“We are able to get started with work quicker. Also, students used to have a lot of problems with others in the cafeteria and those problems would roll over to the classroom. Those issues are now avoided (especially between other grade levels). Another big plus is the ability to form relationships with my class because we can start the morning out with a discussion time.” – Teacher, Hope Elementary, Decatur
“97% of our students who attend school daily participate in Breakfast in the Classroom Program. Hope has one of the highest, if not the highest percentage, of free and reduce students in the district. Since moving breakfast from the Cafetorium to the classroom, my staff has noticed many positive outcomes that benefited the students, the classroom environment, and overall student well-being.” – Henry Walker, Principal, Hope Elementary, Decatur
“Before we had breakfast in the classroom, you’d have kids coming in each morning crying or putting their heads down because their stomach hurt. With breakfast here, they’re getting something they wouldn’t normally get.” – Suzette Ojermark, Teacher, Caroline City Elementary, Calumet City
“The breakfast program has a definite impact on the students’ ability to stay focused on learning throughout their morning. There are fewer queries about, “When is it time for lunch?” at 10:00am. It does help those students that aren’t “morning people” to have a better start to their day if they did not have the opportunity to eat at home.” – Teacher, School District 100, Berwyn
“Each classroom has two insulated bags. One is for milk and cold items and one is for hot items. These bags are delivered to the classrooms before the students are released. It depends on the teacher how the kids get their meals. Some will call the students up and then let them grab what they want or some just let them take it as they come in the door and sit down. Each class is given a roster that a teacher or child (more the 3rd and 4th graders) put a check by their names if they received a meal. We do an all or nothing system. They have to get a complete meal and not just an entrée or just milk. Most teachers do it first thing in the morning unless they have a special class like music or PE, then they do it after. At first it was an adjustment for the teachers and the students but now it’s just a daily routine. Once they are finished they place the insulated bags in the hallway and the janitors collect the trash. We have some schools that the janitors actually go in the room and some that double wrap the trash cans at night and just lift the trash from breakfast out and put in the hallway and then it is collected.” – Nanci Ganci, Principal, Memorial Elementary, Taylorvielle
“I feel the program is highly effective for our students. They are provided with the opportunity to eat a well-balanced breakfast which positively contributes to their attentiveness and performance in the classroom. They are able to work on academics and learn while eating their breakfast.” – Teacher, School District 100, Berwyn
“I am the Certified School Nurse for Irving School. One of the most positive effects the breakfast program has had on students is that it has almost eliminated children coming to the nurse’s office mid-morning complaining about headaches and stomach aches. Before the program’s implementation I saw many children who had not eaten since their evening meal the night before. They were therefore experiencing symptoms due to the long hours of no food or fluids for often over 16 hr. I would highly recommend the breakfast program help keep children in their classroom alert and attentive!” – Nurse, Irving Elementary, Berwyn
“So many of our children only get two meals a day. That is our breakfast and our lunch served at school. Many students partake in breakfast and are very grateful to have something to eat.” – Teacher, School District 100, Berwyn
“It gives me a chance every morning to connect with my students. I can check on those who need to touch base with me as to how their day will go, if they need any help with any subjects, and more importantly it helps me build relationships…the key to educating middle school students!” – Teacher, Hope Elementary, Decatur
“I would tell anyone considering transitioning away from the traditional cafeteria model to definitely do it.” – Principal, South Shores Elementary, Decatur