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!
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