Students and parents with picky eaters are very excited about the return of Canora Junior Elementary School’s cooking club.
Patti-Jo Donovan has been organizing the cooking club since February 2014 and is running it this year once again with Lesley Miles, who has been assisting with the program for the last two years.
“I started the cooking club because I have always loved to cook and I wanted to share my knowledge and experience with others,” Donovan said when asked about the program on November 10.
Since a large number of students were interested in the club, the members of each class who are interested are scheduled to attend once every month. The number of students that show up each time varies anywhere between two to 12 students.
Though Donovan said the cooking club started out making simple foods like Rice Krispie balls, cookies and muffins in order to teach the basics of cooking, as students became more familiar with the rules of cooking, such as how to measure ingredients and the importance of following the proper steps in a recipe, the members have been able to focus more on the importance of choosing recipes that are healthy and nutritious.
“Our whole school has focused on choosing healthier options, so we have included such recipes as no-bake energy bites and banana oat clusters,” Donovan said.
The club is held after school in the staff room “because that was, and still is, the only space available to us.” Fortunately, Good Spirit School Division has sent a maintenance crew to renovate an area to be used for the club as well as the breakfast program and other activities organized by the School Community Council. Donovan said she is very happy for this support and for the support of so many others in the school’s community.
“One very important thing to mention is that the cooking club program is only able to continue from year to year because of the tremendous support we have received. I want to thank our principal Rod Steciuk for approving this program, the many parents who have made donations, as well as the School Community Council,” she said.
The cooking club has been extremely successful and has received a positive response from many students as well as parents, many of whom were not expecting their children to show such interest in the process of making and eating food.
“Every day when the cooking club is done and parents come to pick up their children, we receive many wonderful, positive comments about the importance of the program we offer. Some have even asked, “How did you get my child to eat that? He or she won’t even think about trying it at home.” I simply tell them “I’m not sure, but we had lots of fun today.” I also tell them that I am very happy and honoured to be able to provide a fun, educational opportunity for students to learn a life-long skill.”
Those looking for more information on the cooking club or who wish to support it may contact Donovan by calling Canora Junior Elementary School.
