INTRODUCTION

             School canteens serves as a space where students can buy foods and enjoy their meals. It is also a space for students to socialize with their schoolmates. School canteens plays a significant role in teaching students proper eating manners and healthy eating habits. It is a place where students discover and learn about the foods served as to where it comes from and how it was produced. Furthermore, school canteens are places to enlighten students about their food choices and how to lessen waste of food. Healthy and nutritional foods are served in the school canteens to ensure healthy well-being of the students and to allow to them to have the energy to accomplish the tasks they need to finish. It is also the role of the school canteens to promote sustainable food systems (Perignon et al., 2023).

             The Department of Education encourages schools to implement comprehensive health and well-being programs, including food and nutrition education. School canteens is significant in establishing the students, faculty, and school personnels enthusiasm to buy nutritional and healthy foods (Galabo, 2019).

             Various challenges are present at our school that need to be addressed, particularly the quality of canteen service. For instance, students often complain about the long waiting lines in the school canteen. Some students complain about being exposed to the sun while waiting for their turn to buy their snacks due to the lack of shade and space in the canteen area. Our school canteen does not have tables or chairs for the students to sit on and eat their snacks. The school canteen is frequently crowded during recess that causes too much noise and hotter environment. Our school also lacks food and nutrition education and comprehensive health and well-being programs.

              A spacious school canteen area is crucial to provide students with a place to socialize and interact with other students. It can foster a positive school culture that promotes friendship and inclusivity. With bigger school canteen space, there will be more room for tables and chairs where students can enjoy eating their foods comfortably, reducing long waiting lines and crowding. Additionally, bigger school canteen space allows students and staff to efficiently move during busy times and allows students to buy food easily and quickly. Moreover, the development of the school canteen can ensure that students have access to the resources needed to succeed both academically and socially. By implementing a project focused on the expansion of the school canteen, it can contribute to a positive school environment that enhances the overall experiences of students. Having food and nutrition education in schools is also important because it will teach students about the significance of eating nutritious foods and eating habits, laying the bedrock for a healthy lifestyle. It can also prevent obesity and other chronic conditions by promoting balanced diets and informed food choices.

              By implementing this project, the Proponents aim to develop a well-run school canteen and contribute to the overall well-being and satisfaction of students and staff of San Juan Senior High School- Stand Alone. Through the development of the school canteen and educating students about food and nutrition we can contribute to the holistic development of students, ensuring a healthy well-being and environment of the students.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

             The project encompasses the expansion of the school canteen to better accommodate the needs of the students, faculty, and staff. The expansion will be connected to the left side of the canteen, it will have a roof and metal poles as foundation of the structure. The area of the structure is 44 ft x 14 ft. Chairs and tables will also be added to allow students to comfortably eat their food and to reduce the long waiting time and improve the efficiency and flow within the canteen area. The school canteen expansion can also foster a positive atmosphere for students to socialize with their schoolmates.

             The project also entails organizing a symposium about nutrition and health at San Juan Central Elementary School for all students both grade 11 and grade 12 at San Juan Senior High School-Stand Alone, aiming to teach students the importance of healthy eating habits, balanced diet; promote informed food choices. Teaching students about health and nutrition can enhance their ability to concentrate and succeed in school. These programs can promote well-being awareness and reduce the risk of future health problems.

             Expanding the school canteen and holding a symposium about health and nutrition not only benefits the students but also the entire school community. By initiating this project, we intend to enhance the overall experience of the students and promote a culture of health and wellness within our school community.

The project aims to benefit the following:

School Administrators: This project may help our school principal formulate policies regarding our school canteen. This project may also help our school principal provide assistance in the improvement of the school canteen services and facility.

Teachers: This project may encourage teachers to give feedback to the improvement and services of the school canteen. This project may also encourage teachers to promote health and nutrition in the school community.

Canteen Managers: This project may provide information for canteen managers to identify the areas of the canteen that needs to be improved to better serve its customers.

Students: This project would be beneficial to students as it will allow them to understand the importance of health and nutrition. Students will benefit a more comfortable school canteen space where they can enjoy their meals.

Future proponents: This project may serve as basis for future project proposals related to school canteen services.T

TIMELINE FOR THE ACTIVITIES OF IMPROVING THE SCHOOL CANTEEN

The activities in this project are as follows: Putting up posters about health and nutrition awareness, symposium on health and nutrition, construction of expanding the school canteen (excavation, building the foundation; framing; installation of the roofs; adding chairs and tables). This project will start on April 1, 2024, and shall end on June 30, 2024. The counterparts of the students in these activities are to participate in the symposium and help in the excavation of the land to be used in the canteen expansion.

Project Components:

Displaying posters within the canteen about health and nutrition: Putting up tarpaulin posters within the canteen area will be scheduled for April 5, 2024. These posters will provide students with essential knowledge about health and nutrition.

Symposium on health and nutrition: Guest speakers, including members from organizations WINS Club and RCY, will seek to inform students about creating a balanced diet, choosing healthier food choices, and teaching nutrition education. This symposium also aims to inspire and promote overall well-being and academic success. This shall take place in San Juan Central Elementary School Covered Court on April 19, 2024. This symposium shall be attended by all the students from San Jan Senior High School-Stand Alone.

Construction of expanding the school canteen (Clearing and excavating the land): The excavation and clearing includes removal of any obstacles (e.g trees) that are in the way of building the canteen expansion and leveling the ground. Beginning May 6, 2024.

Construction of expanding the school canteen (Pouring the foundation¬): Running from May 19, 2024, the base that will support the framing and roof of the canteen will be constructed. The foundation will bear the entire load of the structure.

Construction of expanding the school canteen (Completing the Framing): Beginning on June 1, 2024, and shall end on June 15, 2024. Building the framing to support the entire structure of the canteen.

Construction of expanding the school canteen (Installing the roof and adding tables and chairs): Scheduled for June 16-30, the installation of the roof shall take place. The roof shall be screwed into the ridges to prevent water leaks. After the construction of the school canteen, the last activity shall be adding tables and chairs within the canteen area