Breakfast in the Classroom at a school with 97% poverty

Dr. Maya Lagbara, principal of Harrell Budd Elementary School in Dallas Texas speaks on the positive effects of the Breakfast in the Classroom program at an advocacy meeting at the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB).  97% of the students at Dr. Lagbara's school qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. The NTFB aims to supplement the recent school staff and budget cuts by supplying schools with trained volunteers to assist in programs such as Breakfast in the Classroom.

Overview of the work of the Texas Hunger Initiative

Bill Ludwig, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, speaks on hunger issues in Texas and outlines the important work of the Texas Hunger Initiative.

Breakfast in the Classroom - Mart ISD

A student eats breakfast while
working on morning lessons

         86% of the students of Mart Middle school qualify for free or reduced school breakfast and lunch, according to superintendent Todd Gooden, and he says that the number of eligible students has been growing over the last few years.  In an effort to ensure that all students start their school day having eaten the most important meal of the day, Mart ISD implemented Breakfast in the Classroom two years ago.

Breakfast for the Day
Sausage Biscuits and Milk     

              During 2^nd period a pre-selected student heads to the school cafeteria to pick up a tray of breakfast items.  The teacher in each classroom distributes the food and students eat during announcements and instruction time.  “The only major issue was clean up, but we’ve since worked out an efficient system,” said principal Tawnya Nail.  Students initially cleaned their desks with spray bottles but are now given handi-wipes (the spray bottles were often not used for their intended purpose).  Nail commented that Breakfast in the Classroom has had a great impact in Mart Middle School – “Kids are happier and can focus on academics because they aren’t distracted by a rumbling stomach.  Test scores have gone up.”

a student delivers breakfast to
her classroom

           

       The breakfast program has had a significant impact in Mart's High School, which is an open campus (students may go off school grounds for meals).  The stigma that surrounds eating breakfast at school (implying a lower social standing) is shrinking.  Many of the High School students are now even sticking around for on campus lunch.