CLARKSVILLE — Clinton-Massie Local Schools joined school districts across the country in celebrating National School Breakfast Week March 6-10 by encouraging students to “Take the School Breakfast Challenge” and kick off their day with a nutritious school breakfast.
In an effort to increase student participation in the school breakfast and lunch programs, members of CM’s food service team worked behind the scenes to organize and host a week of breakfast theme days that encouraged students to take on the breakfast challenge.
Monday morning featured “Breakfast with ‘The Breakfast Club’” from K99.1 FM radio. “The Breakfast Club” made stops at each building for a meet and greet where they spent time with pajama-clad students taking selfies and sharing autographed photos.
Taste Test Tuesday allowed students to enjoy samples of the many different breakfast items available on the Massie menu.
On Wacky Waffle Wednesday students created their own breakfast by choosing from strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, granola, and cool whip to top off their whole grain waffles.
It was Dollar Day Thursday at the middle and high school where students could purchase breakfast for a $1.00. And, it was Breakfast with a Song at the elementary school when members of the high school choir and band were on hand to provide breakfast listening music.
Students eating breakfast on Falcon Friday at the middle and high school were eligible to win Falcon spirit items. And, it was Fire Fighter Friday at the elementary school where local fire fighters spent the morning eating with students.
According to Food Service Director Tracy Matthews, Massie’s cafeterias are self-sufficient, and the federal funding helps them from borrowing from the general funds.
“We highly encourage our students to eat breakfast every morning,” said Matthews. “Busy weekday mornings make it challenging for many families to carve out time for a balanced breakfast at home. That’s why we want students to know that they can choose from a variety of healthy breakfast options when they arrive at school.”
If students are approved for free or reduced lunches, they can also receive that benefit for breakfast.
While students and staff enjoyed the opportunity to take part in National School Breakfast Week, the more important opportunity was that of educating families about the breakfast options available at CMLS and how school breakfast provides a healthy, energizing start to the day for students.
Every school breakfast on the Massie Menu meets federal nutrition standards limiting fat, calories and sodium, and school nutrition professionals encourage students to choose from an assortment of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat or fat free milk.
Information for this article was provided by Diana Miller, who coordinates communications for several area schools.
