Schools looking to boost food program
By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff Writer
Studies show that students who eat a well-balanced breakfast do much better in school than those who do not.
That's why the Franklin County school system is trying to boost its breakfast attendance at each of the county's six schools.
Carol Humphres, director of the child nutrition program, said that the system has implemented a program titled "Bee Totally Cool, Don't Miss Breakfast at School," in an effort to increase the number of students who are participating in the school breakfasts during the month of November.
Currently, there is only a small percentage of qualified students taking advantage of the breakfasts.
Humphres and superintendent Bill Moss said that there are a number of possible reasons why students do not eat breakfast at school, one of which is due to the fast paced world in which we live.
Each of the county's six schools, Vina, Red Bay, Belgreen, Phil Campbell, Tharptown and East Franklin serve breakfast in the school cafeteria each morning from 7-7:50 a.m.
Many studies show that students who eat breakfast have increased math and reading scores, decreases in student absence and tardiness as well as better behavior and attentiveness.
In addition to the importance that breakfast plays in the overall success of a student's academics, the school breakfast program is also beneficial to local families finances. The meals are relatively inexpensive, if there is a cost at all.
Parents can fill out applications anytime during a semester that determines if their child may eat for free or for a reduced rate. The meals only cost $1 and are only $.30 for students who qualify for reduced meals.
The system has a chicken stew sale planned for Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Phil Campbell and Red Bay cafeterias. The proceeds from the sale will allow each Franklin County student to receive one free breakfast in the cafeteria during the month of December, with the remaining funds divided among each school's general fund.
