The Preeceville School was selected as a recipient of this year鈥檚 Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge.
鈥淭he judges were very impressed by the school鈥檚 submission and were delighted to support your efforts to promote positive nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices for your students,鈥� said Sarah DeRuiter, one of the main organizers who wrote a essay about the school鈥檚 breakfast club that featured the free service for students.
鈥淭he program offers students a kickstart to their day,鈥� said DeRuiter. 鈥淭here are approximately 30 students who use the program on a daily basis. We follow the foods that are suggested by the Canada Food Guide. The program is run by a team effort between myself, Bonnie Lisitza, Heidi Paterson and the School Community Council. Karolyn Kosheluk was a huge asset in helping us to get this grant. It means so much to the school to be able to open the door for the future of the program.鈥�
By early June, the school will receive a cheque from the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) in the amount of S10,000, along with a certificate of recognition signed by the ministers of education and health and the president of the SSBA.
鈥淎s per your submission, the expectation is that you will implement the makeover in September of 2016.鈥� Renovations and appliance purchase (if applicable) should occur July/August in order to facilitate the start of any new programming early in the fall.
鈥淚n honour of 10 years of successful partnership with Breakfast For Learning (BFL) and the SSBA, we want this year鈥檚 challenge to leave a lasting impact on children across the province,鈥� said Sarah Fedorchuk, senior director of public affairs for the Mosaic Company. 鈥淲e are excited that schools and communities get to pick the project that will net the biggest returns for their kids. Mosaic plays an important role in food security around the world; here at home we understand that quality nutritional programming is imperative to achieving success in the classroom.鈥�
Together with the SSBA and Breakfast For Learning (BFL), Mosaic launched the Extreme School Makeover Challenge in 2006. The Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge is open to all schools in Saskatchewan. Participating schools receive a certificate of recognition acknowledging their efforts to credit healthier school nutrition environments. This year鈥檚 10 winners will each receive a $10,000 prize. Entries are judged on quality of nutritional programming and potential benefits to the school community.
鈥淥ur students are our future leaders, and investing in their learning through nutrition programs is vital to their success,鈥� said Kelly Berlinic, director of programs and community development for BFL. 鈥淏reakfast for Learning is proud to work with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association and the Mosaic Company to ensure all students have the nourishment they need to succeed in school.鈥�
The Mosaic Company and the SSBA, in partnership with BFL, host the Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge to encourage grassroots initiatives to improve student nutrition. As Canada鈥檚 first established and one of the largest notional charities focusing on student nutrition as it relates to learning, Breakfast for Learning helps support and sustain school-based breakfast, lunch and snack programs. Canada-wide, it is providing students with the opportunity to reach their full potential in life.
鈥淭he Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge is important because school boards firmly believe that every student in Saskatchewan should have the resources and supports needed to succeed and achieve, regardless of where they live in the province or their personal circumstances,鈥� said Connie Bailey, president of the SSBA. 鈥淭he Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge helps ensure all students in Saskatchewan are well-nourished and ready to learn. The SSBA is very proud to support Breakfast for Learning. We also thank The Mosaic Company for itstheir strong commitment to excellent corporate citizenship in this province and its support of K-12 education."
