The meal program at Central Okanagan schools will go on.
Image Credit: PIXABAY
April 01, 2020 - 8:25 AM
Central Okanagan children who are reliant on public schools for breakfasts and lunches won’t go without, despite the suspension of in-class instruction.
“We feed 2,000 students a day and we’re figuring out how to provide that service, though school boxed (lunches) for breakfast and lunch,” Kevin Kaardal, superintendent of schools said during a Tuesday night, March 31, town hall meeting organized by MLA Norm Letnick.
“We’ve been given an order to meet those objectives.”
Kaardal said the exact nature of how the meal program will roll out remains to be seen. What is shaping up — with the guidance of Alan Lalonde a district principal and Terry Beaudry the deputy superintendent — is a system where parents and caregivers can pick up meals for a week once a week.
Kaardal said community providers “have been incredible” in coming up with a plan.
“They are putting together food boxes and there will be a food distribution system set up next week,” he said. “Parents can come through, and pick up for the week.”
For families that don’t have vehicles, there will be “a different distribution plan for those families.”
While meals are just one part of what makes schools safe places for children, that’s not all they will be offering.
Moyra Baxter, the chairperson of Central Okanagan public schools, told an online audience that principals will be in schools as the year tolls out and are to be a point of contact if needed.
Kaardal added that counsellors, resource teachers and mental health support workers are already in the community with vulnerable students, offering support.
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