NB 1225
Sept. 8, 1999
WESTFIELD (CNB) -- The government fulfilled a further commitment as part of its 200 Days of Change action plan with the announcement today of a new $300,000 "Healthy Minds" school nutritional program to be piloted during the 1999-2000 school year.
Beginning in October, the program will provide access to breakfast foods, on an as-needed basis, for over 2,000 children from kindergarten to Grade 5 in schools in two school districts: District 8 (Saint John) and District 9 (Tracadie-Sheila).
Premier Bernard Lord made the announcement today in a classroom at Westfield School in Saint John. "Hungry children have trouble learning. This initiative will help reduce the number of hungry children attending school and foster greater learning and participation in classroom education," he said.
The Healthy Minds program will involve 32 schools in District 8, benefiting a possible 1,354 children, and 21 schools in District 9, benefiting a possible 792 children, for a total of 2,146 students. Each participating school will receive $500 each towards the program, with the principal determining how the funds are to be spent. An additional allocation of 75 cents per student will also be provided based on an expected 20 per cent participation in the program from the total K-5 school grade population.
"We are committed to working jointly with the voluntary and private sectors on a program such as this to help hungry children learn," said Education Minister Elvy Robichaud. "However, we must never lose sight that the primary responsibility for ensuring children are properly fed before school resides with parents."
An evaluation of the pilot program will be undertaken at the end of the school year to determine its positive impact, its continued need, and its possible expansion or amendment with the involvement of private, voluntary and community sponsors.
"The Healthy Minds program is another commitment we have fulfilled as part of our 200 Days of Change action plan," Lord said. "I am pleased and gratified with the support for this initiative from the education system, demonstrating the value of partnerships in ensuring a quality education for all New Brunswickers."
99/09/08
MEDIA CONTACTS: Amanda Harpelle, Premier's Office, 506-453-2144; Steve Gilliland or Christine LaForge, communications, Department of Education, 506-444-4714.
99/09/08