On a chilly Thursday morning at Wilkerson Elementary School in El Monte over 100 people from around Los Angeles County and surrounding areas showed up to learn about Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC). Students from Wilkerson stood at the ready to take visitors to classrooms to observe the program in action. After everyone returned from seeing how Breakfast in the Classroom runs people had the opportunity to listen to speakers about the program and how to bring it to their schools and communities.
CFPA opened the event with a welcome to all. Two students emceed the event introducing Superintendent Maribel Garcia who talked about the district’s commitment to student health and Breakfast in the Classroom. Mayor Quintero, Mayor of El Monte spoke about the importance of health, nutrition and physical activity in the city of El Monte and the wonderful partnership between the city and the school district. The Mayor presented an Action for Healthy Kids Breakfast Champion award to Dr. Robert Lewis, Food Service Director of El Monte City Schools.
Dr. Robert Lewis continued the event with a “how to” in the planning and implementation of such a program. He also spoke about the benefits to student health, reduction in tardiness, absenteeism and nurse visits. The principal of Wilkerson, Juan Munoz then talked about all the benefits he has seen in student behavior and hunger related issues. Forth grade teacher Minerva Garcia spoke about the improvements she’s seen in her students’ behavior in the morning due to breakfast being served in the classroom. Awards were also given to some of the food services staff and parent volunteers who have been key in helping with the rollout and ongoing support of the program. And to bring it all together Sandip Kaur, Director of Nutrition Services at the State Department of Education spoke about the great work being done at El Monte City Schools and how the state supports and encourages school districts to innovate and think outside the box.
Sandip also announced the 2014 – 2015 Breakfast startup and expansion grants now available at:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/profile.asp?id=3514 Deadline for submission is March 24, 2014.
This was an event of epic proportion in the world of school breakfast. With over 100 people attending from about 15 different school districts we commend the City of El Monte and El Monte City Schools on their commitment to student health and wellbeing. CFPA looks forward to other school districts bringing the benefits of Breakfast in the Classroom to their schools and is available to provide assistance in making that happen.
For more information contact Nikki at Nicola@cfpa.net or 213-482-8200 ext. 204
