Traditionally, students eat breakfast in the cafeteria before the bell rings, however, participation is generally low when compared to the National School Lunch Program. Many barriers exist that limit children and youth from eating breakfast in the cafeteria such as not enough time to eat breakfast or the bus schedule. Eating breakfast is vital to childhood learning. According to the Food Research & Action Center, students who participate in school breakfast show improved attendance, behavior, academic performance, fewer trips to the nurse as well as decreased tardiness.^[1,2,3]

With Breakfast-in-the-classroom, students eat together in the classroom after the first bell thus creating an environment where all students have access to healthy and delicious meals which ultimately makes breakfast more accessible to all no matter what barriers exist. Students have the opportunity to enjoy a well-balanced meal while the teacher takes attendance or starts the lesson for that day.

Here at Phoenix #1 we are proud to offer breakfast-in-the-classroom at Bethune, Capital, Dunbar, Edison, Emerson, Faith North, Garfield, Heard, Herrera, Kenilworth, Lowell, Magnet, and Whittier.

Thank you to all of our staff and students that have made Breakfast-in-the-Classroom a success! We love happy and healthy students with full tummies!

References

[1] School Meal Participation Contributes to Positive Mental Health Outcomes - Food Research & Action Center
[2] Research Brief: The connections between Food Insecurity, the Federal Nutrition Programs and Student Behavior
[3] School Meals are Essential for Student Health and Learning