Complimentary Breakfast in the Classroom

BSISD Food Service Department affirms that the nutritional needs of our students are a vital part of the educational experience. We are dedicated to serving our students a quality meal in an environment that would exceed customer expectations.

Smart Start will consist of a 2 week rotating menu with periodic adjustments.

Smart Start is an educational benefit first and foremost to students.

 Big Spring I.S.D. Food Service

All children and classroom teachers eat free.  Once you bring the food to the kids, just about every child eats.   With breakfast being the most important health and learning meal of the day, classroom breakfast is a winner for the students, their families, their teachers and the whole school.

HOW DOES CLASSROOM BREAKFAST WORK?

We will keep it simple and that is why it will work.  All 2-6 grade students are offered a breakfast at their desk at the start of the school day.  This is the process:

• Cafeteria staff packs the breakfast according to the menu.  Hot foods will be sent in insulated containers.  Cold foods will be sent in coolers on wheels.

• Selected 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th grade students (this can be a reward system) go to the pick up  (cafeteria or hall) and bring to classroom.

• Students select their meal and take it to their desks. They must choose 3 of the 4 items offered.

• If an item offered provides 2 parts of the meal then it is counted that way.  For example a sausage biscuit provides the meat and the bread portion so it counts as two items.

• Each student will have a place mat that is a sheet of aluminum foil and will place their meal choices on the foil and eat.

• Teachers mark students who eat on the roster that will be provided and places this roster back in the containers that will be returned.  Cashiers will input this information into computer system for counting and claiming purposes.

• While the students are eating, the teacher takes attendance, delivers daily announcements, or uses the breakfast items as the focus for a short nutrition education lesson (lessons can be provided by food service).

• The student folds all throw away items up in the foil and deposits it in the trash bag.  Student wipes desk if there is any spills.

• Trash bag goes to outside of the room along with the other containers and any untouched food.

• Janitorial staff picks up the trash bags.

• Cafeteria staff picks up the containers.

• All classrooms will be provided with napkins, straws and other necessary items.

Within 10-15 minutes, all the students are fed a healthy breakfast and the class is really ready to learn.

WHAT’S FOR BREAKFAST?

Meals will include breakfast sandwiches, cereal, muffins, cheese sticks, juice, fruit cups and milk.  The meal pattern of the National School Breakfast Program must be followed each day.  Simplicity is the key.  No syrup or other sticky items will be offered but menus will be planned so there is a variety.

WHAT ABOUT THE KINDERGARTEN & 1ST GRADE STUDENT?

It will be possible for Kindergarten and first grade students to go into the cafeteria to eat their meals after the other meals are sent out to the rooms.  All will be served free the same menu as the classroom menu.  The last few weeks of the school year we will train the first grade students in the classroom so they will be ready to experience breakfast in the classroom as they start their 2nd grade year.  Any campus that wants all classroom meals is encouraged to do so but must make prior arrangements with the food service office.

       WHO PAYS FOR THOSE FREE BREAKFASTS?

Coupled with improved student test scores and nutritional benefits is the financial benefit to the district from the increased federal and state revenue from meal reimbursements.  While overhead for food costs will increase proportionately, based on the efficiencies of quantity prep, the larger volume of meals will require only a minimal increase in labor costs.  The food service department will still receive a federal reimbursement for meals consumed by paying students BUT because we capture extra free and reduced meal reimbursements it helps to pay for the cost of the other meals.  Because BSISD has such a high number of economically disadvantaged students this free program is a win for all. Adult meals can be served free IF the adult is assisting in the service of the meal to the students and is an allowed expense of the School Breakfast Program.  The goal of this program is not to make a financial profit but a nutritional one.  With this in mind we believe that it will pay for itself and perhaps generate marginal profits after expenses.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Studies in districts across the state have proven that this program is an educational benefit first and foremost to students.  Students who come to school hungry are distracted by the discomfort of growling stomachs, headaches and overall restlessness.  Often they are drowsy and unable to concentrate.  School nurses see the effects of this.  A nutritional balanced breakfast will help alleviate these issues and improve student performance.  On the day of tests each year Principals and school advocates such as PTA will order special foods in an effort to enhance the student’s concentration.  While this is an admirable effort, it fails to address the nutritional needs of those same children when the test information is originally taught.  In other school districts a decrease of 29-49% in tardiness, absenteeism and disciplinary office referrals have been proven within a year of implementation of breakfast free to all students.

PARENT/STUDENT/STAFF ORIENTATION

Letters to parents will go out with school meal applications in August prior to the beginning of school.  A media release will also be issued prior to the beginning of school.

Students will be the most accepting and easiest to train in this process and their learning will take place during the implementation.

Classroom teachers at campuses will be instructed during in-service times.  Schedule this with Principals.

Food Service staff will go through training prior to the beginning of the school year and supervisors will get additional training.

PROJECTIONS

WHEN DO WE START?

The food service department will began the breakfast in the classroom service the 1st day of school of the 09/10 school year.  Supplies for this implementation will be purchased during the summer with funds from the 07/08 school year.