Ted Jaleta is the Regina Board of Education Trustee for Subdivision 1.
In 2020, I was elected as a Regina Public School Board Trustee. Over the past three years, we have faced numerous challenging situations, including navigating through the pandemic. One issue that has been particularly disturbing to me is food insecurity within our community schools.
I know firsthand the impact of hunger on one's mind and overall well-being, as I have experienced poverty and starvation myself. Unfortunately, some students in our community schools are facing poverty and hunger. A lack of food and good nutrition can often lead to depression and anxiety. This ultimately will impact a student’s ability to learn.
When I visit our community schools, my mind drifts back to experiences I went through when I was in a refugee camp. During that time, I was exposed to the harsh elements of hunger and violent conditions. I would sit motionless, in a state of mental numbness, thinking about where my next meal would come from. Each day passed, seemingly without purpose.
I have seen some students show the same signs resulting from lack of food that I experienced. I have also seen great hope when nutrition programs are in place. When food is available for these young and adolescent learners, attendance in school rises. This leads to greater opportunity for learning. This is one reason that I am working to address food insecurity in our community schools.
As the coach of The Jaleta Pacers Running Club and the Race Director of the Royal Road Race, I am proud to say that the club has chosen to help alleviate student food insecurity in Regina Public’s community schools by making the school division the 2024 Royal Road Race’s Choice of Charity. The Royal Road Race has raised more than $232,000 for local charities since its inception in 2010.
I invite you to participate in the race (walk and run events) and urge you to invite your friends and family to join as well. It is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students and address food insecurity in our community schools.
To learn more about the race’s community support, visit https://jaletapacers.com/community-support/charities. To learn more about the event being held on May 11, 2024, to participate and to help contribute, please visit https://raceroster.com/events/2024/80534/2024-royal-road-race.
Subdivision 1 schools:
- École W.S. Hawrylak
- Wilfred Hunt School
- Jack MacKenzie School
- W.F. Ready School
- École Wascana Plains School
- École Wilfrid Walker School
