LYNN — City schools already have a head start on the state legislature’s push to strengthen the connection between learning and a healthy school day breakfast.
The Breakfast After the Bell bill’s passage last week won applause from Lynn legislators, with state Sen. Brendan Crighton stating that the legislation will “ensure that all students in Massachusetts are getting the nutrition they need to begin each school day feeling energized, prepared, and ready to learn.”
Massachusetts currently requires all high-poverty schools to provide breakfast to every eligible student.
Breakfast After the Bell would require all public schools with 60 percent or more students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the federal National School Lunch Program to offer breakfast after the instructional day begins.
“Providing students with breakfast after the instructional day at school begins will expand access to critical nutrition for thousands of children and ensure they are prepared for academic success,” said state Rep. Peter Capano.
Lynn received 2018 approval to ensure all students receive a free breakfast and lunch under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program, which is part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.
A survey conducted last year found a 5 percent increase across the district in the number of students who ate at school or about 453 meals more per day.
Breakfast After the Bell expands elementary school-level nutrition by making sure breakfast is served after the school day starts, to ensure kids who may have not been able to come to school early for breakfast get fed.
A state study cited by Crighton’s office found that the number of students across the state who eat breakfast at school before the school day starts is fairly low at less than 40 percent — compared to 80-90 percent participation for free and reduced lunch.
Moving breakfast from before the bell to after the bell is a proven strategy to boost breakfast participation to ensure that all students have the nutrition they need to start their day ready to learn.
“Nutrition is directly linked to the success of students,” said state Rep. Dan Cahill. “This legislation gives Lynn public schools an additional tool to make sure students are succeeding in the classroom.”
As a federally reimbursed program, Breakfast After the Bell has the potential to provide up to $30 million state-wide to Massachusetts school districts that increase participation rates to 80 percent and above.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
