By Maria Pless, Gateway Communications Intern
Littleville first grader Kaitlyn Hawley picks up her breakfast to bring to her classroom. (Photo submitted)
HUNTINGTON – Breakfast, the most important meal of the day, is offered at all Gateway Schools. This year, Littleville Elementary changed their school breakfast to a grab and go system. Last year, Principal Megan Coburn grew concerned that an estimated 20 students a day (out of 300) were eating breakfast at school. She noted that elementary school kids had a tough decision to make in the morning: either breakfast or recess. Despite a large percentage of the school being eligible for free or reduced meals, many of the children were choosing to go out and play in the morning with their friends. Who would blame a kid for wanting to go outside and play?
To combat this Coburn and Gateway Food Services Director Tasha Hartley decided to try one of the USDA’s Breakfast in the Classroom models, “Grab & Go” Breakfast. Instead of an outdoor recess, all children now report to their homerooms in the morning with the option of grabbing breakfast from the cafeteria and bringing it back to the classroom to eat. With all staff on board, “Grab & Go” Breakfast has been a great success with the number of kids who now get breakfast more than doubling. Nationally, research shows an 82 percent increase in class participation combined with an overall increase in attentiveness, proving that breakfast has a significant impact on a child’s day. These statistics have been carried back to the classroom as staff report positive outcomes with this new system. “It’s a better start to the day,” Coburn said, adding that the environment of the school is just better, with a significant upturn in mood, as students are starting their day right with bellies full of food.
Although staff have recognized clear benefits, the students like it too. Fourth-grader Makayla Fernengel likes it because, “It saves more time in the morning getting ready.” She does not have to think about what she’s going to eat because she just gets her breakfast at school. Another student, second grader Thea Meyerhoff said, “I like it a lot. I like that you can eat it in the classroom while you’re working.”
Students also have the ability to eat breakfast with their classmates promoting inclusivity in the classroom. Food Services Director Tasha Hartley has introduced a new perspective saying, “With kids eating in smaller classroom settings, it brings a more nurturing environment. Doing this, they get to know other students who they may not have normally in a cafeteria setting”. With great success on their first year of Breakfast in the Classroom, Littleville hopes to keep it going for future years to come.
