In this “People Behind the Policies” blog, a Principal talks about her experiences with implementing breakfast within her school and how it relates to our goal to end childhood hunger in Maryland by 2015.
“The Most Important Meal of the Day”
Hunger is thought to be a third-world problem, but the reality that 1 in 5 American children struggles with hunger qualifies it as an all-too-real problem here in the United States as well. At Patterson High School we see it every day. Roughly 80% of Patterson High School students receive free or reduced lunch, and many students are very hungry throughout the school day.
Patterson started taking on the hunger issue the way we should start every day–with breakfast. Even students whose families are not struggling to provide food arrive to school without having eaten. Studies show that students who eat breakfast at school perform and behave better than students who skip breakfast at home. Moreover, breakfast-eating students are less likely to be overweight, more likely to be present and on time, and it improves the learning environment. With all of these facts out on the table it was obvious to us that Patterson High School would be serving breakfast this year. Thanks to Share Our Strength, the First Class Breakfast program was initiated at Patterson.
Every morning Patterson students engage in 500 Conversations, a homeroom-style period where students discuss a daily topic in efforts to make them not only scholars, but well-rounded adults as well. The cafeteria staff, HealthCorps coordinator, and Lifeskills program work together to deliver the First Class Breakfast program’s nutritious meals to each and every Patterson student, free, during the 500 Conversations period. At first, students were hesitant to accept the milk and cereal or bagel and cream cheese with juice. They are now very eager to share the meal together. Students who previously ate nothing all day long now eagerly await the arrival of their in-class breakfast. The program has given students further incentive to attend the 500 Conversations period. Teachers believe that the program has improved performance, alertness and participation in class. With hunger out of the way, students can now concentrate on their studies. Patterson High School is devoted to go beyond teaching ABCs and 123s, to empower Baltimore’s teenagers to be healthy adults who move on to positive futures. The First Class Breakfast Program, along with Patterson’s new lunchroom salad bar, is setting the tone for a newly healthy school environment that leaves no kid hungry, and all kids successful.
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Move to Texas Jackie, pppplllllllllleeeeaaaaaasssssseeeeeee!
http://washingtonexaminer.com/maryland-virginia-at-top-of-nation-for-food-stamp-fraud/article/127436 http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/millions-commit-food-stamp-fraud-every-year Fifi. Paul Amerault.. I can back up my words. You can't.. You continue to act uneducated and ill informed on almost all subjects because you elect to listen to elected officials like omalley, viva la babs, both cardins, the MOB leaders who lie like hell. The internet can be your best friend or worst enemy. Go to our states websites and see the trash ...
Why in this state with all the democrats for many decades "helping the poor" are more than 11% on food stamps? The democrats have failed and have NOT helped the poor other than to keep them in the fields and feeding them wityh as little as they can get away with.
This isn't a local issue. It's a National issue.
http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2012/12/05/arizona-food-stamp-rolls-rise-continue-to-cling-to-near-record-highs/ No, it's run by Conservative Republicans.
Read this from an outfit whose task is to promote the use of food stamps.
"Generally, people who fall into one of these groups can get Food Stamps: U.S. citizens Many legal immigrants Citizen or legal permanent resident children of undocumented immigrants Low-income workers People who are homeless People living in battered women’s programs, community mental health programs, drug and alcohol treatment centers, and homeless shelters When applying for Food Stamps, it is important to understand your “Household Size.” A household is defined as one or more persons who live together and purchase and prepare meals together. The A household may describe a family or a group of roommates." "For most households in Maryland, information about assets (checking account, savings, and cash on hand) is no longer required when applying for Food Stamps. Certain households, such as those consisting of someone who has intentionally broken program rules in the past, may be asked to show that they have less than $2,000 in resources in order to qualify for Food Stamps. This amount does not include the value of your car or home or certain types of savings, such as retirement or college funds." AND there is NO INCOME limit to be cut off receiving food stamps. Only the size of the "family" or group of "roommates" is the determinate factor. http://www.mdhungersolutions.org/pdf/maryland_getting_foodstamps_guide_2012.pdf
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/18/food-stamp-cuts-military-bases-commissary_n_1607249.html
Do you not even know what your own fingers type Stevie? You blamed the republicans in Arizona. And the national problem is blamed here. You deny things until called on it then you say you didn't! Are you OK mentally Stevie?
In a short while you will then say something else to change the subject. For the reading impaired named Steve, here is the direct quote and link agian for your educational purposes. AM I ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FOOD STAMPS? "A household may describe a family or a group of roommates." http://www.mdhungersolutions.org/pdf/maryland_getting_foodstamps_guide_2012.pdf Well Stevie, does the pamphlet say that or not?
Actually, do you think that people take their food stamps, sell them and plow them into Roth IRAs? I bet they buy food. You were a better Lil Joe. Somebody with Latino roots would already know this.