Only 19.7% of Iowa students participate in the School Breakfast Program. Late busses, busy morning schedules, lack of awareness and stigma are some reasons that students go without eating.
Hungry students are distracted by the discomfort of growling stomachs, headaches, drowsiness, inability to concentrate, and overall restlessness. When kids have needed nutrition, academic outcomes improve, absenteeism and behavioral referrals decrease.
Connect with school administrators on the important role School Breakfast can play on academic success! Share participation trends and challenges and explore creative delivery models (i.e. grab n’ go, breakfast in the classroom, 2nd chance). Encourage them to reinforce the importance of breakfast with students, teachers, and families.
Are you having success with school breakfast? Share a summary of what has worked to increase school breakfast participation in your school with Carrie Scheidel at carrie.scheidel@iowa.gov and be showcased as a best practice.
To learn more, join a webinar on Strategies to Increase School Breakfast Participation on Oct. 28, from 2-3 p.m.
Photo: Grab n' Go breakfast food cart at Hoover High School in Des Moines
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