Students asked to ‘heart’ breakfast

National School Breakfast Week encourages students to ‘heart’ breakfast

Ohio Department of Education is promoting National School Breakfast Week, which is March 5-9.

Starting the school day with a nutritious breakfast is a healthy way to help students focus and concentrate on schoolwork because well-nourished students have well-nourished minds, the Ohio Department of Education says.

To encourage more families to take advantage of the healthy choices available to them, the Ohio Department of Education is promoting National School Breakfast Week, which is March 5-9, according to a news release.

“National School Breakfast Week provides an opportunity for schools to highlight the importance of starting each day with a nutritious meal,” Paolo DeMaria, superintendent of public instruction, said in the release. “For students who do not have the chance to eat at home before school, the breakfast program ensures they can be ready to learn and succeed in school. I appreciate the efforts this week to educate Ohio’s students and families about the importance of breakfast.”

The 2018 campaign theme is, “I Heart School Breakfast,” according to the release.

The department’s Office for Child Nutrition is working with school meal program sponsors to increase breakfast participation in Ohio schools, according to the release. Schools taking part in the school meal programs are encouraged to “Heart School Breakfast” this week with special menus, decorations, cafeteria events and more. Many Ohio schools participating in the free and reduced-priced meal program will be celebrating the week and holding events to promote the importance of breakfast, according to the release.

The education department organized a contest in February to promote National School Breakfast Week, encouraging students to create artwork using the theme “My Favorite Breakfast.” Winners were named from the following schools:

• General Johnnie Wilson Middle School, Lorain City School District

• Woodland Elementary, Lakota Local School District

• Minford Middle School, Minford Local School District

• Edison Elementary School, Edison Local School District

• Fairfield Local Middle School, Fairfield Local Schools

The winning ideas and posters were on display at the Child Nutrition Program Training and Vendor Show on March 5 in Lewis Center, according to the release.

Launched in 1989, National School Breakfast Week raises awareness of the availability of the School Breakfast Program to all children and promotes the links between eating a good breakfast, academic achievement and healthy lifestyles, according to the release.