“Breakfast makes me think better” says Daniel, a student from Cochran Elementary in Louisville, KY. Cochran is one of 19 Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) selected to receive a grant to implement breakfast in the classroom.
From the teachers to the custodians, food service workers and principals, everyone in Jefferson County is working together to ensure that no child starts the school day hungry.” We could not be happier with the fact that our students are full and they are ready to learn and it’s because of breakfast in the classroom”, says Cochran Elementary Principal Tim Foster.
In the short time since Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) was implemented this school year, the results have been astounding. According to the district, they’re seeing several benefits, including improved attendance and a reduction of behavior referrals and late arrivals.
JCPS was selected to receive a BIC grant because of its high free and reduced student population and strong stakeholder support for the program. 64% of students in JCPS qualify for a free or reduced-price meal, but only a fraction of students were participating in school breakfast. Among one of the earliest supporters of the program, the Jefferson County Teachers Association (JCTA) championed this initiative.
Brent McKim, President of JCTA, was instrumental in getting the Superintendent and the School Board engaged in the program. He also worked with the district to set up a training for JCTA members at the BIC schools before the program was rolled out. Thanks to the work of Brent and JCTA , teachers and support staff were well prepared and trained on their roles in BIC before the program was implemented. In a recent BIC media event Brent stated, “JCTA is proud to be a sponsor of the BIC program. Our members know that when kids come ready to learn they can be successful. An important part of being ready to learn is having a nutritious breakfast and the best way to ensure kids have a nutritious breakfast is to have it right there in the classroom. That’s what this program is all about.” The support from stakeholders in the school building has made the program a shining example of what a successful BIC program looks like.
Recently, I was able to talk with Brent about BIC and JCTA’s role in the program. Here’s what Brent had to say.
1. How did JCTA first become involved in the BIC program?
Jerry Newberry, the Executive Director of NEA HIN came up to me at NEA’s annual Representative Assembly and said that he needed to talk to me about something. He gave me his business card and told me to call him that evening. When I did, he said that he had a great program called breakfast in the classroom and asked if it was something JCTA would be interested. After he explained the program I felt like I was being asked if I wanted a winning lottery ticket. Later, I spoke with the JCTA board, the Superintendent of JCPS Dr. Donna Hargens and school board members to ensure that the program would happen.
2. What feedback have you heard from the students and school staff about the BIC program?
JCTA board members have been extremely positive about the program. I have received a number of emails from teachers who love BIC. There are some members who have expressed some challenges but we are working with them and the district to resolve any and all issues. Also, I have been able to visit some of the BIC schools and the kids are so excited about the program, they love it.
3. Why did JCTA want to be involved in bringing the BIC program to JCPS?
As I stated earlier, we were very interested in doing BIC because it was not only the right thing to do for kids but JCTA understands the power of good nutrition on students learning.
JCTA worked with NEA HIN to make sure that everyone in the 19 schools was aware of the program and on board from the beginning. With any new program, teachers and school staff need to be involved on the forefront to avoid any potential mishaps. JCTA, JCPS and NEA HIN provided a great BIC training for school staff before the program was implemented. I feel the training was a major reason in the program’s success.
Also, the program was an opportunity for us to work in tandem with the school district and food services department. We assigned a UniServ Director to monitor the progress of the program and after the program was rolled out the UniServ Director was able to visit every BIC school and collect feedback from JCTA members. It has been very exciting for us to work on a critical issue like hunger and make a positive impact in our schools and community.
4. Now tell us about yourself! Growing up what was your favorite breakfast food?
Well, I am a High school science teacher and have been President of JCTA since 2001. As a child I probably did not have the most nutritious breakfast I could have. Most mornings I just had cold cereal or a pop tart. As a matter of fact, I might be just a little bit jealous of the kids in the Breakfast in the Classroom program!
Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KY 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.
If you want to learn more about BIC and if you are in the Louisville area next month, visit NEA HIN at the National NEA Education Support Professionals Conference. We will be in town from March 8-10 and will be presenting a session on Breakfast in the Classroom. Joining us as a co-presenter for the BIC session is Jeanine Nicole Ross, the Secretary of JCTA.
JCTA and the Kentucky Education Association (KEA) have been valued partners in the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom program. To learn more about the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom visit www.breakfastintheclassroom.org.
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