Hello Idaho! It’s Miss Capital City, Megan Wilson!
We have all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, March 6-10th was National School Breakfast Week!
The federal school breakfast program is a crucial protective factor for youth. But, there are many barriers associated with traditional breakfast that keep participation low. For example, children may choose to play with friends before school, there is social stigma surrounding the program, or they may not get to school in time to eat. This is why I have been promoting alternative breakfast models in collaboration with Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom.
Breakfast in the Classroom allows ALL students to eat their morning meal right when they arrive to class. Teachers and administrators have witnessed behavioral problems decrease, academic outcomes progress, and an increased sense of community in the classroom.
I had the honor of writing a Governor’s Proclamation for Idaho School Breakfast Week which was read at Pierce Park Elementary School in Boise. Lieutenant Governor Little read the proclamation to students and attendees from the Idaho Education Association, Idaho State Department of Education, Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force, and Boise School District.
The best part of this event was seeing Lt. Governor Little sit in a Kindergarten chair to eat breakfast with the Kindergarteners and hearing a chocolate milk versus white milk discussion!
Follow this link to see the video I produced and hosted to promote alternative breakfast models!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52nKxa2B7cQ
Proclamation
WHEREAS school meals originated in 1946 to ensure the strength of our youth in protecting our nation against all enemies foreign and domestic; and
WHEREAS evidence proves that school breakfast can now defend Idaho youth against hunger, obesity, behavioral problems, poor academic performance, and poor diet quality; and
WHEREAS there are 25,000 Idaho farms with whom schools can foster collaboration in the actions of feeding Idaho’s children and supporting Idaho’s economy; and
WHEREAS new, innovative models of serving breakfast are improving participation in the meal, the sense of community in the classroom, educational outcomes, and the budgets of many Idaho schools; and
WHEREAS a movement such as “Idaho School Breakfast Week” promotes the notion that all Idaho children deserve the basic, human need of a nutritious morning meal; and
WHEREAS Idaho’s future potential—in all institutions—is only as strong as the potential we instill in our children today
-Miss Capital City Megan Wilson