South Euclid-Lyndhurst School District, in collaboration with Fuel Up to Play 60, has successfully established the breakfast in the classroom program for the 2011-12 school year. The program was successfully piloted at Adrian, Rowland and Sunview Elementary Schools during May of 2011, and is now fully implemented in all three of the District’s elementary buildings including Greenview Upper Elementary School where the program has been in place for several years.

Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program created by the National Dairy Council, the American Dairy Association Mideast and the NFL, in collaboration with the USDA, encourages school-wide changes that promote physical activity and proper nutrition, such as implementing a breakfast in the classroom program.

The District secured $18,000 in grants from the American Dairy Association to support the breakfast in the classroom program for the 2011-12 school year. The grants allowed for the purchase of additional mobile serving units and storage equipment for the elementary schools to facilitate the program. The elementary schools also purchased items and equipment that support and encourage physical activity for students to utilize during designated periods of the school day. With the support of the American Dairy Association Grant, the District hopes to increase student participation in the program each year.  

During the morning breakfast break, food service staff members offer breakfast selections to each K-6 classroom on mobile serving units. Participating students can purchase nutritious items such as low-fat and fat-free milk, cheese, yogurt, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Students may also bring their own breakfast to eat in the classroom. Although student participation in the breakfast program is encouraged, it is not required.

“We’re excited to be able to provide breakfast in the classroom to help our students’ performance at school,” said Superintendent Dr. William Zelei. “This opportunity with the American Dairy Association Mideast is another example of how the District works hard to secure additional funding to increase the wellness and academic achievement of our students.”