For Immediate Release
March 4, 2024
“Breakfast in the Classroom” Program Increases Student’s Access to the Most Important Meal of the Day
In honor of National School Breakfast Week, we are proud to spotlight an incredible breakfast meal program in our district. With funding from OSPI, the Marysville School District is pleased to offer a breakfast meal to students in the classrooms at three elementary schools.
Msvl. WA - Although a free breakfast is available and offered every morning at each school in the Marysville School District, many students skip this meal. Fortunately, with funding from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Marysville School District provides an extra opportunity at three elementary schools. The “Breakfast in the Classroom” program is offered at Quil Ceda Tulalip, Liberty, and Marshall Elementary schools, increasing student access to this critical meal by providing a breakfast meal in the classroom. Our dedicated food service staff prepares and bags a meal for every student. A cart of meals is wheeled into each classroom and then distributed to students with the help of classroom teachers, paraeducators, student helpers, and other school staff.
“Breakfast in the Classroom” allows students to eat breakfast and start their day without an empty stomach. Many teachers build breakfast time into their class schedule. Students spend the first 10-15 minutes of class time on activities that accommodate breakfast eating – like announcements, attendance, and morning check-ins.
Students and staff highly regard the “Breakfast in the Classroom” program. The Marysville School District’s Child Nutrition Department sees higher student participation in the program than in traditional breakfast programs. District Specialist Lindsey Fitch noted, “It is the accessibility that makes this program so successful. Food is brought right to them. In addition, students see their peers eating breakfast and would rather join than just watch them eat.”
Increased breakfast participation before a day of learning is incredibly valuable to student success. According to the School Nutrition Association, “Students who eat breakfast are more likely to reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math, score higher on standardized tests, have better concentration and memory, be more alert, and maintain a healthy weight.”
OSPI fully funds this program and determines which schools are eligible.
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Contact:
Jodi Runyon, Director of Communications,
Engagement and Outreach
jodi_runyon@msd25.org(360) 965-0005