Mornings are always hectic and making sure everyone in the house is dressed and fueled for the day, with a healthy and nutritious breakfast, can be a challenge! School breakfast provides a solution to help make mornings a little less hectic, while meeting high nutrition standards and improving students’ learning experiences.
Parents and students are excited about the new school breakfast offerings at Niwot Elementary in St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) because on busy mornings, it will be one less thing to worry about before getting out the door. For some students at Niwot, it will mean even more: a better academic year, better opportunities and a brighter future.
According to one parent at Niwot Elementary "Most days I work later, we usually have breakfast at home, but when I have to go to work early, it's nice to be able to give my daughter breakfast at school."
“St. Vrain Valley Schools Nutrition Services recognizes the importance of breakfast in order to set students up for success, explains Shelly Allen, nutrition director. “Kids need the right foods to fuel their brain and body at the beginning of each day. When students come to school and have not eaten, they may report not feeling well and have less energy. School breakfast provides the right fuel and has been correlated with a decrease in absences, improved attention span, behavior, and higher test scores.”
This fall, SVVSD continued its rollout of school breakfast at Niwot and Prairie Ridge elementary schools. To celebrate, students were invited to bring their parent to enjoy school breakfast and attend a Fuel Up to Play 60 assembly, hosted by Dairy MAX and Miles, mascot for the Denver Broncos. Miles entertained the students and parents with a mix of songs, dancing and information about MyPlate and the importance of eating a healthy, nutritious breakfast.
Some parents may worry about their child eating a second breakfast at school after eating breakfast at home, but there is no need for alarm. Studies show that eating a second breakfast does not lead to obesity.
And when 1 in 6 children in the U.S. is food insecure, every opportunity to serve a healthy, free breakfast at school should be celebrated.
Does your school serve free breakfast in the classroom? If they don’t, refer them to the Dairy Dollars for Schools program for funding and tips to get their breakfast program started.
