talk to your BCC coordinator! At Nesbitt, Francesca worked with her coordinator to adjust the original menu of pancakes and oatmeal, which they could sense might be too much to manage all at once, to something that was more manageable but just as delicious and nutritious!  

Welcome back, students! Welcome back, teachers! AND let’s not forget the support staff, volunteers and all those who make your school’s breakfast program possible! Collaboration is often the key to a successful program and we are grateful to see so many hard-working individuals on the ground at every school serving up breakfast. Remember, YOU are Breakfast Champions!

 

In the spring, we were thrilled to see so many schools take part in the Club’s Breakfast in Unison event. Your participation created a wave of recognition for all our Breakfast Champions from coast to coast to coast. In June, Jocelyn Dudley, one of our program coordinators, was lucky enough to attend a virtual Breakfast in Unison with Riverside Public School in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The event highlighted the contributions of six staff members who graciously prepare and serve breakfast daily. It was also an opportunity to acknowledge and express gratitude to two community partners, Save-On-Foods Prince Albert and the Prince Albert Food Bank. During the event, we heard from students and teachers about the importance of the daily breakfast program.

Here are some quotes that were shared.  

From students: 

“It helped us taste different things we haven’t had before.” 

“It got rid of the rumble in my tummy.”

“It helped me wake up a little bit more.”

“It made me not talk loud and concentrate on my work and be good.”

“When you eat food, it makes you big and strong.”

 

From teachers: 

“A lot of my students rely on this food program. Breakfast first thing in the morning creates happy students with full tummies and full hearts ready to learn. There would be more setbacks in behaviour if students were hungry.” 

“I can say that when my students are not hungry, they are more willing to participate in class activities! They almost all come to school without breakfast. They are hungrier and they often ask for that second snack in the afternoon. I appreciate the food very much!” 

“Parents often comment that they appreciate the provided breakfast and snacks for students, especially with the rising cost of groceries. For many of the children, they either do not have enough in their lunch kit to fill them up or the food they do have provides limited nutritional value.” 

 

A daily school breakfast makes a difference in the lives of these students, teachers and families, and it takes collaboration to make it happen! We encourage you to integrate recognition into your day-to-day and annual calendars. It is never too early to start planning to celebrate your school’s Breakfast Champions! Keep an eye out in upcoming newsletter articles to learn more about creating a culture of recognition in your program.  

 

Maverick School joined Breakfast Club of Canada in December 2021. See what their principal, Jayne Nicholson, has to say about their daily breakfast program.

 

 What is the one thing people need to know about your breakfast program?

The most important thing you need to know about our breakfast program is that students are truly appreciative of the opportunity to enjoy breakfast when they arrive at school! They LOVE smoothies!

What are you most proud of in your breakfast program?

I’m most proud of how the program has been streamlined. Students order their breakfast through a Google Chat with our breakfast program coordinator, and food is delivered right to students’ work area. This began because of COVID, but I think we will keep it in place as it is time-efficient and there is no food waste! I’m also proud and grateful that the additional funds have allowed us to ensure food security over school breaks in the form of food hampers containing non-perishable breakfast items.

 

Is there a student/school staff/community member who has gone above and beyond in your breakfast program?

I’d like to give a shout-out to Alisa Meyer, our coordinator. Lis is kind, caring and efficient! She knows that students value her work, and she is always eager to try new breakfast items to expand our menu and provide variety. On Fridays, she creates a breakfast casserole, pancakes or French toast as a special treat. She is mindful of the budget and keeps our kitchen shiny clean. Our breakfast program is in capable and caring hands. Thank you, Lis!

Special breakfasts: What do students look forward to?

SMOOTHIES! Wow, do they love smoothies! Our smoothies contain a variety of fruits, greens and Greek yogurt to make sure that hit of protein is part of their morning meal. They also love breakfast wraps.

 

Have students asked for specific foods? What are they? Any interesting, unique requests?

We have not had requests for specific foods. Everyday breakfast items include fruit and yogurt, whole wheat toast, oatmeal, low-sugar cereals and, of course, smoothies!

Link to the map: https://bit.ly/3VK6wfG

 

From May 15 to June 16, 2022, over 3,500 breakfast programs from across the country are invited to join Breakfast Club of Canada’s Breakfast in Unison to celebrate the outstanding work of the volunteers and school teams who devote their time and energy to ensure everything runs smoothly and children can get a healthy start to the day. In the weeks leading up to these celebrations, schools and community organizations were asked to nominate a Breakfast Champion whose drive and determination are vital to their program. The result: over two hundred nominees from coast to coast

 

A special thank-you to all our Breakfast Champions from everyone here at BCC for what you do, day in and day out, for the next generation.

 

Quebec

Lasalle Elementary Senior

• Sandra, Collen and Lyncee : Their wonderful contribution to the breakfast program has great impact on the program, school and on the community as a whole. Their overall attitude and spirit while contributing to the program is outstanding.

Gerald McShane Sport Concentration Program

• Kayla : Kayla has been very dedicated and implicated with her tasks as breakfast monitor, she is always on time and when she can’t be there she somehow finds a way to let me know she cant make it. She is a remarkable young lady.

Wejgwapniag School

• Isabella : Isabella unloads the transport each month, removes the food, and puts it away. She works each week to deliver breakfast baskets to each class in the school and helps to place the food in the fridges and shelves of the classroom.
• Maddie: Maddie unloads the transport each month and puts it away. She works each week to deliver breakfast baskets to each class. She’s polite and helpful remaining behind at the end of each shift to ensure that the floor and shelves are clean and tidy.
• Morgan: Morgan unloads the transport each month puts it away. She works each week to deliver breakfast baskets to each class. She goes above and beyond to clean the floors and ensure that each delivery meets the requirements of each grade.
• Anabelle: Anabelle unloads the transport each month puts it away. She works each week to deliver breakfast baskets to each class in the school and helps to place the food in the fridges and shelves of the classroom.
• Alexa: Alexa unloads the transport each month and puts it away. She works each week to deliver breakfast baskets to each class. She is polite and willing to help deliver to the classrooms that are further away from the rest of the younger grades.
• Shyiah: Shyiah unloads the transport each month and puts it away. She works each week to deliver breakfast baskets to each class in the school and helps to place the food in the fridges and shelves of the classroom.
• Melody: Melody unloads the transport each month and puts it away She works each week to deliver breakfast baskets to each class in the school and helps to place the food in the fridges and shelves of the classroom.
• Ryder: Ryder unloads the transport each month and puts it away. He works each week to deliver breakfast baskets to each class in the school and helps to place the food in the fridges and shelves of the classroom.
• Natalie: Natalie took it upon herself to use the left-over food at the end of the month to cook up snacks for the whole school with her grade 7 students. There was no waste and the whole school appreciated her efforts.
• Trudy: Trudy took it upon herself to use the left-over food at the end of the month to cook up snacks for the whole school with her grade 7 students. There was no waste and the whole school appreciated her efforts.
• Rose: Rose noticed two other teachers working to prepare the left-over food at the end of the month and volunteered to help them peel apples for an afternoon. In doing so delicious snacks were provided to the whole school and no food was wasted.

École Mécatina

• Phoenix : Everyday Phoenix shows up with a smile and enough energy to power a rocket ship, shows dedication to learn how to prep foods and encourages the students to try new things, and is a model student on top of all she does volunteering for breakfast club.
• Ava: Ava shows up ready to do good for all the right reasons, her energy is always positive, and she brings a thirst to learn all about healthy eating. Ava’s contribution to breakfast club is a blessing to all the students she serves.
• Harmony: Harmony is the glue that keeps the team together, motivates and drives the team to be our best, always ready to give her time. Breakfast club is only the start of her day, and she makes every student she comes in contact with feel special.
• Karen: Karen’s continuous dedication to the students of Mecatina is noticed by her peers, always ready to assist in the mornings and has taken the time to engage with each one, breakfast is important to her and she is important to Mecatina school.

John F Kennedy Elementary School

• Debbie Kalivrousis: Debbie is always willing to step up to the plate when it comes to the “special” breakfast days. i.e., making grilled cheeses, pancake day etc. Nothing is ever too difficult. The breakfast program runs flawlessly because of her.

Sainte Agathe Academy

• Claire: Claire is my go-to person if someone is absent., always willing to come in last minute, and emergency situations. Annabel and Louis Etienne (her grandchildren and students) come regularly to lead a helping hand.

Heritage Elementary School

• Pauline: Pauline has been dedicated to the breakfast program for over 15 years. She shows up everyday, to help serve and prepare breakfast. Pauline shows kindness to all she meets. Our breakfast program wouldn’t be possible without her.

Laurentian Elementary School

• Maddyson: Maddyson helps every day with the Breakfast Program. She is always enthusiastic and has the hard job of bringing the breakfast bins to each classroom. She is only in Grade Two but she already shows leadership skills and responsibility.
• Jordan: Jordan is a Grade 4 student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program each and every day. She has the hard job of carrying the bins all over the school. She is a leader and is a responsible student.
• Lexie: Lexie is a grade four student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program each and every day. She has the hard job of carrying the breakfast bins to each classroom. She is a leader and a responsible student.
• Felix: Felix is a grade four student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program each and every day. She has the hard job of carrying the breakfast bins to each classroom. She is a leader and a responsible student.
• Adriana: Adriana is a grade two student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program once a week. She has the hard job of carrying the breakfast bins to each classroom. She is a leader and a responsible student.
• Liam: Liam is a grade five student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program once a week. He has the hard job of carrying the breakfast bins to each classroom. He is a leader and a responsible student.
• Estelle: Estelle is a grade two student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program a few times a week. She has the hard job of carrying the breakfast bins to each classroom. She is a leader and a responsible student.
• Laurence: Laurence is a grade three student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program each and every day. She has the hard job of carrying the breakfast bins to each classroom. She is a leader and a responsible student.
• Elyse: Elyse is a grade four student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program once a week. She has the hard job of carrying the breakfast bins to each classroom. She is a leader and a responsible student.
• Jeanne: Jeanne is a grade five student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program once a week. She has the hard job of carrying the breakfast bins to each classroom. She is a leader and a responsible student.
• Emma: Emma is a grade six student who chooses to help with the Breakfast Program once a week. She has the hard job of carrying the breakfast bins to each classroom. She is a leader and a responsible student.

Ontario

The Upper Canada Leger Centre for Education & Training

• Laura Luckasavitch: Laura does it all. She shops, sets up, cleans up, and promotes. She never complains. Never asks for help. And shrugs off “thanks”. She is a friend, a mother, a sounding board, a coach, a guardian, and the list goes on.
• Shelly: Shelly is incredible, she works so hard at making sure the students at BCI have wonderful options to eat. She works tirelessly for our students to make sure they can learn on a full stomach.

Renfrew County District School Board-Champlain Discovery School

• Christine: Christine is a force when it comes to her championing of the breakfast club. She is our school contact for all of the Food for Learning communications. She is passionate about supporting our kids and keeping their tummies full!
• Sherry: Sherry is essential to the smooth operation of our breakfast program. Sherry is passionate about feeding our hungry kids and they all love to see her coming down the hall every morning with her trolley of snack baskets.
• Glennda: Glennda is the smiling face of our morning breakfast program each day. Her friendly personality and sunny disposition are a perfect fit when hungry kids get to school to have a snack. She sets them on the right track to have a happy day.

Cobden District Public School

• Sharon: Sharon has been instrumental in organizing the food needs each week and organizing a team to chop and bag vegetables. She works with organizations to source items and is happy to help in any way to help with the nutrition program.
• Shelly: Shelly is incredible, she works so hard at making sure the students at BCI have wonderful options to eat. She works tirelessly for our students to make sure they can learn on a full stomach.

Alberta

Fort Saskatchewan High School

• Cathy: Cathy is there every morning volunteering her time to ensure our students get their breakfast. Even though, other staff man the breakfast cart, she still comes in to help.
• Claudia: Our staff, as part of their supervision schedule, tend to the breakfast cart everyday for a week cycle. As well as serving our students. Greeting students each morning as staff ensures they can start their day off right.
• Kim: Our staff, as part of their supervision schedule, tend to the breakfast cart everyday for a week cycle. As well as serving our students. Greeting students each morning as staff ensures they can start their day off right.
• Makinna: Our staff, as part of their supervision schedule, tend to the breakfast cart everyday for a week cycle. As well as serving our students. Greeting students each morning as staff ensures they can start their day off right.
• Katrina: Our staff, as part of their supervision schedule, tend to the breakfast cart everyday for a week cycle. As well as serving our students. Greeting students each morning as staff ensures they can start their day off right.
• Curtis: As the principal, Curtis enjoys the unstructured time with our students handing out snacks between classes. It’s a different, positive, way to interact with students, let-your-hair-down, atmosphere. The students love to come to the cart when he’s there.
• D’anne: As the assistant principal, D’anne enjoys the unstructured time with our students’ providing snacks between classes. It’s a different, positive, way to interact with students. The students love to come to the cart when she’s there.
• Shonah: Shonah is in the office but whenever we are shorted-handed, or need some assistance, she will take on putting the cart out, so the students don’t miss out. She also ensures that any food orders coming in are properly put away.
• Serena: Serena is in the office but whenever we are shorted-handed, or need some assistance, she will take on putting the cart out, so the students don’t miss out. The ladies in our office are great.
• Barb: Barb is in the office but whenever we are shorted-handed, or need some assistance, she will take on putting the cart out, so the students don’t miss out. The ladies in our office are great.
• Brittney: Brittney will fill in or provide extra help just by asking. Helping at the cart also gives her a different perspective with students. She is always just a text or call away. If items need to be picked up or ordered, she steps up.
• Simone: Teacher staff are cycled through each week. They get the cart ready each morning, it’s like the ‘welcome wagon’ for students as they enter the school. Our students are very appreciative of this service and appreciate that staff do this for them.

Louis St. Laurent School

• Marcelo: Marcelo’s infectious smile and genuine laugh make our Breakfast Club location a place where staff and students gravitate to. Each morning, he organizes our Grab and Go cart and wheels it out to the main foyer.

Kikino School Northern Lights School Division #69

• Kelly: Kelly is a breakfast champion in our school. He greets the students every morning as he goes class to class with his breakfast cart. Kelly is involved in the entire program from menu planning, ordering, receiving, preparation, and distribution.

Lacombe Outreach School

• Meagen: I would like to nominate Mrs K. She goes way above and beyond for our kiddos. She gets ideas and suggestions from them and makes sure they get special days and nutritious food. The students & staff think the world of her, we are so lucky to have her.
• Cayley: I am nominating Cayley for all the hard work and dedication she gives to our meal program. She comes in early to make crisps, muffins etc. so that they are ready when kids arrive. She is truly an amazing person! We all love and appreciate her.

Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Center

• Carrie: Carrie goes above and beyond to meet the breakfast needs of our students at WLC. She is creative with the breakfast program and finds foods that students will enjoy. Carrie is a huge asset to the success of WLC’s breakfast program.

Bentley School

• Susan: Mrs. Owens is an EA at our school and before we received the grant, she came in early every day of the week to make toast for our students and picked up groceries. Without Mrs. Owens this program would not be possible!

West Meadow Elementary School

• Anabelle: Anabelle is a very happy, positive, and caring helper for our Breakfast Program. She is always on time, and goes above and beyond to help make our program run smoothly. She is very kind to all the students and helps start their day with a smile!

Herons Crossing School

• Amanda Crawford: Amanda exceeds all expectations of a parent volunteer at Herons Crossing School for the Breakfast. Amanda is an amazing person, who is very generous with her time and commitment to this program.

John D. Bracco Junior High School

• Don Lakusta: Don organizes all the needed details for our breakfast program and supports staff involvement by providing opportunities for staff involvement and feedback. He goes out of his way to access community supports all while teaching full-time.
• Alisha Spence: Alisha provides the support and direction for our other 2 Breakfast Champions which results in a wonderful team effort that provides an awesome breakfast program that our teachers provide all our students

Light of Christ School (Calgary)

• Queeta: Queeta has been working with the Breakfast Club since September. Queeta is a great ambassador for the Breakfast club at our school and we are lucky to have her. The Breakfast Club has brought a lot to her, and she brings a lot to the Breakfast club.
• Ross: Ross always has a smile on her face when she is delivering the baskets in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon. Teachers have mentioned to me that she is very sweet and polite doing her duties for the Breakfast Club.

Athabasca Delta Community School

• Priscilla: Priscilla prepares and serves a healthy and varied hot breakfast that keeps kids coming back every day. When kids walk in Priscilla greets them with a cheery welcome, a huge smile and often a joke that sets the tone for the day.

Exshaw School

• Wilma Roeterink: Wilma gives all her heart to the staff and students at Exshaw School. She has a positive attitude and is extremely flexible. Wilma loves the students, this is evident in the hard work, hugs, cards and relationships with them.

Medicine Hat High School

• Auriel Heese: Auriel comes in each morning before school starts to prepare breakfast for the student body. She has an outstanding attitude, fun to work with and treats all students with respect.

Granum School

• Sherry: Sherry is integral in the breakfast program in Granum School. She is in constant communication with families and staff to ensure that the program is utilized. Without the efforts of Sherry, the breakfast program would be in serious jeopardy.

Tomahawk School

• Glenda: Glenda B is an Educational Assistant at our school who consistently shows her BIG heart for our students. She wants every student to have a delicious breakfast so that all students can focus on learning. Glenda B is a quiet force of caring.
• Ashlee: Ashlee willingly gives up her time to ensure that our students have a nutritious and delicious breakfast. Equally important, she serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Josie: Josie takes her turn weekly organizing and serving breakfast to our whole school population. Josie serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Eden: Eden takes her turn weekly organizing and serving breakfast to our whole school population. Eden serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Claire: Claire takes her turn weekly organizing and serving breakfast to our whole school population. Claire serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Jasmine: Jasmine takes her turn weekly organizing and serving breakfast to our whole school population. Jasmine serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Hailey: Hailey takes her turn weekly organizing and serving breakfast to our whole school population. Hailey serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Lucy: Lucy takes her turn weekly organizing and serving breakfast to our whole school population. Lucy serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Sierra: Sierra takes her turn weekly organizing and serving breakfast to our whole school population. Sierra serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Sophia: Sophia takes her turn weekly organizing and serving breakfast to our whole school population. Sophia serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Ella: Ella takes her turn weekly organizing and serving breakfast to our whole school population. Ella serves our students with kindness and a welcoming smile that allows all our students to have a great start to their day!
• Morgan: Ms. Lawrence takes time to help students organize and serve a healthy and delicious breakfast to our school population. Our school is certainly so thankful for Ms. Lawrence and all the ways she supports our students!

St Stephen’s Catholic School

• Jeanette: Jeanette works hard everyday to make sure ever student who would like to have a breakfast can have one. She is always willing to get food for students who are late making sure they start their day with a full stomach. She is loved by all the students.
• Kori-Ann: Kori-Ann makes sure every student who comes for a breakfast also gets a warm smile and a “it’s good to see you and have a wonderful day”. Her compassion helps many students feel seen and loved.
• Charlen: Charlen does a lot of prep work and is always there helping put out food and help clean up. Charlen is quiet but always working in the background and giving all the students a smile.
• Leah: Leah works so hard to make the breakfast program a success. She cooks, serves, delivers, does the dishes and always has a smile on her face. Leah will always stop and talk to the students and have a laugh with them. Leah is so valuable to our school.
• Lauraine: Lauraine is a new volunteer who comes a little later in the morning to help with the clean up, prepping for the next day and serving breakfast to any students who may come late. We appreciate all her help.
• Pembina: Pembina has been incredible. It’s wonderful to have community members in the school interacting with students. They are so dedicated and are wonderful role models. We are grateful for the relationships that have developed with all of them.

École Rocky Elementary School

• Pat: Pat walks to our school every Thursday morning to help us out. He comes in the snow, rain, wind, and sunshine. He is a very good helper.
• Glen: Glen always comes with a smile on his face. His worker brings him to our school twice a week. Glen knows the routine of the program as is very good at following it.
• Chantel: Chantel walks to our school to help us every Tuesday morning. She is very good at making the kids smile in the morning and is a very good helper.

École Rocky Elementary School

• Norma: Ms. Denney is a strong supporter of the breakfast program. Ms. Denney treats all students with kindness and respect. All students feel welcome in the breakfast program and look forward to receiving breakfast from her.

École Rocky Elementary School

• Norma: Ms. Denney is a strong supporter of the breakfast program. Ms. Denney treats all students with kindness and respect. All students feel welcome in the breakfast program and look forward to receiving breakfast from her.

British Columbia

Morley Elementary Burnaby 

• Marianne: Marianne ensures that the program runs. She purchases the groceries for the program and gets it started. She is passionate about ensuring that it runs daily, and she advocates for its needs. Without Marianne, this program would not run as it has.
• Marion: Marion is a passionate volunteer. She supports the Breakfast Program daily, working with our high school volunteers, and loves getting to know the children in the program better. She is a caring adult and students feel very safe and loved around her!

Seabird Island Community School

• Deanna: I would like to nominate our Elementary School Cook, Deanna. She has worked with us for 26, has a very caring attitude, she cares deeply about serving our students a healthy breakfast each morning. Our students and staff all love her very much.

Esk’etemc First Nation 549913

• Maria Paul: Maria always smiles and treats all students and staff with grace, empathy, and respect. Seeing her first thing in the morning always provides a great start for our students at the school.

Manitoba

École Beausejour Early Years School

• Trudy Wiebe: Trudy picks up our grocery items from the city every week. This is on average 70-80kms away from our school. If Trudy did not pick up our items we would be going several weeks without in our school.

Wapanohk Community School

• Sarah: Sarah has created a streamline program for breakfast. She searches for the best prices and make sure the students have 3 healthy choices. She makes it a great program. We have gotten community donations for the breakfast program with Sarah’s help.
• Charlotte: Charlotte is a retiree whose grandchildren go to our school. She rarely misses a morning to help with the breakfast preparation. She always has a smile on her face. Others enjoy working with her.

Nelson McIntyre Collegiate

• Mercy: Through thick and thin Mercy has been irreplaceable to this Club and it would be in the gravest error not to recognize her efforts.

Portage Collegiate Institute

• Barb: Barb goes above an beyond to order supplies for our breakfast program.
• Nicole: Nicole goes above and beyond to make the students feel welcomed at our breakfast program.
• Darren: Darren goes above and beyond to make the students feel welcomed at our breakfast program
• Kaitlyn: Kaitlyn goes above and beyond to make the students feel welcomed at our breakfast program.
• Janey:Janey goes above and beyond to make the students feel welcomed at our breakfast program.

Many Faces Education Centre

• Kayla: Kayla consistently provides nutritious breakfasts for the school daily with enthusiasm and kindness. Kayla always provides healthy meals and is creative at helping us get the nutrients we need. We couldn’t offer this amazing program without Kayla!

North Memorial School

• Darla: Darla is a critical member to North Memorial School’s Breakfast & Snack program. Darla goes above and beyond when sharing her time and talent with our school community. Thank you, Darla, for your unwavering support to NMS students.
• Kim: Kim is the coordinator of North Memorial School’s breakfast & snack programs. The programs runs smoothly because of Kim’s exceptional organization and positive attitude toward servicing the students. Thank you for all your organization, Kim!
• Daisy: Daisy is a Grade 6 student at North Memorial School. She was the first Grade 6 student to assist with the breakfast & snack programs. Thank you, Daisy, for your leadership in the nutrition program at NMS!
• Leah: The McCains staff are such a pleasure to work with as they are knowledgeable, upbeat, and friendly. Thank you, Leah & McCains staff, for your positive contribution to the NMS community!
• Alana: Alana is the receiver of the order of groceries for the breakfast and snack programs at North Memorial School. Thank you, Alana, for your support in the NMS breakfast & snack programs!
• Dave: Dave supplies all the milk for North Memorial School’s entire population’s breakfast & snack programs. Thank you, Dave, for your contributions to the NMS breakfasts & snack programs!

ONR School

• Marlene Bob Ross: Marlene helps the breakfast program by making sure foods are distributed. If anything is needed – she does let me know – so I can order for the following week. She is definitely a impact in our breakfast program.
• Burton Ross: Burton goes out of his way to help sure the students have breakfast. They work as a team. Even though they have other duties – they make sure foods are distributed.
• Arnold Ross: Arnold helps with the breakfast program. He makes sure food is ready to go. If one of the team members is missing. A valuable source to have on the team. Good job!

Mikisew High School

• Neena: Neena is very enthusiastic and committed of making breakfast for the school. She wakes up early and is at the school by 6:30am. She cooks healthy and nutritious meals.

New Brunswick

John Caldwell School

• Marco: Marco loves to know that students have a healthy breakfast to start their day. He takes so much pride in the presentation. Marco does this program because he cares about students. A huge shout out to Marco for all that he does!

Centennial School

• Ellen Sargent: Ellen volunteers her time weekly to come in and prepare breakfast items. She is dedicated, and very reliable. Our students love to stop and chat with her, see what she’s cooking and tell her how good things smell. Ellen is an asset to our program.
• Katie Hazen McKay chapter IODE: The Katie Hazen McKay chapter of the IODE have been long time supporters of our school, and in particular our nutritional programming. We are so thankful for all the dedication shown to Centennial School from the Katie Hazen McKay chapter of the IODE

Saskatchewan

Vincent Massey Community School

• Joe Callahan: Joe and his wife Nancy have such an incredible love for children and want to see them have a healthy meal. They go above and beyond to make a connection with the kids. They are extremely reliable and I never have to worry if they are going to show up.
• Nancy Callahan: Joe and his wife Nancy have such a incredible love for children and want to see them have a healthy meal. They both have such a passion to make sure kids never go hungry and the food they are getting is a healthy option.

Humboldt Collegiate Institute

• Yvonne: Yvonne is a teacher that selflessly provides food for our students every single day and has done so for years. Yvonne never asks for praise or recognition but is certainly deserving of any accolade she may receive.

Albert Community School

• Shari: Shari is a food champion for all students at Albert Community School. Her budgeting efforts are amazing. She is organized, an amazing cook and has the most positive attitude. Shari makes Albert School a great place to be!

Jack Kemp Community School

• Kendra: Kendra is a tireless volunteer who organizes, orders and preps food and serves our students daily. She contributes not only her time and energy but also her smile and encouragement to all of our students.

Weldon School

• Ryan: Ryan comes after he’s worked a 12-hour shift and serves breakfast for the kids with a smile on his face. He consistently volunteers his time each month and is so appreciated.
• Tom: Tom and Larry come to our breakfast program every month and enjoy getting out in the community and serving the kid’s breakfast. They’ve been great for our program.
• Larry: Larry comes to serve breakfast with Tom and it’s great that they continually come every month to help us out with our program.
• Jodi: Jodi is able to help usually more than once a month and she is a great addition to our volunteer group. She comes with a smile and positive attitude and makes the room shine around her.
• Donna: Donna has helped quite a bit in the last few years. It’s always nice to have the extra help.
• Laurie: Laurie has been helping this whole school year. Once a month her and two girlfriends get together and do a warm breakfast for the school and it’s so appreciated.
• Judy: Judy comes and serves breakfast once a month with her two girlfriends. She always has a fresh smile for everyone and her help is appreciated!
• Donna: Donna volunteers once a month with her two girlfriends. They make warm meals for the kids that everyone loves! Donna is valued in our breakfast program!
• Tanner: Tanner has just started volunteering with Ryan recently. He comes after his midnight shifts and serves breakfast, then off to bed. We think his dedication is admirable.
• Kathy: Kathy has long been helping the breakfast program. She volunteers multiple times a month where needed. It’s wonderful to have her experience in our kitchen!
• Braden: Braden has a history of helping out in the community and we love that he’s chosen to help our school as well.

Connaught Community School

• Dale: Dale comes in consistently everyday! He is a very hard worker. His help is very much appreciated, and he appreciates the opportunity to volunteer with us! The students love him!

Coronation Park Community School

• Bonnie: Bonnie goes above and beyond to ensure the children have a healthy and filling breakfast. She comes up with very creative ideas. I nominate Bonnie as a Breakfast Champion as she is always a champion at Coronation Park School.

Westview Public School

• Deedre Tysiaczny, Sandie Kennedy, Kandis Larson and Sara Gryba:We appreciate everything that Ms. Dee does to ensure Westview kiddos start their day off with a filling, nutritious breakfast. From all of us Ms. Dee, BIG THANKS for all that you do!

 

This past October, our Club coordinators visited one of our recently opened programs for the first time. Annieville Elementary School in Delta, BC — the traditional territory of the Tsawwassen and Musqueam First Nations — started its program with Breakfast Club of Canada in fall of 2020.

 

Fast forward to a year later, and the program is now a well-oiled machine, involving school staff and local businesses to offer some morning cheer every school day.

Each morning, youth worker Sara Glennon and education assistant Christine Mitzel pack individual breakfasts in reusable bento boxes, purchased last year with the Club’s equipment grant. Breakfasts are planned out in advance each week by Sara, who orders groceries online and picks them up every Monday.

 

The program makes sure no students are left out, including those requiring a gluten- or gelatin-free meal. Food is prepared in a separate area and served in different coloured boxes and serving trays to ensure there is no cross-contamination. Currently, breakfasts are delivered to classrooms, with teachers communicating the number of meals needed to make planning a breeze and ensure there is minimal waste.

Collaboration is essential, according to principal Jann Kwasnicki, whose goal is to see this program run independently, regardless of who may be leading the school administration in the future. Once it is safe to do so, the team plans to use the multi-purpose room attached to the kitchen as the breakfast room, where they are hoping to make the atmosphere homelike and comfortable for students to enjoy a warm meal together, socialize and start their day off right.

 

This school year, Annieville Elementary has enlisted the support of the local Walmart, which has generously donated coolers to keep food cold before serving and has raised funds for the school. The Rotary Club of Tsawwassen also supports Annieville Elementary with their Starfish Backpack program, and local firefighters chip in with monthly snack food donations.

 

Thanks to the collective efforts of school staff and the local community, the students of Annieville Elementary can enjoy a nutritious and delicious breakfast each day.