| For many years, scholars have recognized | | | | overcome the obstacles of perception and |
| the link between a good breakfast and | | | | timing: |
| improved student behavior and academic | | | | • Nearly 80 elementary schools now |
| performance. Boston schools see | | | | offer a universal breakfast - all |
| breakfast as their first tool of | | | | children eat together for free. The |
| success. | | | | "poor kid" stigma has been eliminated. |
| In 2000, the Boston schools partnered | | | | • Participating Boston schools make |
| with the Massachusetts General Hospital | | | | breakfast a normal and expected part of |
| to conduct a study on the impact of the | | | | the morning schedule - no different than |
| federal School Breakfast Program in 16 | | | | taking attendance. |
| of their elementary schools. Researchers | | | | • Boston schools serve breakfast in |
| found that a simple breakfast of milk, | | | | a variety of ways, using the method that |
| juice and cereal provides a fourth of | | | | works best for each individual school's |
| the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of | | | | culture. Methods range from serving cold |
| key nutrients needed by growing | | | | or hot food in the classroom from a |
| children. Breakfast reduces hunger in | | | | cooler or thermal pack; grab and go, |
| the classroom and improves the overall | | | | brown bag breakfasts; sending students |
| nutrition of the students. They found | | | | to the cafeteria after attendance; or a |
| that student behavior and grades | | | | combination of these approaches. |
| improved, especially in mathematics. | | | | • Involving the children makes the |
| Students were able to spend more time on | | | | program more successful. Children |
| tasks and were more creative. Attendance | | | | rotating being in charge of food |
| improved. Students demonstrated better | | | | delivery to the classroom, |
| concentration facilities and improved | | | | after-breakfast trash removal, and |
| emotional functioning. Trips to the | | | | returning leftovers to the cafeteria |
| nurse's office were drastically reduced. | | | | instills pride and responsibility. They |
| Breakfast is by far the least expensive | | | | become part of the program, not just |
| program for improving academic | | | | participants. |
| achievement, yet less than half the | | | | The Boston schools have been recognized |
| children eligible for the free or | | | | for their efforts in the School |
| reduced price meals participate | | | | Breakfast Program. Project Bread, the |
| nationwide. One major obstacle is | | | | state's leading anti-hunger organization |
| perception - breakfast programs are | | | | and Boston schools partner in the School |
| viewed as programs for the "poor kids", | | | | Breakfast Program, awards Boston schools |
| a label many students wish to avoid. The | | | | that have achieved an 80 percent or |
| other major obstacle is timing. Most | | | | greater student participation - the |
| schools across the country serve | | | | point at which the breakfast program |
| breakfast before the start of school - | | | | pays for itself with federal dollars. |
| children who arrive late due to tight | | | | In 2002, Project Bread recognized 10 |
| morning schedules or on buses that are | | | | elementary schools with the School |
| late, miss breakfast. | | | | Breakfast Excellence Award. Each award |
| Many of the Boston schools have | | | | is $1,000 that the school's principal |
| implemented innovative strategies to | | | | can use for any school-related expense. |