Taking a Bite Out of Hunger with Breakfast in the Classroom
Here’s a staggering statistic: Today, 16 million children live in families that receive food stamps — that’s one in five children. In 2015, post-recession America. It’s hard to wrap your mind around that, isn’t it?
What may be harder to imagine is what would happen to these children and families if they did not have access to food stamps or other programs like Breakfast in the Classroom. Simply put, hungry children cannot learn or thrive. School and life success hinge on far more than quality education; they hinge on meeting the basic needs of our children.
One of the programs NEA HIN works on is national initiative called Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom. We’re so proud to work on Breakfast in the Classroom — let’s look at just a few reasons why.
Students who eat breakfast at school:
- Perform better on standardized tests
- Have improved concentration, alertness, comprehension, memory and learning
- Show increased cognitive function and attention
- (Source: Food Research and Action Center)
Teaching the Whole Child Starts With a Healthy Breakfast
We’ve all heard the saying, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” However, how many of us forget to make breakfast a priority and walk out the door without eating anything? I’ll admit I’m guilty of not following my own advice and occasionally missing breakfast. However, for many adults and children missing breakfast can negatively impact their entire day. It has also been well-documented that for students, missing breakfast consistently over time can lead to poorer health outcomes and learning issues. Students who miss breakfast perform lower on standardized tests, are not able to concentrate as well, and are more likely to make frequent trips to the school nurse, missing valuable class time.
The NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) believes that in order for a student to be learning ready they must have their basic needs met–including access to healthy food. Since 2010, NEA HIN has been involved with the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom (PBIC), a consortium of leading education and nutrition organizations that have a shared passion for improving child health and educational outcomes through an alternative breakfast model called Breakfast in the Classroom. The other members of PBIC include: the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), the National Association of Elementary School Principals Foundation (NAESPF), and the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF). Over the last four years, PBIC has successfully implemented Breakfast in the Classroom in fifteen school districts across the country and has helped to feed more than 37,000 additional students breakfast.
How the program works is fairly simple, the traditional school breakfast is taken out of the cafeteria and moved into the classroom after the school day begins. Alternative breakfast models come in many different shapes and sizes and there is no one size fits all method for every school. Some breakfasts are delivered directly to classrooms in roller bags or coolers, while others are available on a cart or kiosk in the hallway or cafeteria and taken to the classroom. Students eat their breakfast while the teacher or paraeducator takes attendance, collects homework, or teaches a short lesson. The program takes between 10-15 minutes from start to finish and ensures that all children reap the health and learning benefits associated with breakfast.
For the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years, PBIC is looking forward to move into the next phase of our work by implementing Breakfast in the Classroom in seven states. By working with a variety of state and local partners, we hope to encourage more school districts to apply for our grant and implement a successful alternative breakfast model. The seven selected states include: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. NEA HIN will be partnering with the NEA State Association in each of the respective states to ensure that the voices of teachers, paraeducators, custodians, food service professionals, and all impacted school staff are included prior to the program being rolled-out.
In addition, we are very lucky to have the National Education Association (NEA) Secretary-Treasurer Princess Moss serve as our national spokesperson for PBIC. “As the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom continue efforts for the third year, the history of success is encouraging and underscores the role food plays in helping our children grow into healthy and well-educated young adults,” said Princess Moss, Secretary-Treasurer at NEA. “The benefits of children eating breakfast at school are well-documented and expansive, with better performance on standardized tests, better attendance records and are less disruptive in the classroom. It’s reassuring to know that thousands of more students will reap the benefits of a nutritious morning meal.”
To find out more information about Breakfast in the Classroom or to apply for a PBIC grant, visit www.breakfastintheclassroom.org. You can also follow PBIC on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information.
9.5.14 Top 5 Questions About School Breakfast – Answered!
By Madeline Levin of FRAC and Annelise Cohon of NEA HIN
Back to school means back to healthy school breakfast for many children who may have been skipping this important meal over the summer.
Children from low-income families are especially at risk for skipping meals and eating meals of lower nutritional value over the summer months, so getting back into the school routine can also mean getting into a healthy eating routine as well.
While most students eat lunch at school, many miss out on breakfast because they cannot arrive at school early enough to participate before school or prefer to play outside with their friends before the bell rings.
That’s why breakfast after the bell programs, where children eat in their classrooms during the first 10 minutes of class, are making such an impact in getting more healthy meals to students so they can start their day ready to learn. Educators in school districts across the country are praising the positive impacts of school breakfast.
Here’s what some of them have to say:
“Since my school began serving breakfast in classrooms, my students’ learning readiness has improved and they are eager to start the school day. They enjoy the family environment that breakfast creates and are better able to concentrate.” Markisha, Kindergarten teacher in North Carolina
“It’s a time that they can come together – read their books, eat their breakfast and start the day off positively.” Amy W., Kindergarten Teacher, Colorado
“I like the idea of knowing who’s eating and that we’ve all come together to eat and everybody is the same. It’s that equality.” Elementary teacher in Tennessee
“It adds to the family feel of the classroom. We all sit down; we eat together, the kids help clean up. They take care of each other.” Debra H., Teacher in North Carolina
However, it is not uncommon for educators to have some concerns and questions about school breakfast. Here are the top five, with responses based on classroom teacher’s experiences from around the country.
1. Is the quality of the meal good – are school breakfasts healthy?
By law, schools receiving federal meal reimbursement must serve a breakfast that meets national nutrition guidelines. School breakfasts can contain no trans fat and no more than 10 percent saturated fat, and rules limit the amount of sodium and calories.
Compared with non-participants, children who eat breakfast at school are more likely to consume diets that are adequate or exceed standards for important vitamins and minerals (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorous). Some menu choices that might be perceived as unhealthy are actually prepared with less sugar and more whole grains, and are served with low-fat milk and fruit to provide a nutritious, balanced meal.
2. Doesn’t school breakfast, especially breakfast in the classroom, disrupt class and take away valuable teaching time?
Breakfast in the classroom has proven to be a successful model in many schools across the nation. Some teachers report they have actually gained instructional time due to fewer disruptions such as visits to the school nurse, tardiness, and absenteeism. In addition, teachers report that the quality of instruction improves when students eat breakfast because the children are more alert.
Breakfast can be incorporated into the learning process with lessons in health, social studies and math. Teachers can go about their morning routine while the students are eating breakfast at their desks. Many teachers report that starting the day eating together, builds community in the classroom and a sense of rapport and trust between teacher and students, as well as among the students.
3. What about students who eat more than one breakfast. Isn’t that contributing to the obesity epidemic?
Actually, a regular breakfast routine may serve as a safeguard against childhood obesity. Studies show that children who regularly eat school breakfast have a better quality of nutrient intake and are less likely to be overweight or obese. There is a small population of students who, for various reasons, need to consume something before leaving for school. This can be due to very early departures in the morning due to long travel times or in order to safely take medication.
A dependable school breakfast is important to discouraging unhealthy morning snacks from home or from stops on the way to school at the corner store. And for many low-income families the school breakfast program is the only reliable source of a healthy breakfast for their children on a daily basis.
4. Won’t having students eat breakfast in my classroom mean more mess and pests?
As long as students are provided with a structured routine for the service and cleanup of breakfast, Breakfast in the Classroom has not been shown to dirty classrooms. When adopting Breakfast in the Classroom, teachers and paraeducators are important collaborators in the final in-classroom service plan that works best for their school. In some schools, Teachers enlist students to help with cleanup – each student cleans up his or her own desk after eating breakfast; alternatively, student helpers or paraprofessionals can assist with cleanup of desks after breakfast is eaten.
For younger students, teachers or paraprofessionals might need to initially model for students how to clean and dispose of breakfast items. After a few weeks, students develop routines and classroom eating manners, eliminating any initial issues with bringing food into the classroom. Another reported benefit of Breakfast in the Classroom is an improvement in students’ table manners and mealtime social skills.
5. Shouldn’t it be the parent’s responsibility to feed their child breakfast at home?
Parents who choose to have their children eat breakfast at school are responsible parents! Busy parent lifestyles and bus and commuting schedules can interfere with children being fed breakfast at home. In addition, many children report not feeling hungry first thing in the morning but have a better appetite later in the morning.
Offering breakfast at school, after the opening bell, provides all students with the opportunity to get the morning nutrition they need to start their day.
For more school breakfast resources and assistance see NEA HIN’s Breakfast Toolkit and visit FRAC’s Expanding School Breakfast Resources here.
NEA HIN is a proud partner of the Breakfast for Learning Education Alliance. Click here for more information about the Alliance.
Have more questions that we didn’t answer? Please leave a comment below to keep this conversation going.
Reflections of an NEA RA Expo Newbie
Armed with my best booth smile, comfortable shoes and 1,000 lip balms to give away, I set out for Denver to get caught up in the pre- Representative Assembly (RA) energy I had been hearing about since joining the organization six months ago. I was excited to see the setting for the RA and to get the chance to meet some of the members we serve.
I was not disappointed.
The vibe, the energy, THE BUZZ I had been hearing about– it was all there. People were truly excited to be there, which is at the heart of any successful event. It was so great to talk to so many members from across the country. Working at headquarters, I don’t get that opportunity often enough, so I made-up for lost time in the Expo’s Hall of Health and Safety.
You told me about the concerns you have about health issues in your schools. You told me how much you love the students you work with. You told your stories, shared your frustrations, asked great questions, and made myself and the rest of the NEA Health Information Network’s team proud to work with and for members like you! Passionate, dedicated, smart, funny people who work so hard to make each day better for the students you serve. In my book, America cannot ask for anything better than that.
So thanks for all that you do, and thanks for the Denver memories! The NEAHIN team looks forward to seeing you all next summer in Orlando. And don’t worry, we’ll bring the lip balm.
Bethe
Associate Executive Director
Why Free Play Is the Best Summer School
This post is cross-posted from the NEA Today blog.
Summer is officially here, and most schools across the nation have marked the end of another academic year.
For many kids, the coming of summer signals little more than a seasonal shift from one set of scheduled, adult-supervised lessons and activities to another.
Unscheduled, unsupervised, playtime is one of the most valuable educational opportunities we give our children. It is fertile ground; the place where children strengthen social bonds, build emotional maturity, develop cognitive skills, and shore up their physical health.
The value of free play, daydreaming, risk-taking, and independent discovery have been much in the news this year, and a new study by psychologists at the University of Colorado reveals just how important these activities are in the development of children’s executive functioning.
Families can help children’s learning readiness by encouraging free play this summer. Even better: playtime that incorporates physical activity helps kids get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day!
Tell us: do you believe free play is important to children’s learning readiness and health?
Community Eligibility Can Mean Free School Meals in Low-Income Areas
Educators know that children who are hungry cannot learn. Hunger is an everyday reality for millions of children across the country – in a series of recent surveys, one in four families in the U.S. with children reported being unable to afford enough food.
School employees are all too familiar with “hunger headaches,” and know that these are the children who are more likely to be absent and tardy, and often have a hard time focusing and behaving in class. Education professionals see first-hand how all of the federal, state, and local dollars spent on education have little impact if classrooms are full of hungry students.
Now schools across the country have the opportunity through the Community Eligibility Provision to ensure that low-income children have access to school breakfasts and lunches at no charge – while reducing administrative burden and streamlining the school meal programs. This will allow more students to eat, and more time for school staff to focus on the nutritional and educational needs of their students rather than on paperwork.
Less Paperwork for Schools
Besides increased participation in school meals, the biggest difference schools will see under community eligibility is the application process. Schools that adopt Community Eligibility are still reimbursed through the regular process, but instead of being based on applications, reimbursements are based on a formula tied to the number of low-income students who are automatically eligible for free school meals through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) − or another designated program serving low-income families.
To qualify for community eligibility, 40% or more of the total enrollment in a school, group of schools, or the district must be certified for free school meals without a paper application. These are children who are in foster care or Head Start, are homeless, migrant or living in households that receive SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance or the Food Distribution on Indian Reservation benefits. Community Eligibility is currently available in 10 states plus the District of Columbia and will become available for districts in all states beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
A Win-Win for Schools – But the Clock is Ticking
Community eligibility is a good call for school districts, but the clock is ticking: School districts have until June 30 to decide whether to participate for the 2014-2015 school year.
The 4,000 schools where Community Eligibility already has been implemented have realized huge benefits. According to a 2013 report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Food Research and Action Center, “Community Eligibility: Making High-Poverty Schools Hunger Free,” Community Eligibility is making a profound difference for students and schools. Schools in Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan (three states that participated in Community Eligibility for two years) saw lunch participation rise by 13 percent – an increase of more than 23,000 additional children eating lunch daily. Breakfast participation increased by 25 percent, resulting in more than 29,000 additional children eating breakfast daily.
The benefits don’t end there. Community Eligibility is a catalyst for other improvements to the school meals program. For example, in West Virginia where they are in their second year of implementation, community eligibility is helping schools employ innovative breakfast strategies, like breakfast in the classroom. Participation in breakfast has increased, leading to reduced costs and higher quality meals.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
- Find out if your school is eligible for Community Eligibility.
- If you want to bring Community Eligibility to your school district, visit FRAC’s resource section for more information. Then talk to your school district about why Community Eligibility is a win for schools and students. Use FRAC’s Community Eligibility fact sheet (downloadable PDF file) to help you have that conversation.
Is Your Local School Eligible for FREE School Meals?
Today is the deadline for states to publish which schools are eligible to participate in Community Eligibility for free school meals.
What is Community Eligibility you ask? Community Eligibility is the newest opportunity for schools with high percentages of low-income children to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.
And what’s especially great about this news is that school districts with eligible schools will have the option to expand free school meals to all schools within the area.
Helping to Tackle Childhood Hunger
Community Eligibility is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, created as a common-sense strategy to tackle a widespread problem impacting millions of children in the U.S.: hunger and lack of access to healthy foods. Nearly 16 million children and teens lived in food insecure households in 2012.
Community Eligibility was developed out of the recognition that the factors that hinder access to nutritious food — such as poverty and food deserts — impact communities broadly. Students in densely low-income areas may still be impacted by these factors, even if on paper they might not otherwise qualify for free school meals.
Currently, there is sometimes social stigma that can be associated with free school meals, preventing those who need these healthy meals from accessing them. Fortunately, there is a way to break down this social stigma that can be associated with free school meals — by making free meals available to ALL students, and using creative strategies like “grab and go” cafe carts or programs like NEA HIN’s Breakfast in the Classroom.
School Meals Can Make a Difference in a Child’s Life
Through our Breakfast in the Classroom program, NEA HIN and educators see the positive impact school meals can have on children’s well-being and academic performance. Educators have seen student’s test score performance increase, tardiness decrease, and infrequent trips to the nurse’s office. Nutritious school meals — however they’re served — can truly make a difference in the life of a child or teen.
Community Eligibility can increase participation in the school meal programs, reduce labor costs for schools, and play a critical role in fighting childhood hunger. It’s clear that schools and students benefit from Community Eligibility, and school districts should make this program available wherever possible.
Is your local school eligible for Community Eligibility? See the list of eligible schools in your state.
Little Rock Educators Believe That No Child Should Go Hungry
Actor Jeff Bridges (National Spokesperson for No Kid Hungry) with Cathy Koehler (President of Little Rock Education Association)
Recently, I was able to catch up with Cathy Koehler, President of the Little Rock Education Association (LREA). Little Rock, Arkansas was one of the first school districts selected by NEA HIN and the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom to receive a grant to pilot an alternative breakfast program in sixteen schools during the 2010-2011 school year. Since then, the program has received national recognition. Jeff Bridges, the famous actor, even visited Little Rock to shine a spotlight on the school district and the importance of school breakfast.
What is Breakfast in the Classroom?
In case you haven’t heard about Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC), it’s an innovative way for more students to participate in the federally-funded school breakfast program by moving breakfast from the cafeteria and into the classroom. Studies have shown that when breakfast is moved into the classroom, after the start of the school day, more students are able to reap the benefits associated with the morning meal. As a result of eating breakfast, students show improvements in academic achievement, have better attendance records, and exhibit fewer behavioral problems.
Little Rock
In Little Rock, NEA HIN and their partners worked with LREA and Ms. Koehler to engage educators, parents and community members about the health and learning benefits associated with school breakfast. Since the BIC program started, the school district has received national attention for its efforts to fight childhood hunger and increase the number of students participating in the morning meal.
As a result of the Breakfast in the Classroom program, Ms. Koehler reports that LRSD teachers have noticed significant improvements in students ‘ability to concentrate in class, a decrease in behavioral problems, and a decrease in student tardiness. Ms. Koehler said that, “students love eating breakfast in their classroom with their classmates and teacher”. This was evident at the recent media event with Jeff Bridges. Mr. Bridges spent time with students at Stephens Elementary School and even drew pictures of healthy foods with them during breakfast time.
How You Can Get Involved!
Are you interested in starting a Breakfast in the Classroom program at your school? Here are a few tips from our own Breakfast in the Classroom Champion, Cathy Koehler:
1. Prior to rolling out the program, pass around educational materials to school staff and parents regarding the academic, behavioral, and health benefits of breakfast.
2. Be sure to involve all affected school staff in planning the program before it is rolled out.
3. Don’t forget to consult with your school administrator to ensure breakfast time can count as instructional time.
4. Arrange a training session for all affected school staff on Breakfast in the Classroom logistics and implementation.
5. Be patient! The first few days or weeks of BIC may be challenging but stick with it.
To find out more information about Breakfast in the Classroom visit our website: www.neahin.org/breakfastintheclassroom and check out these great resources:
- NEA Health Information Network’s Start School With Breakfast Guide
- School Nutrition Foundation’s Breakfast in the Classroom Resource Center
- Food Research and Action Center’s Breakfast for Learning
- National Association of Elementary Schools Principal Foundation Breakfast in the Classroom Resources
It’s National School Breakfast Week!
It’s that time of the year again, when we celebrate the most important meal of the day, school breakfast! This means that you can enjoy a week’s worth of fun facts, images, and resources on NEA HIN’s School Breakfast Week website. Here are some easy tips to help you maximize your school breakfast fun with us:
- Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to get important information on the importance of breakfast and ways to increase student participation through programs like breakfast in the classroom.
- Check out our breakfast pledge and help address hunger and ensure learning readiness for every child.
- Share our breakfast images on our Pinterest page.
Let us know your plans for National School Breakfast Week. We would love to hear from you!
Breakfast is a BIG deal!
Growing up, do you remember your mom always telling you to eat your breakfast? Well, research shows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
In fact, children who eat a healthy and filling breakfast have better concentration in class and are more likely to receive higher grades in school. According to Terrill Bravender, a professor of pediatrics at Duke University, “Children who skip breakfast or who eat high-sugar foods for breakfast suffer from physical, behavioral and intellectual problems”.
However, a report published by the University of Florida stated that about 30% of kids, aged 8-13, are missing out on breakfast. There is a clear need for more school districts to make school breakfast widely available to all students after the bell. Alternative breakfast programs like Boston’s Universal Breakfast Program and Maryland’s Meals for Achievement have seen huge increases in the number of children participating in the school breakfast program daily.
So, what can you do to get involved to increase the number of students eating breakfast in your school? The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation in New Jersey want to partner with local school districts to increase awareness of the Breakfast After the Bell program. Districts interested in learning more about instituting breakfast in the classroom should visit the Advocates for Children of New Jersey’s website, and click on “School Breakfast in New Jersey.” Check out the full Op-Ed here and read more.
Also, check out NEA HIN’s Breakfast in the Classroom project and guide for all your breakfast needs!
Meet Meg, Our New Intern!
My name is Meghna Krishna (Meg) and I was born in Washington DC, and currently live in Potomac, Maryland. I am currently pursuing my masters in Industrial Organization Psychology at UMBC. I will continue to further my education with a Pys. D in clinical psychology.
I have a passion and desire for helping others and making their future positive and bright. As I further my career, my passion will focus on eating disorders among adolescent teenagers. Eating disorders have been a very concerning issue in young males and females. Many young adolescents are pressured from the media, parents, friends, and society to look a desired way. I have recently attended the National Eating Disorders Conference (NEDA) in Washington DC, where I was exposed to the issue in greater detail and encouraged to create awareness of this important issue. I have also been exposed to many young females who constantly criticize themselves and make remarks about their body weight and dieting. I want to be that person to help adolescents understand that one should feel comfortable in their own skin and proper nutrition and exercise is the key to staying healthy!
I decided to first take the path of studying Industrial Organization Psychology, as I wanted to learn the importance of a good business structure and what a good organization should be. Later in my career I want to open my own practice and without learning the basic skills and tools to run a successful business, I know I could not run a good practice. I think it’s very important to understand why people do what they do in a workplace and the ethical issues behind an organization. It’s important to understand what makes an effective business opposed to an ineffective business. No matter where my career takes me, the skills I will learn in my master’s program will always be used.
In my spare time, I love dance, workout, travel, hangout with my friends, and most importantly watch sports. I am a huge Michigan State football and basketball fan! My favorite NFL football team is the Dallas Cowboys.
I am very excited to be joining the NEA Health Information Network and look forward to working with a positive and loving group of people who will make my experience great! I am very excited to use the knowledge and skills from school and my previous work experience in my internship program. This internship experience will benefit me in my career in psychology and help me learn and develop new skills. I am very excited to be meeting new people, working with a wonderful staff, and most importantly benefiting and making this internship a wonderful experience!
What Can We Do To Eliminate Food Insecurity?
One of the most important issues Fairfield County, Connecticut is grappling with today is food insecurity. What is food insecurity you may ask? Food insecurity is when families struggle to know when and where their next nutritious meal will come from. According to a recent report titled, Hunger Lives Here, from the Fairfield County Community Foundation, more than one in ten families in Connecticut have struggled to find their next meal. Who would ever think that in one of the wealthiest counties in America, people would be suffering from food insecurity?
Unfortunately, Fairfield County has experienced high unemployment rates which have forced many families into poverty. Due to a lack of knowledge about food assistance programs, many people are unaware of what programs are being offered in their area. These important safety net programs include: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC, (Women, Infants, and Children) and the federally-funded School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Below are brief descriptions of the above mentioned programs:
- SNAP– Individuals receive an EBT card, which allows them to purchase specific food items. The EBT card looks like a debit card so it is not easily recognized as federal aid.
- WIC– Pregnant mothers and mothers with children are provided with monthly checks to help purchase nutritious foods for their families.
- School Lunch and Breakfast Programs-These programs provide free or reduced meals to low income students.
In a report conducted by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), 14.8% of children in Connecticut are living under the poverty line and 13.4% of households are food insecure. In Fairfield County, about 35,000 children live in a food insecure home. Many of these children receive most of their daily nutrition from the federally-funded school breakfast and school lunch program. However, despite the fact that many students qualify for a free or reduced price meal, only about half of students in Connecticut are participating in the School Breakfast program.
You might be asking, but what can we do to help more students get access to the important nutrition they need? One way is to implement programs like universal breakfast in the classroom (BIC).
BIC is a program where students eat breakfast at no cost during the first 10-15 minutes of the school day. Studies have shown that when students eat breakfast, they are able to perform better in school; their attendance improves, and they feel better overall. Not only are students benefiting from this program in districts across the country, but teachers are finding that students are better able to focus in class and aren’t making as many trips to the nurse’s office.
Connecticut Education Association (CEA) President Sheila Cohen has helped bring statewide attention to the issue of child hunger and stated that, “Connecticut needs to stand up, do the right thing, and feed our children because hunger hurts”. Educators understand the important connection between proper nutrition and academic achievement. However, more work needs to be done in Connecticut if hunger is to be eliminated.
The NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) has been working for the last four years to increase the number of student participating in the school breakfast program through a Breakfast in the Classroom Initiative. Since this program started, NEA HIN and their partners have helped feed more than 70,000 additional students school breakfast. This has been no small undertaking and was accomplished with the assistance and support of educators and support staff working together for their students.
To learn more about Breakfast in the Classroom program and how you can start an alternative breakfast program at your school, download NEA HIN’s Start School With Breakfast Guide. Or, leave us a comment about your school’s breakfast program or post to our Facebook or Twitter.
So—please take a stand and join us today to help end hunger across America. By working together, we can make great strides in reducing food insecurity in any community—large or small, high income or not—and help eliminate the fear in families and their children about when they will have their next meal.
The Best Way to Start Your Morning!
As more Americans experience hunger and food insecurity, federally-funded programs like the School Breakfast Program are increasingly important for our most vulnerable populations – including children. Because children spend the majority of their time at school, the school environment is an ideal venue to identify and address childhood hunger issues through programs like Breakfast in the Classroom.
However, connecting more students to the morning meal requires a team effort of educators, parents, administrators, food service staff and students working together for hunger-free schools. NEA President Dennis Van Roekel is working hard to spread the word about the benefits of school breakfast, but he can’t do it alone. Help him by elevating your voice and working to increase breakfast participation in your district. For more information on how parents and educators are working together to solve our nation’s most challenging issues, visit nea.org/parents.
Also, don’t forget to connect with us through Facebook or Twitter. We would love to know if your child’s school serves breakfast in the classroom.
A Day of Action: I’m Raising My Hand for Hunger-Free Public Schools!
Across the country, local communities are coming together to demand more for America’s children. These individuals are taking matters into their own hands and working together to solve some of our nation’s most challenging social problems, including child hunger.
In the United States, 1 in 5 children are at risk for hunger and the problem is so severe that teachers spend $37 a month and principals spend $59 a month, on average, buying food for hungry students. NEA members are on the front lines of hunger and know which students are hungry and haven’t eaten anything since lunch the day before.
In response to the growing rise of child hunger in the United States, NEA HIN is proud to support Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC), which aims to increase breakfast consumption among schoolchildren and spark the academic and nutritional gains associated with the morning meal. This program reworks the traditional cafeteria-based breakfast by removing barriers to participation and bringing breakfast into the classroom for students to enjoy in the first 10-15 minutes of the school day.
To date, NEA HIN has partnered with various stakeholders in 12 states and 14 school districts to implement BIC and to help feed an additional 70,000 students breakfast. This achievement could not have been accomplished alone, and was only possible with assistance from national partners, teachers, educators, food service workers, parents, custodians, anti-hunger advocates, students, and community leaders coming together around a shared cause.
A fundamental premise of NEA HIN’s BIC program is stakeholder engagement and the idea that we are stronger and more successful together than we are alone. By making breakfast in the classroom a team effort from the outset, this model helps to bring key stakeholders to the table and avoids conflicts or problems. In speaking with some NEA local presidents who were involved in BIC, they had this to say about the program:
- “From the start, BIC has encouraged and built collaboration in our schools, district, and community among the administration, the school board, community partners, and our association. Through engagement of this network, BIC has spread into more of the district’s schools, providing every student at the sites with equal access and opportunity for a tasty, nutritious breakfast that will help them as they go about their school day.” Cathy Koehler, President, Little Rock Education Association
- “The teachers and our school families are a community that comes together in the best interests of our children. We need to support each other in any way we can if our schools are to succeed in providing the best learning environments. The ongoing challenges to bring quality schools to all neighborhoods need the collaborative efforts of many. This [Breakfast in the Classroom] program not only impacts the lives of students, but also allowed teacher input on how best to make this work in each classroom.” Kathryn Castle, President of the Elgin Teachers Association
- “The School Board has recognized the positive benefits of breakfast for all children, and has approved increasing the local budget to include Breakfast in the Classroom to three times as many schools next year in an ongoing initiative.” Elizabeth Foster, President, Guilford County Association of Educators
These educators are raising their hands for their students and declaring that child hunger is unacceptable and is a solvable problem. Their actions have made a real difference in their communities and illustrate how parents, teachers, administrators, and students can create social movement that works and benefits students. Stakeholder engagement at every level of the school system is critical to student success. Any group wanting to engage in ending child hunger will need to involve all appropriate stakeholders in order to ensure hunger-free schools and communities.
I encourage you to plan or take part in an event in your area to bring stakeholders together and demand solutions, empower communities, and organize for action around social justice issues, like child hunger. Raise your hand and let us know what issues are important to you by continuing the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. For more information, including a National Day of Action Toolkit and event materials, please go to www.edvotes.org/ourschools.
No Child Left Behind? How About ‘No Kid Hungry’?
Last week, a terrific Op-Ed was featured on @Good titled, “No Child Left Behind? How About ‘No Kid Hungry’?” This piece touched on the growing problem of child hunger in the United States and how hunger affects both student health and academic achievement. The Op-Ed was written by NEA President Dennis Van Roekel and Share Our Strength Founder and CEO Billy Shore and illustrated new findings from Share Our Strength’s annual nationwide poll of K-8 public school staff about hunger in schools. It also included a bold solution to child hunger in the form of school breakfast and programs like Breakfast in the Classroom.
To view the full Op-Ed you can find it here.
Also, don’t forget to leave us a message on Facebook and Twitter and let us know your reactions to this Op-Ed.
Start the School Year Right with Breakfast!
It’s that time when students and teachers head back to the classroom. Educators are focused on how best to meet their students’ needs—and one way they are doing that is by making sure their students have a nutritious start to their day.
New findings from a national survey released by Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign show that breakfast is key to academic success and that rethinking how we serve school breakfast is crucial to enhancing the educational experience for all. The connection between good nutrition and academic success is not new to educators. Teachers know firsthand that hungry students cannot learn.
Princess Moss, an elementary school teacher from Virginia and National Education Association Executive Committee member shares her story about hungry children in her classroom, “As an elementary school teacher, I can assure you that I had students who came into my classroom without having eaten anything since lunch the previous day. Child hunger is a serious problem that negatively affected my student’s self-esteem, ability to learn, and behavior. I would always keep snacks in my class for students who were hungry and having trouble concentrating during instructional time.”
“Hunger In Our Schools: Teachers’ Report 2013,” surveyed more than 1,200 K-8 teachers and principals nationwide and found that:
- Three out of four K-8 public school teachers and principals see kids who regularly come to school hungry.
- On average, teachers spend $37 a month buying food for hungry students—up from $26 a month in 2012. Principals report buying food for students often and spending about $60 a month.
- Of the more than 21 million low-income kids in the U.S. who rely on a free or reduced-price school lunch, only half – about 11 million – are also getting a school breakfast.
- More than half of teachers report seeing behavior and health improvements in students since implementing breakfast in the classroom programs.
- On average, teachers say eating breakfast in the classroom takes about 15 minutes in the morning.
NEA HIN has worked with NEA affiliates in thirteen states to implement local Breakfast in the Classroom programs. We have seen the difference breakfast makes in helping students stay alert and grow strong. As you can see in this short video, NEA leaders agree that Breakfast in the Classroom produces real benefits for kids.
Breakfast is brain power and NEA HIN and Share Our Strength want to help increase school breakfast participation at your school. Check out our free resource, the Start School With Breakfast Guide which provides the benefits of school breakfast and add your school to the map of school breakfast programs across the country.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and have a happy and healthy school year!
Looking Forward to Fall
As summer comes to an end, I look forward to another great back to school season. This time of year is always full of new beginnings. Whether it’s a new class of students, a newly renovated school building or a new job there are lots of things to be excited about.
NEA HIN has some great NEW resources for educators. You can order these and all of your favorite NEA HIN resources using our online store. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Rx for Understanding (Grades 9-12) – This resource is a standards-based, cross-curricular teaching guide geared for students in grades 9-12. It contains 10 lessons that give students an opportunity to learn key concepts about the misuse, abuse, and proper use of prescription drugs.
- Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives 2013® – This resource was developed for educators to help support your ongoing efforts to teach students about being healthy. Parents, after-school programs, and caregivers can also use the materials in the program.
- How YOU Can Support Healthy Schools – This resource has simple steps you can take to support healthy food choices at your school.
NEA HIN also wants to acknowledge the 2013 NEA HIN Champions. NEA HIN “Champions” are NEA leaders who believe and are willing to help spread the word that students need to be healthy to learn and thrive. Join us in acknowledging these Champions by sharing their inspiring stories. If you are interested in becoming a NEA HIN Champion please email [email protected].
- Kathryn Castle
- Cathy Koehler
- Carolyn Doggett
- Brent McKim
- Elizabeth “Liz” Foster
- Princess Moss
- Sherry J. Morgan
- Carolyn Smith-Evans
- Pat Nicholson
- Donna Nielsen
- Tom Nicholas
Have a happy back to school season from NEA HIN!
Breakfast in the Classroom News
Thanks to the hard work and determination of educators and advocates across the country there is a lot to report about in school breakfast land. At NEA HIN, an important part of our school breakfast work is supporting educators as well as NEA state and local associations to advocate for and implement alternative breakfast programs. Here’s a quick run through of our top breakfast news:
- Arkansas – Cathy Koehler is not only President of the Little Rock Education Association but is one of the biggest supporters of Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) in her school district. In recognition of her service to students and school health, Cathy was named one of Action for Health Kid’s Healthy School Heroes. Cathy was also a 2013 NEA HIN Champion. You can read more about her dedication to healthy and safe schools here.
- Colorado – Recently, important breakfast legislature titled, “Breakfast After the Bell” was put into law requiring Denver Public Schools to serve a nutritious after-the-bell breakfast if 80 percent or more of the student body is eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The bill was supported by the Colorado Education Association and it is estimated that more than 80,000 additional students will now receive the benefits of breakfast. Click here to read more about NEA HIN’s BIC program in Denver.
- Connecticut – NEA HIN has been working closely with our friends at the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) to help increase school breakfast participation. At a recent state breakfast summit hosted by End Hunger CT, Sheila Cohen, President of CEA spoke passionately about how hunger hurts and impedes a student’s ability to learn. She and the CEA Board of Directors also voted to publicly support ‘Breakfast in the Classroom’ and urged schools to participate in the program. You can read more about the ongoing breakfast work in Connecticut here.
- Illinois – The Illinois State Board of Education announced the winners of the Illinois School Breakfast Challenge, showcasing the link between a nutritious breakfast and classroom performance. Schools from across the state were awarded cash prizes for boosting their daily breakfast participation rates. Two of the schools to win an award were Harriet Gifford Elementary and Sheridan Elementary in Elgin, IL. Both schools were funded by NEA HIN and the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom. Click here to learn more about NEA HIN’s BIC program in Elgin.
Last but not least, you can click here to watch NEA HIN’s new Breakfast in the Classroom video. Learn more about how educators are making a difference in ending child hunger and share the video with your friends and colleagues. Stay connected to NEA HIN on Facebook or Twitter and let us know what breakfast news is happening in your school district!
Meet A Few Of Our 2013 NEA HIN Champions!
Since I started working on NEA HIN’s Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program in 2012, I have met passionate educators who are extraordinary leaders and advocates for hungry children. Below are a few of our 2013 NEA HIN Champions who have been instrumental in promoting the work and mission of NEA HIN by helping to ensure that every child starts the school day ready to learn.
Kathryn Castle
President, Elgin Teachers Association
Elgin, Illinois
As President of the Elgin Teachers Association, Kathryn Castle has served as a “School Breakfast Champion” for hungry children. Her school district was chosen as one of ten districts across the country to receive funding from the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom program to implement a Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) project this past school year. Kathryn stated, “We had 10 of our district’s more than 50 schools participate in bringing better service and nutrition to our students. The effort emphasized collaboration of all members of those school communities, from students to staff and parents.” To read more about Kathryn click here.
Cathy Koehler
President, Little Rock Education Association
Little Rock, Arkansas
Since the start of her career, Cathy Koehler has been a health and safety advocate. As President of the Little Rock Education Association, she has been involved with NEA HIN in many different programs. Cathy was one of the earliest adopters of NEA HIN’s Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program and helped to bring her district on board. “From the start, BIC has encouraged and built collaboration in our schools, district, and community among the administration, the school board, community partners, and our association. Through engagement of this network, BIC has spread into more of the district’s schools, providing every student at the sites with equal access and opportunity for a tasty, nutritious breakfast that will help them as they go about their school day.” To read more about Cathy click here.
Brent McKim
President, Jefferson County Teachers Association
Louisville, Kentucky
Brent McKim has always understood the importance of good health and nutrition on student’s academic success. As President of the Jefferson County Teachers Association (JCTA), Brent has been involved with NEA HIN for many years. To read more about Brent click here.
Elizabeth “Liz” Foster
President, Guilford County Association of Educators
Greensboro, North Carolina
Elizabeth “Liz” Foster has always gone above and beyond to help those in need. As the economy crashed, Liz witnessed firsthand the impact of food insecurity among NEA members, children and families in her school district. “I felt that our local association needed to reach out and help our community through innovative programs and to do what is best for children.” Through her leadership and determination as President of the Guilford County Association of Educators, Liz helped bring NEA HIN’s Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program to twelve schools in her district. The program now provides more students with the nutritious breakfasts they need at the start of the school day. To read more about Liz click here.
Sherry J. Morgan
President, Knox County Education Association
Knoxville, Tennessee
Sherry Morgan is an advocate for hungry students in her school district. As President of the Knox County Education Association, Sherry has worked with NEA HIN on the Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) Program. Sherry says, “As a result of this collaboration, more than 2,245 students are eating breakfast because of this program.” To learn more about Sherry click here.
For more information about NEA HIN’s Breakfast in the Classroom program visit our website. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Another Great Day at the Expo!
What a great day we had today! We met over 600 additional educators in the Hall of Health and Safety. We gave away hundreds of publications and our partners reached thousands of NEA members with valuable information and resources. You can see our pictures on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to visit Bag the Junk on Facebook to see all the wonderful carrot pictures in support of healthy school food. They will be up next week.
Thanks to everyone who visited and stopped to join the health and safety movement. We will be working hard all year to make sure that every student and educator has a safe school environment and can make healthy choices every day.
See you next year in Denver.
Educators Are Taking on Child Hunger
You’ve heard the numbers and seen the statistics; 16 million children (about 1 in 5) live in food insecure households in the United States. Hunger can be found in every state, and NEA members see hungry children in their classrooms every day.
Educators are changing the conversation on child hunger and taking a stand against hunger by supporting programs like Breakfast in the Classroom. NEA HIN is pleased to release a new video that highlights the roles educators are playing to ensure their students have the healthy, nutritious food they need to be successful.
Since working at NEA HIN, I have been amazed by the dedication and determination of NEA members to help solve America’s toughest challenges, including child hunger. Educators like:
- Hannah McClorin, a Food Service Manager at Carrollton Elementary School in Maryland, feeds over 500 students a day through a Grab n’ Go universal breakfast model.
- Debra Hufschmitt, a Third Grade Teacher at Sedgefield Elementary School in North Carolina, participates in a breakfast in the classroom program. Since the program started she no longer sees her students coming into class with headaches and stomach aches.
- Mark Jewell, Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Educators, is an advocate for hungry children. He has spoken out about child hunger and knows that children cannot learn when they are hungry.
These are just a few of the voices featured in our new video. Help us spread the word and consider sharing this video with your networks. Together, we can end child hunger.
Educators Explore Healthy and Safe Schools
The NEA Expo opened this morning in Atlanta, Georgia and the Hall of Health and Safety was soon humming with activity. NEA educators coming to the hall were able to visit the booths of NEA HIN, our Bag the Junk project, and our Hall of Health and Safety partners.
Among the highlights of the day were the over 1000 educators who learned about new NEA HIN resources like The Food Allergy Book, Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives (2013), and Rx for Understanding: Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse. They also learned about our new online store. Other visitors learned about our Crisis Guide and the new Jerald L. Newberry School Safety Fund.
We had visits today from a number of NEA HIN Champions who are leading actions, large and small to create healthy and safe schools. And visitors to the NEA HIN booth got the chance to spin our prize wheel where everyone is a winner!
If you are in Atlanta at the Expo, please joins us on July 2 for the second and final day of the NEA Expo. We hope to see you there.
Breakfast in the Classroom Spotlight: Elgin, IL Part 2
The Elgin Teachers Association has been instrumental in working with the school district to champion the Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program. Recently, I was able to catch up with Kathryn Castle, President of the Elgin Teachers Association to hear about the recent BIC media event that took place at Harriet Gifford Elementary School and find out how the program is going. Here’s what she had to say:
1. Tell us about your visit to Harriett Gifford Elementary School and what you saw?
KC: I had the pleasure of sitting in on a 2nd grade classroom. The teachers and students were all very much in a routine for their classroom breakfast. The students were eating without needing assistance or encouragement. While students were eating, other routines continued in preparation for the learning that was to follow.
2. What feedback did you hear from the teachers and school staff about BIC?
KC: A lot of teachers stated that it was a rocky start, as all new processes are, but that things now are now running smoothly. Teachers appreciate being able to express their concerns and opinions about the program and feel that overall students are engaged in the routines and are prepared to learn.
3. Why did ETA want to be involved in bringing the BIC program to Elgin U-46 School District?
KC: The teachers and our school families are a community that comes together in the best interests of our children. We need to support each other in any way we can if our schools are to succeed in providing the best learning environments. The ongoing challenges to bring quality schools to all neighborhoods need the collaborative efforts of many. This project provided the teachers to not only impact the lives of their students, but also allowed their input on how best to make this work in each classroom.
4. Growing up what was your favorite breakfast food?
KC: Snap, Crackle and Pop were always my friends at the breakfast table!
Elgin U-46 School District in Elgin, IL is one of 10 schools districts chosen to receive funding from the Walmart Foundation to increase the number of students participating in the school breakfast program. To learn more about the BIC Program in Elgin, check out Part 1 of our spotlight on their district.
ETA and the Illinois Education Association (IEA) have been valued partners in the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom program. To learn more about ETA visit http://theeta.org/ and to learn more about IEA visit http://www.ieanea.org/.
To learn more about the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom visit www.breakfastintheclassroom.org.
Breakfast in the Classroom Spotlight: Elgin, IL
At Harriet Gifford Elementary School in Elgin, IL Captain Nutrition (a super-hero banana), showed up earlier this month to greet students in the morning and help them get ready for the most important meal of the day, breakfast.
Thanks to a program called Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC), more than 6,300 students at 10 Elgin U-46 School District elementary and middle schools are now offered a free breakfast in their classrooms at the start of the school day. These schools include: Harriett Gifford Elemetary, Channing Elementary, Garfield Elementary, Huff Elementary, Laurel Hill Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Parkwood Elementary, Sheridan Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Ellis Middle School.
Despite the fact that 52% of students in the district qualify for free and reduced-price meals last year, only 18% were actually eating the morning meal. Students are less likely to participate in a cafeteria-based breakfast program because of late bus arrivals, pressure to get into the classroom or the “stigma” associated with eating in the cafeteria in the morning.
However, this year breakfast participation has substantially increased in the 10 schools offering the classroom-based meal program. The district has even received feedback from school staff that there has been fewer visits by students to the school nurse’s office and that student are more focused and ready to learn.
Recently, the school district celebrated their BIC program with an event at Harriet Gifford Elementary School. Want to know more about the event? Check out Part 2 of our spotlight on Elgin, IL to find out what happened from Elgin Teacher Association President Kathryn Castle.
Let us know if you have a breakfast superhero at your school. You can post your comments to our Facebook or Twitter page.
“How Can You Eat Such Junk So Early In The Morning?�? NEA Member Clint Smith Guest Blogs
No experience has ever broadened my perspective the way teaching has. On a daily basis, I bear witness to the small miracles happening in and around my school by the people doing incredible work on behalf of our students and their families. At the same time however, I am also witness to some of the gross injustices in my community that make social, economic, and academic mobility so difficult.
I remember Tyrone, a tall, confident student who is as loquacious as he is bright, walking into my classroom with three bags of salt & vinegar chips, a donut, and a can of Coke at 7:30 in the morning. Initially, I thought of this as simply a one-off occurrence—nothing more than a young boy with teenage taste buds reveling in the freedom to have chips for breakfast every once in a while—harmless. As the days and weeks went on however, the presence of chips, candy, and donuts dangling from Tyrone’s fingers became a classroom staple along with his inability to stay awake in class. “Tyrone, how can you eat such junk so early in the morning?”
“I mean, it’s not like there’s anything else to eat,” he responded matter-of-factly. Taken aback I asked, “Surely you could have gotten some fruit—an apple, a banana, some oranges?” With unapologetic pragmatism, Tyrone replied. “Where would I get that from? There are no grocery stores around here, and these gas stations don’t sell fruit. Come on, Mr. Smith.”
23.5 million Americans live in food deserts, which disproportionately exist in communities of color. Having never lived outside of this neighborhood, my student, Tyrone knows no other reality. Unaware of the correlation between access to healthy food and skin color, he has yet to realize the deep connection between his zip code and his health.
What my kids do or do not eat affects how they are able to perform when they come to my class. Where grocery stores do or do not decide to build affects the health of my students and their families. What places do or do not accept WIC and food stamps affects the life expectancies of the residents in a community.
Whether it is Tyrone, Briana, Jose, or Olivia, the unwarranted difficulty that so many students in low-income neighborhoods experience accessing healthy food has pervasive effects on their ability to succeed academically.
As an educator, I have seen my role in the classroom expand. While some may perceive us as solely academic facilitators, we are also spokespersons for our students and their causes. We champion not only their intellect, but also their well-being.
Please watch “Place Matters” by Clint Smith and share!
Clint Smith is a teacher at Parkdale High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Clint was also awarded the 2013 Christine D. Sarbanes Maryland Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Humanities Council.
This blog originally posted on May 2nd, 2013
CT School Breakfast Summit
I am looking forward to Friday because it’s the 2nd Annual Connecticut School Breakfast Summit! I’ll be in Hartford, CT to join teachers, administrators, community members, food service directors and school nurses to learn about how the School Breakfast Program can foster student academic achievement.
Sponsored by CT No Kid Hungry Campaign, this year’s Summit looks fantastic and will feature Sheila Cohen, President of the Connecticut Education Association (CEA). We are thrilled to be working with CEA and look forward to partnering with them on future breakfast-related projects.
On the agenda are also some great breakout sessions. I will be speaking at a breakout session from 1:05pm-1:45pm on promoting, marketing and increasing participation in school breakfast programs. Joining me to co-present are our partners from the Food Research and Action Center, End Hunger Connecticut! and Share Our Strength. For more information about the School Breakfast Summit visit www.ctschoolbreakfast.org.
If you can’t be in CT on Friday don’t worry—you can follow me on Twitter or Facebook. Talk to you all soon!
Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools
I remember one time in high school, sitting at my tiny desk in English class, listening to my classmates recite the famous balcony scene from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” I recall being surprisingly excited about having to read Old English and wanting to know more about the fate of those “star crossed lovers.” This moment still stands out in my mind. Why? Because I had Mr. Berry as my English teacher and he inspired me to love Shakespeare and motivated me to want to learn!
We at NEA HIN have the privilege of working with dedicated educators from around the country. These men and women not only care about their students’ academic success, but also their overall health and wellbeing.
Through NEA HIN’s Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program, we are working with educators to help tackle the issue of child hunger. In the U.S., over 16 million children are food insecure. This number translates into 1 in 5 students who do not have access to healthy, nutritious food. Child hunger is a solvable problem, and teachers are working to end hunger by ensuring that all of their students have access to school breakfast. Through the BIC program, over 70,000 additional students have been able to reap the benefits of the most important meal of the day. These educators are making a difference and are my superheroes!
So often, the important job of educators is ignored. While it is easy to turn on the TV and hear someone lambasting educators, it is harder to find evidence that teachers are superheroes with super powers that can make any subject seem interesting—and who go the extra mile to help students thrive. They may not have a capes or flashy costumes, but educators are rising to a superhero challenge every single day.
This year, don’t forget to thank a teacher. NEA’s Classroom Superheroes campaign allows parents, students, and community members to show educators the support they deserve. Find out more and then nominate your classroom superheroes. You can even send an appreciation message on Twitter. Be sure to use the hash tag #thankateacher.
Tell us who are the teachers that inspired you? And to all educators, we at NEA HIN wish you a Happy Teacher Day!
What’s For Breakfast?
March has been quite an exciting month thanks to National School Breakfast Week and National Nutrition Month! We are thrilled with the advocacy we have seen, heard and read about in support of school breakfast to help students learn.
This month, teachers, principals, custodians, food service workers, paraeducators and NEA leaders around the country are standing up to demonstrate their commitment to hungry children and school breakfast. With all of the recent data linking breakfast to higher school attendance, math scores and graduation rates, it’s no surprise that lots of people are taking notice!
Here is a list of our top 5 favorite National School Breakfast Week stories. Let us know which one you like best!
- Dallas rocks school breakfast! The Dallas Independent School District (DISD) recently voted to combat hunger by bringing breakfast into the classroom for all of its 157,000 students. DISD was one of our first Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) districts to come on board thanks to the support of NEA Dallas. This great video from the Egg Nutrition Center (ENC) Teacher-Exchange shows the BIC program in action.
- Little Rock knows the importance of school breakfast! Little Rock Education Association (LREA) President Cathy Koehler is a champion for ending child hunger in her district. She has been spreading the word about the importance of BIC and in this video she partners with No Kid Hungry Arkansas to highlight the BIC program at Franklin Elementary in Little Rock, AR.
- Colorado supports Breakfast in the Classroom! Colorado Education Association (CEA) President Kerrie Dallman and Vice President Amie Baca-Oehlert share breakfast with kindergarteners at Dupont Elementary in Commerce City. CEA promotes BIC as an effective way to improve student health and achievement. This video shows both Kerrie and Amie in action and helping out with breakfast after the bell!
- Give every child a free breakfast! John Wilson wrote a great blog for Education Week about raising the consciences of decision-makers to make new commitments to implement breakfast programs that feed every child in our schools.
- School breakfast matters! National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel says, “Over 16 million children are food insecure, but if we work together, we can change the lives of students affected by hunger.” Check out his call to action!
To find out more about breakfast in the classroom, visit our breakfast page. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Food for Thought: Why School Breakfast Matters – A Lot
I remember the students who came to my class without eating breakfast. They were tired, unable to concentrate and always asking to visit the nurse’s office. These children thought more of their next meal than geometry or algebra. As a former math teacher with 23 years in the classroom, I have seen too many children struggle because of hunger. As president of the National Education Association, I hear from teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians and other school employees who see the faces of malnourished children every day and cannot stand idle.
No child deserves to go hungry. At the start of this school year, I challenged us as a nation to tackle the scourge of child hunger. Over 16 million children are food insecure. That’s more than 1 in 5 children in the United States who do not have access to adequate, nutritious food. March, which began with National School Breakfast Week, is a good time to remind people that child hunger exists and is a solvable problem – if we work together.
The NEA Health Information Network and School Nutrition Foundation along with the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom are making inroads by working to end hunger in schools across the country. These groups are modifying the federally-funded School Breakfast Program to provide breakfast to students in their classrooms at the start of the school day. To date, Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) has enabled over 70,000 students to reap the benefits associated with the most important meal of the day. The program is successful because everyone in the school building is united under a shared goal: changing the lives of students affected by hunger.
Research shows that students who eat school breakfast attend 1.5 more days of school per year and achieve a whopping 17.5 percent higher score in math, according to a new report from Share Our Strength. This report also found that students who attend class regularly have a 20 percent higher rate of graduating high school, which translates into higher wages and higher employment. Good nutrition is an integral part of a child’s overall success. This report provides further proof of the undeniable connection between good health and learning.
Fighting child hunger requires a holistic approach, from support programs like BIC and sharing resources that increase knowledge about this issue, to protecting federal food assistance services like the School Breakfast Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. These nutrition and safety net programs are vital to our children’s future, and we cannot afford to lose them as Congress hammers out a solution to budget-slashing “sequestration” cuts.
The political issues being debated on Capitol Hill can be complex; the solution to hunger is not. NEA is proud to support initiatives that increase student participation in school breakfast, because our children are counting on us.
Dennis Van Roekel is president of the National Education Association and an NEA HIN Board Member.
Learn more about NEA’s work to stem child hunger and follow along on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@NEAHIN
This blog was adapted from a post that appeared on the School Nutrition Foundation’s website Beyond Breakfast.