31 Days of #RealSchoolFood: Breakfast Changes Everything

School Meals That Rock

As I walked off an airplane yesterday in Denver, the large Food Network–No Kid Hungrysign was straight in front of me. The only thing that would have made it a more appropriate greeting would have been my other mantra: Breakfast. Every Student. Every Day. 

Denver International Airport, December 1, 2014

Breakfast does change everything for children. Breakfast changes their ability to focus, concentrate and learn – to listen to their teachers rather than their stomachs. Breakfast changes behavior too. Hungry children are often anxious, distracted and attention seeking. Breakfast changes school attendance patterns as well. A November 24, 2014, article in JAMA Pediatrics confirmed that a Breakfast in the Classroom program can dramatically increase breakfast participation and improve school attendance as well.

The accompanying editorial “Continued Promise of School Breakfast Programs for Improving Academic Outcomes: Breakfast Is Still the Most Important Meal of the Day” summarizes the…

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Rising to the Breakfast Challenge…

Rising to the Breakfast Challenge…

We are happy to report that Tewksbury has met the Mass Breakfast Challenge from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, by increasing participation for breakfast by 35%!  Research shows that hungry students can’t learn and that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day.  As an effort to reinforce that message, Massachusetts is challenging districts across the state to increase breakfast participation by at least 35% each quarter.

Breakfast is available in grades 3-12 at Tewksbury schools (K-2 implementation will be later this year) and is a healthy and economic option for busy families.

Eat Breakfast and Fuel Your Brain for Learning!! For more information on the challenge: MA School Breakfast

 

Does the current school food fight benefit hungry kids and hard-working nutrition professionals?

School Meals That Rock

To all my friends and colleagues in the school nutrition world: AASA, AFHK, AHG, AND, CSPI, CIA, SNA, USDA, agriculture, industry and food advocates of all flavors … 

Those who know me professionally know that I have devoted my life to excellence in child nutrition programs. You know how strongly I believe that every child in American deserves to be well nourished and ready to succeed.

Those who know me personally will understand that my family situation (caring for my father in hospice at his home in California) prevents me from jumping into the current whirlwind of school lunch politics. I do not have the time or energy to sort through the conflicting claims and feeding frenzy of media messages to choose a particular side in this food fight. From what I have read, there are valid points on all sides. School meals are a complicated, nuanced issue, one that…

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Does the current school food fight benefit hungry kids and hard-working nutrition professionals?

Does the current school food fight benefit hungry kids and hard-working nutrition professionals?.

Does the current school food fight benefit hungry kids and hard-working nutrition professionals?

Does the current school food fight benefit hungry kids and hard-working nutrition professionals?.

Smoothie Winners

 Congratulations to our Ryan School Smoothie winners!  Students tried it — students liked it — students know healthy!

Madison Robillard, Grade 5

1)      1 frozen banana

2)      6-8 frozen strawberries

3)      1 TBSP sunbutter

4)      1 tsp. honey

5)      Vanilla yogurt

6)      2 tsp. cinnamon

7)      1 cup milk

Blend and whoola!

 

Tyler Demers, Grade 6

1)      1/3 cup – 1% milk

2)      2 cups – Dannon All Natural Vanilla Yogurt

3)      ½ banana

4)      7 medium strawberries

5)      6 blueberries

6)      1 tsp. honey

Blend and pour – yummm!

Make it a great day with breakfast!

Author: Emma, 9th Grade

Eating breakfast is a great way to ensure a good day! The nutrients from breakfast will give you energy to learn and do your school work, and has been proven to help improve scores.

 When one has more energy, they tend to be in a better mood throughout the day, improving their school experience. If more students start their day with a healthy breakfast, the school will have a more upbeat and energetic atmosphere. Students who do not eat breakfast tend to be irritable and grumpy because they are unfocused. Students who don’t eat breakfast have been proven to have lower test scores than those who eat breakfast.

 Breakfast also lowers cholesterol and helps children maintain a healthy weight, lowering the risk of type two diabetes and other health risks. 

Overall, eating breakfast will have a large effect on your day, so make it a great day or not, (eat breakfast!) the choice is yours!

Stop by the school cafeteria for breakfast daily!

Breakfast helps you concentrate

Miranda H., 9^TH Grade

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because most kids end up going a long time without eating causing semi starvation.   

Eating breakfast will help you stay concentrated during the day and also will improve your behavior.  People that skip breakfast to lose weight will not lose weight, your metabolism will slow down. Skipping breakfast causes you to eat more throughout the day therefore, adding more calories in your day.  Breakfast eaters tend to be more focused in school because they aren’t fighting the hunger feeling. Breakfast is important for not only your health but also for your academics.

School Breakfast served daily in your school cafeteria.  Stop by!

Be Smart from the Start!

SCHOOL BREAKFAST LOGO CONTEST

Congratulations…

OLIVIA SATTERFIELD, North Street Elementary School

FANTASTIC!  Check out Olivia’s essay on the benefits of breakfast below:

“Breakfast is very important, especially during a school day.  So eat it!  When you eat breakfast it fuels up your brain.   It is also very important because it will put a smile on your face.  When you don’t eat breakfast it will make your tummy growl and it will put a frown on your face.  Next, it is important because while you are in your class you can’t concentrate if you are hungry, you will justfocus on the clock and not the teacher.  Last, breakfast is most important because you can just have fun when you eat it, but you will be bored when don’t because (like I said) breakfast gives your brain energy to think of fun and unique things that you could do when you’ve eaten breakfast.   I LOVE breakfast and eat it every day.  I HOPE YOU WILL TOO! ” (Olivia Satterfield, North Street)

Thanks to all the students from the North Street and Trahan Elementary Schools — that participated in the competition, you all did a great job! 

Don’t forget school breakfast is served daily in your school cafeteria!

Tewksbury celebrates National School Breakfast Week

Breakfast for Lunch, Tuesday, March 4th (Egg Sandwich on WW Croissant, Yogurt, Hash Brown and 100% Juice)

Elementary School Logo Contest Winner to be announced Friday, March 7th

Ryan School Smoothie Recipe Contest Winner to be announced Friday, March 14th