Arkansas Department of Education Child Nutrition Unit Nancy

Arkansas Department of Education, Child Nutrition Unit Nancy Dill, RDN, LD March 2, 2017 Digital Learning National School Breakfast Week

National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) The tradition of celebrating NSBW began in 1989 and continues to be a yearly event. March 6 -10, 2017 has been designated NSBW. Theme for this year: “Take the Breakfast Challenge” and encourages students, staff, and administrators to increase their participation in the school breakfast program

Don’t Miss the Opportunity If there are conflicts with the designated week, SFAs can promote the program at any time!

In addition. . . � Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed March as Arkansas School Breakfast Month! � Governor Hutchinson’s proclamation increases public awareness, provides SFAs a wonderful opportunity to promote the breakfast program, benefiting thousands of students in Arkansas.

Why Participate? � Increase student participation for your program � Spread the message to parents that you're serving healthy and tasty breakfast at school � Earn media coverage from local papers, social media, and TV stations � Connect with teachers and administrators at your school or in your district to spread the word that school meals are healthy

OUTREACH TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES It is a requirement of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act 2010 that participating SFAs inform families of the availability of reimbursable breakfasts served under the school breakfast program established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Participation in NSBW is an excellent way to meet this requirement and promote your program!

Breakfast Makes a Difference Facts About School Breakfast Students who eat breakfast have better attention and memory. Source: The National Dairy Council Students who participate in school breakfast show improved attendance, behavior, standardized achievement test scores as well as decreased tardiness. Source: Food Research & Action Council Students who eat school breakfast, attend on average, 1. 5 more days of school per year and score 17. 5% higher on standardized math tests. Source: Share Our Strength

Consider Breakfast Options � Breakfast in the Classroom � Grab and Go Breakfast � Second Chance Breakfast Consider the needs of your schools and serving sites. These options may provide ways to increase participation and benefit the needs of your students

Get the Word Out… � Send flyers to parents to inform and invite them � Include in morning announcements (along with new and/or favorite menu items) � Post signage on school bulletin boards and marques � Utilize local radio stations and other media outlets � Display the event on your district’s website � Invite community leaders and officials

Make Each Day Unique � Focus on fruits or a particular fruit � Focus on whole grains � Focus on nutrients (Vitamin C, Calcium, etc. ) � Benefits of Milk � Carbohydrates and energy needs � Have a special “Try It” day and introduce something new.

Available Resources � National School Breakfast Week | https: //healthymeals. nal. usda. gov/featuresmonth/march/national-school-breakfastweek � Healthy Meals Resource System schoolnutrition. org/NSBW

Thank you