Schools across the nation celebrated in National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) from March 2-6 with various cafeteria promotions and activities with the goal of increasing the number of students who opt for eating breakfast at school. This year, the School Nutrition Association set the theme of “Make the Grade with School Breakfast” for the celebration week. It has been said many times that eating breakfast is important and particularly for kids, eating breakfast allows them to perform better in the classroom. So that is exactly where elementary food service staff took the health message of eating school breakfast. Thirteen elementary schools across the county dispatched their cafeteria staff into classrooms of first, second and third graders to read James Wakes Up to School Breakfast written by Richard Parks.
Mr. Stan shows first graders the cover of the book James Wakes Up to School Breakfast before reading.
On Tuesday of NSBW, Mr. Stan read to Ms. Foster’s 1st grade class at Gulf Highlands Elementary School. He was quickly recognized by the students as they eagerly made their way to the mat. “When James ate breakfast he felt better and had more energy” read Mr. Stan. “How many of you eat school breakfast?” Mr. Stan asked of the students with several hands being raised in response. On Friday of NSBW, Ms. Suzanne read to Ms. Bauza’s 2nd grade class at Denham Oaks Elementary School. “James is a good student. However, there was a time when he had trouble in class” Ms. Suzanne read. “Have any of you ever had trouble in class before?” One student shared that he had fallen asleep once and missed the directions. Another student suggested that eating breakfast is good because it gives you a lot of energy so you can do well.
Ms. Suzanne reading to second graders, showing pictures of the story on the overhead projector.
San Antonio Elementary, Anclote Elementary, Odessa Elementary, Rodney B. Cox Elementary, Sand Pine Elementary, Lake Myrtle Elementary, Gulfside Elementary, Northwest Elementary, Cypress Elementary, Hudson Elementary and Veterans Elementary- all participated in spreading the important message of eating school breakfast through the book reading during NSBW. In total, 112 classrooms were read to and received a copy of James Wakes Up to School Breakfast for their classroom library. Many thanks to each of them in their desire to not only provide healthy school meals but to take an active role in reaching students with healthy messages.
To learn more about the School Nutrition Association, visit their website.
Guest Blogger: Raneitra Grover, MPH, Team Nutrition Coordinator, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
