The Morning Max Program
'Breakfast in the Classroom' |
April 15th, 2011
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Healthy school meals are an important part of educating the whole child. On January 26, 2011, the CPS Board adopted a policy to implement Morning Max: Breakfast in the Classroom in all Chicago Public Elementary Schools. This policy fosters breakfast participation, encourages students to embrace a morning routine that includes breakfast and creates a healthy start to each school day.
The Morning Max program currently operates in more than 200 CPS elementary schools. Principals and teachers in these schools have reported that they have observed beneficial effects on student behavior, attendance and tardiness. Research has shown that school breakfast programs have led to higher grades and test scores.
Students are offered a choice of a hot or cold breakfast that fits the age appropriate guidelines established by the USDA, with different menu options daily. White milk (low-fat or fat-free) is offered every day. Students will eat breakfast during the first tel) minutes of the school day. Teachers view this time as an investment in the rest of the day-helping to ensure their students are focused and ready to learn. During this time, teachers take attendance, make classroom announcements and begin instruction around relevant topics such as nutrition, health, energy and science.
We anticipate that the Morning Max breakfast program will result in an overall reduction of nonbiodegradable waste entering the waste stream. The breakfast bags are made with recycled paper, are biodegradable and Morning Max eliminates the use of Styrofoam serving trays. After the students have finished eating breakfast, all breakfast-related items will be removed from the classroom.
While every student will have the opportunity to eat a school breakfast at no charge, participation in the breakfast program is strictly optional. Like the school lunch program, Morning Max will accommodate students with food allergies classified as a disability. These are food allergies that cause an anaphylactic reaction and are considered to be life-threatening. For students with 504 plans, we will provide a menu that meets the needs outlined by the physician in the plan.
Morning Max started on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at South Loop School. Please assist us to get the program off to a great start by making sure your children arrive at school on time and ready to start their learning day by eating breakfast with their classmates.
Sincerely,
Principal Shelton
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