Submitted article
Children who eat breakfast at school start the day ready to learn, which is reflected in higher test scores and better classroom behavior. However, only half of the children who eat lunch at school also eat school breakfast, according to the Food Research and Action Council. To garner increased participation in the School Breakfast Program, the Galion City School District recognized National School Breakfast Week March 2-6, 2015. The program is a weeklong celebration aimed at increasing awareness of the School Breakfast Program among students and parents.
The 2015 National School Breakfast Week theme, “Make the Grade with School Breakfast” reminds everyone in the school community – parents, students, administrators – that a healthy school breakfast sets students up for a day of learning and academic success. The theme appeared in the district’s cafeterias throughout the week as the cooks wore purple shirts promoting school breakfast.
“Too many children are showing up at school hungry, and we know hungry children can’t learn,” Food Service Supervisor Jacki Corona said. “A healthy breakfast helps students focus in the classroom and perform better. That’s why we offer Universal Breakfast every morning, except during two-hour delay days, in the Galion City School District at no cost to the student. Universal Breakfast is great because it allows us to serve healthy offerings to the students in unique ways.”
Middle School and High School students go through the kitchen and choose the items they want for breakfast. Their choices include healthy items such as yogurt, string cheese, 100 percent whole grain bread items and hot whole grain breakfast at least once a week.
Intermediate and Primary School students eat breakfast in the classroom. Students are served in either the cafetorium or hallway, and they choose what they want and take it with them to enjoy in their classroom.
“Every school breakfast meets federal nutrition standards limiting fat, calories and sodium,” Corona said. “Eating breakfast really helps prepare Galion students for a busy day of learning.”
To promote National School Breakfast Week, the Galion City School District Food Service department held a drawing for students with a chance to win a new Kindle e-Reader. Athletic Passes for the 2015-2016 school year were given away at the High School and Middle School, in addition to the Kindle. Each student that ate breakfast in school at least once during the week received a raffle ticket. At the end of the week, each building principal selected winners for their building.
Student winners included: Galion High School-Abby Barre (Kindle), Jessica Alexander (sports pass), Gregory Bowles (sports pass); Galion Middle School-Jaden Ivy (Kindle), Taryn Baldy (sports pass), Aaron Kelly (sports pass); Galion Intermediate School-Khloe Gifford (Kindle); Galion Primary School-Coletyn Siegenthal (Kindle)
“Make the Grade with School Breakfast” was created by the non-profit School Nutrition Association with support from Kellogg’s Foodservice. National School Breakfast Week was launched in 1989 to raise awareness of the availability of the School Breakfast Program (SBP) to all children and to promote the links between eating a good breakfast, academic achievement and healthy lifestyles.
To learn more about the Galion City School District breakfast program, please contact Food Service Supervisor Jacki Corona at 419-468-6500 ext. 11016 or email corona.jacki@galionschools.org.