Dan Lane, Manager Sobeys Bathurst Audrey Ronalds, provincial chairperson for Breakfast for Learning™ and George Daley - Vice Principal Bathurst High School.The Bathurst High School’s community provides a service considered very important to student learning. That service is breakfast.  Bathurst High School (BHS) is not alone in Anglophone North School District, nor the province, in providing this service but is actively seeking volunteers to support the program. Encouraged and promoted by the national non-profit organization  Breakfast for Learning ™  the BHS program has existed for about five years and is offered every school day morning. BHS Vice-principal George Daley estimates the about 100 students take advantage of the program. In a recent article by James Mallory in the Northern Light newspaper Mr. Daley is quoted as saying, “It’s not just for those that are really in the need. Lots of kids are just not getting out of bed early enough, or they’re catching early buses. For us it falls into the idea of giving kids nutrition in the morning so they have a better learning ability all day long.”

     The operation of school breakfast programs requires a tremendous amount of community support. Local businesses often encourage donations from their customers and provide donations directly. Volunteer time comes from the school’s staff, parents and other members of the school’s community. Volunteers are always needed states Bathurst’s Audrey Ronalds, provincial chairperson for Breakfast for Learning™. Interested and concerned individuals should contact their local school to find out how they can help. Volunteering for less than an hour in the morning once or twice a week would make a big difference. Ronalds is keen to point out that this very important program doesn’t just happen, it needs community support. She also hopes that the students who benefit don’t take it for granted and appreciate the efforts that go on in the background.

     As well as providing a nutritious start to the day the breakfast program sets up opportunities for students to interact with others, be they fellow students or caring adults, in a friendly and supportive manner. This in itself contributes to a positive learning environment.

     Shown in the accompanying photo are (l to r): Dan Lane, Manager Sobeys Bathurst Audrey Ronalds, provincial chairperson  for  Breakfast for Learning™ and George Daley - Vice Principal Bathurst High School.

Sources include a recent article "Breakfast for Learning and Sobeys gives students a great start to their Day!" by James Mallory published in the Northern Light newspaper September 25, 2012.