Breakfast now being served in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – Swampscott Public Schools are cooking up new plans to make sure students are provided with the food they need.”This year, we are expanding breakfast so it will be offered at all three elementary schools,” said Evan Katz, school business administrator. “Last year it was at Hadley Elementary School only. So now all Swampscott students can get breakfast at school.”In a letter to parents, Superintendent of schools Pamela R.H. Angelakis said “Swampscott Public Schools has expanded its breakfast program to serve all students this year, adding the Stanley and Clarke schools.”As of Wednesday, Sept. 2, the first day of school, breakfast will be offered at all five Swampscott schools,” she said.”The breakfast program, in some ways, is a more important meal as it’s the first one of the day,” said Katz. “We aren’t required to offer breakfast in all schools, but we do because it can make a big difference.”For $1.50 students will be given a homemade muffin or whole grain bagel, fresh fruit, reduced sugar cereal and milk.Students who are eligible to receive free or reduced price lunches through The National School Lunch Program, a federally funded program that helps children receive free or reduced price meals, are also eligible for free or reduced price breakfast.The cost of a reduced price breakfast will be 30 cents.”Last year we had 325 students approved for free lunches and breakfasts and 46 for reduced,” said Katz. “That is 16 percent of total students.”Various different criteria may offer eligibility to households, including already being certified to receive assistance program benefits, becoming unemployed at any time throughout the school year, and having an income below a specific amount for the household size.For example, a household size of two with a weekly income of less than $567 a week would be eligible.”Families are able to sign up for free or reduced meals at any time,” Katz said, “so if circumstances change during the year, students can be added to the program.”Families who receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) will automatically be approved to receive free breakfast and lunch.Each household is only required to submit one application for all children in the public school system. Application forms are available at the Swampscott Public Schools website and at all schools.”It’s been established that well-fed students learn better,” said Katz. “The Swampscott schools want to make sure that families know that students can get two healthy, inexpensive meals every school day.”Breakfast will be served at the elementary schools from 7:50 a.m. to 8:10 a.m., at the middle school from 7:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., and at the high school from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.