Administration and Teachers
Educators Fueling Student’s for Learning
Hunger in the classroom is very real problem for children. Research shows that hungry children do not perform as well academically, are more likely to have behavioral and attention problems, and more likely to be absent and tardy from school. Your commitment and effort in providing access for students to eat breakfast every morning will help them be better prepared to learn in school.
A Message from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Making Breakfast Available
Utah’s new breakfast legislation requires all schools to have an operating breakfast program for students who want or need a meal. Read more below to discover the different breakfast service style options to best fit your students and staff’s needs while making breakfast a part of your school’s instructional day.
Breakfast in the Classroom
Breakfast is offered to students in the classroom after the start of the instructional day. Students have an opportunity to eat breakfast with their classmates while teachers begin morning activities.
Grab “N” Go
Students grab conveniently packaged meals from mobile service carts in designated high traffic areas. Students can eat in their classroom or in a common area before and after the bell has rung.
Second Chance
In addition to a traditional breakfast service, breakfast is offered between classes or the first recess of the day. Students are offered a meal via Grab n’ Go or in the cafeteria to eat during break or in class.
Tools for Educators
School Administration’s Role in School Breakfast
School Administration is essential in leading the fight against hunger in schools and meeting their student’s needs. By coordinating with teachers, staff, food service, and custodians to make breakfast a regular part of the school day, students are closer to being fueled for success.
Breakfast Benefits
Schools have improved test scores, reduced behavioral issues, and calmer classrooms when students have access to breakfast.
Alternative breakfast models can increase participation and revenue. These additional funds can be used to offset other school nutrition program costs.
As the leader of your school, inclusion in planning with teachers, school nutrition staff, parents, and custodians can overcome resistance and reservations when starting a school breakfast program.
Classroom schedules do not need to change to accommodate time for breakfast. Alternative breakfast service styles can all be counted toward instruction time at the start of the day.
Resources for Administration
Financial Management of School Breakfast (Excel):
Utilize this worksheet to determine your revenue and cost determination of a breakfast program at your school.
Pre-Implementation Checklist (PDF):
Preparing for a new school breakfast program or service style requires a lot of coordination with staff. Use this checklist to ensure all aspects of the program are being addressed.
School Breakfast Press Release Announcement (Word):
The USDA School Breakfast Program requires for the community, parents, and students to be informed your school offers a breakfast. Utilize this template to inform of the big changes coming to your school.
Teacher’s Role in School Breakfast
Teachers are at the forefront of hunger during the school day. They play a vital role in implementing successful alternative breakfast styles to ensure students are fed. Having a school breakfast program allows teachers to ensure their students are ready to learn with their stomachs full.
Breakfast Benefits
Alternative breakfast models with breakfast after the bell count toward instructional time. Teachers can start their day with homework review, reading time, and attendance while students eat a balanced breakfast.
With a breakfast program that has been well-planned and developed; clean up, extra time, and accidental spills are minimal and do not effect learning time.
School breakfasts provide a balance of whole grains, fruit, and milk. Students will be getting the nutrients they need to eat a healthy balanced diet.
Resources for Teachers
Alternative Breakfast Roll Out Timeline (PDF):
Utilize this resource to plan ahead for a breakfast program starting at your school and possibly in your classroom.
Classroom Set Up and Clean Up (PDF):
Read this resource for the many considerations and ideas when preparing your classroom for breakfast after the bell service models.
Breakfast Classroom Activities Per Grade (PDF):
As students fuel their bodies with breakfast, they can also fuel their brains. This resource will give you learning activities while students eat and start the day.
Administration and Teacher’s Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do we add an alternative breakfast program after the bell and avoid extending the school day to meet instructional time requirements?
A: Utah State Board of Education rule R277-419-5 on Pupil Accounting only requires that an LEA conduct at least 990 hours of educational services over a minimum of 180 school days each school year. Activities such as alternative breakfast models and recess can be counted toward this 990-hour requirement.
Q: Will Breakfast in the Classroom require a lot from our teachers and take away from their mornings?
A: Breakfast in the Classroom on average takes 15-20 minutes. Most teachers take roll, collect assignments, and get the classroom in order during this time, so breakfast does not interfere. Students who choose not to participate in eating breakfast may participate in quiet independent academic activities.
Q: How long after the school day begins must breakfast be available?
A: Students must have a reasonable amount of time to receive a breakfast and consume the meal without penalty (e.g., tardy, punishment).
Q: If required to do breakfast after the bell, is it acceptable to keep a traditional breakfast service going ten minutes after school starts to meet the requirement?
A: The purpose of an alternative breakfast model is to offer all students the opportunity to eat after the beginning of the school day. If a traditional breakfast program is extended after the bell, then it should be integrated into a part of the instructional day and must allow children a reasonable amount of time to pick up a breakfast and consume it without penalty.
Q: What if our school has students starting class at two separate times in the morning? How would implementation of breakfast after the bell operate if not all kids are present?
A: Breakfast in the classroom starts when the school day starts. Regardless of separate start times, breakfast in the classroom would allow these flexibilities and reduce interruptions. Second chance breakfast is another great option to offer a breakfast meal during their first morning recess after all students have arrived.
Q: How do we ensure classrooms stay clean and help students take responsibility for any messes?
A: With a structured routine between students, teachers, janitorial staff, and food service staff, the amount of spills can be reduced. Planning a menu with less sticky items and limiting extra condiments may also help with easier cleanup.
Q: Does serving an alternative breakfast cost more than traditional service?
A: Possibly, but alternative models also make financial sense. The School Breakfast Program is a federal program, and the meals are reimbursed by the federal government. Local school district directors have seen a small increase in cost for packaging and labor. In turn, schools with breakfast in the classroom double their breakfast participation, which more than covers the added cost.
Q: How do we attract adequate student participation to make the program financially feasible?
A: Inclusion in the planning process for your breakfast program with staff, students, and parents, along with a well- planned menu will all promote and contribute to greater participation and program success.
Q: How much will an alternative breakfast program cost? How can we budget for these new costs?
A: Developing a budget is an important aspect to any breakfast program and costs will vary from school to school depending on a variety of factors. Utilize the resources above, including the budget tool to determine program cost, revenue, and other considerations.
Q: Why offer an alternative breakfast style instead of a traditional breakfast?
A: Alternative breakfast models are more convenient to students and families, lead to greater student participation and meal reimbursement, help students and teachers begin the day in a positive environment, and help to eliminate the social stigma of eating breakfast in the cafeteria before school.
Q: What if students take a breakfast against parent’s consent or lack funds to purchase a breakfast from the school?
A: Contact your district/school for it’s local policies and procedures, including the unpaid meal charge policy. Discuss with school leadership for a solution. Some strategies for preventing or reducing unwanted charges or school meal debt include offering breakfast at no charge to all students (Universal Free Breakfast) when it is financially viable.