Why Breakfast is Important
Breakfast is a great way to refuel the body with energy to start the day. Individuals who eat breakfast are more likely to make healthier food decisions throughout the day and participate in physical activity- two great ways to maintain a healthy weight. Skipping breakfast can leave children feeling restless and irritable. In the morning, children need food to refuel the body after not eating for hours while they sleep. It is proven that children who participate in school breakfast are more likely to consume diets that are adequate or exceed standards for important vitamin and minerals than those who do not eat school breakfast or who have breakfast at home. Ross Local Schools provides breakfast foods high in whole grains, fiber, and protein while limiting added sugar. This can improve kid's attention span, concentration, and memory. In addition, school breakfast may boost student academic performance and behavior in the classroom, as well as improve health and reduce hunger among children who have limited or uncertain access to food at home.
National School Breakfast Program
Busy weekday mornings make it a challenge for families to find time for a healthy breakfast. However, the National School Breakfast Program, a federally funded program, makes it possible for school children in the U.S. to receive a nutritious breakfast every school day. Ross Local Schools serves breakfast daily through the federally funded School Breakfast Program. School food service personnel prepare breakfast every day that meet federal nutrition standards - limiting fat, calories, and sodium- and encourage students to choose from fruit and whole grains offered at breakfast.
Requirements:
Ross Local Schools cafeterias operate under the National School Breakfast Program. For the schools to get reimbursement from the government, they must follow specific guidelines.
- Minimum of 5 cups of fruit offered per week
- Minimum of 5 cups of milk offered per week
- Minimum of 7-10 ounces of grains offered per week depending on grade level
- 7-10 ounces for grades K-5
- 8-10 ounces for grades 6-8
- 9-10 ounces for grades 9-12
- Calories ranging from 350-600 daily based on grade level
- 350-500 for grades K-5
- 400-550 for grades 6-8
- 450-600 for grades 9-12
- Maximum of 540-640 mg of sodium per day based on grade level
- Less than or equal to 540 mg for grades K-5
- Less than or equal to 600 mg for grades 6-8
- Less than or equal to 640 mg for grades 9-12
- Minimum of 10% saturated fat per day
- Zero grams of trans fat daily
National Breakfast Week
National School Breakfast Week was launched in 1989 to ensure the awareness of availability for the healthy and tasty breakfast options available to students at the school, as well as the numerous health benefits of a school breakfast. National Breakfast Week is held in March each year. For our elementary schools, a fun and exciting menu is made to encourage participation, along with daily prizes and other special events.
Middle School and High School
The Middle School and High School offers not only a hot breakfast item every day, but also a Grab-and-Go selection for breakfast. This includes whole grain Pop tarts, cereal, granola bars, muffins, bread, and more. Milk is also offered daily.
Breakfast is offered daily at the Middle School from 7:45am to 8:15am and at the High School from 6:45am to 7:15am.
Prices are $1.75 for Full Pay, .30 cents for Reduced and Free for those who qualify.
A Hot Chocolate or Coffee may be included with a breakfast meal when obtained at the Mocha Cafe in the High School Cafeteria.
Elda and Morgan Elementary offer a hot breakfast each morning for the students. Each day includes a grain option (students can choose between the entree offered or cereal), a fruit, and milk.
- Time: 8:50 - 9:20
- $1.75 for Full Pay, .30 cents for Reduced and Free for those who qualify.