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