Coordinator's Meeting

Last Friday we held our annual Coordinator's Meeting at Sir George Ross Secondary School. We are so lucky to have this school available to our OSNP coordinators. The staff and students there always do a fantastic job of helping set us up with a great space to hold our meetings and presentations. They also provide us with great food! Thanks especially to Chris Squire and his students.

In the morning we had 3 great presentations that would help inspire coordinators and get them thinking about what they can do in their schools and programs.


Sandra Schultz and Deb Hymers, N'Step

• Sandra is a mom and volunteer at St. Robert Catholic School. In her presentation she focused on ideas for snack promotion and ideas, funding sources and other community resources. This was followed by a introduction to N'Step - a not-for-profit registered charity, providing hands-on nutrition and physical activity programs directly in classrooms. They have done pilot projects at 2 elementary schools in London.

Thank you Sandra and Deb for your hard work and dedication to improving the health of students.  For more information visit www.nstep.ca


Andrew Fleet, Growing Chefs

• Andrew is a chef and brought the Growing Chefs program from British Columbia to London. The Growing Chefs Ontario Classroom Gardening Project started as one program, at one school in the spring of 2008. This program has grown since then and has expanded to include three additional food education programs in London and the surrounding area.

Thank you Andrew for your passion and commitment to getting kids excited about healthy food and cooking.
For more information visit growingchefsontario.ca


Chantal Ingram, Halton Food For Though

• Chantal is the Director of Programs at Halton Food for Thought. Halton Food for Thought is a registered charity and their goal is to promote the connection between healthy food choices and improved learning through the provision of breakfast, lunch or snacks at school or community-based sites. She shared information about nutrition programs and farm to school initiatives happening in their community.

Thank you Chantal for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm about what's happening in Halton.
For more information visit www.haltonfoodforthought.ca

In the afternoon, our coordinators went into small groups to discuss and learn more about what is going on in each other's school and program.

Thank you to our partners and leaders for facilitating discussions, providing insight and participating in this day. We are so grateful and lucky to have your expertise and support.

• Christine Callaghan, Middlesex London Health Unit
• Michelle Martin, Middlesex London Health Unit
• Carrie Warring, Middlesex London Health Unit
• Shelly Happy, London InterCommunity Health Centre
• Ginny Trembley, May Court Club of London
• Sharon Basic, May Court Club of London

And last, but certainly not least, thank you to the school coordinators that attended this day. I hope you went back to your programs with ideas and a renewed sense of  passion. Without you and your support within your schools, this day would not be possible.