We are excited to be running a Pilot program called Universal Breakfast at all our campuses. This program will allow us to serve breakfast to all students at no charge. We will start when we return from Spring Break, March 25, and run through the end of the school year. This time frame will allow sufficient serving data to determine if it is financially feasible to run for next school year. We will be meeting with individual Building Administrators to determine the best location and service style to reach as many students as possible.
Every child should start the school day with a healthy breakfast. Studies show that students who skip breakfast generally have slower memory recall, make more errors and are more likely to be absent or tardy and to repeat a grade. Students who eat breakfast generally have better vitamin and nutrient intake, enjoy overall healthier diets and are less prone to being overweight or obese.
Skipping Breakfast has a Negative Effect on Health: When students miss a healthy morning meal they go to class hungry. Hunger is associated with lower physical activity, stomachaches, headaches, depression, anxiety and a decreased ability to focus.
Skipping Breakfast has a Negative Impact on Learning: Studies show that students who skip breakfast generally have slower memory recall, make more errors and are more likely to be absent or tardy and to repeat a grade.
Improved School Achievements: Students who eat breakfast consistently show improvement in verbal fluency, arithmetic, tests of attention, memory, creativity, physical endurance, and general tests of academic achievement and cognitive functioning.
Improved Memory, Listening Skills: A Tufts University study showed elementary school students who eat breakfast listen better and have better spatial memory and short-term memory than students who skip breakfast.
Better Behaved: Researchers found low-income students who ate meals at school were less likely to be hyperactive and had fewer behavioral or attention problems than their hungry peers.
Higher Rates Of Attendance: Studies show that universal school breakfast program participation is associated with higher rates of attendance and declines in tardiness.
Click here to view the press release
Resources for classrooms, teachers, and children
Health & wellness services
Fee waivers for college applications & admission tests
Before & after school academic & enrichment programs
Free or reduced meal prices for healthy, nutritious meals
OPAA Food Service
Child Nutrition Reimagined
