Local Success Stories
High School Students Eating Breakfast at School and Drinking More Milk!
Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association sponsored a School Breakfast promotion among the District of Columbia Public High Schools during the spring of 2006. The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is to be recognized for providing free breakfast for all students. However, participation has been very low in the high schools.
Many of the district’s teens were not taking advantage of the opportunity to start their day with a healthy and free school breakfast. Studies show that students who eat breakfast perform better on tests, have less absenteeism and tardiness, and are generally more alert and attentive than kids who don't eat breakfast. With school breakfast as a key milk consumption occasion, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association was anxious to assist.
During the promotion period, spring athletic teams and coaches were encouraged to hold “team meetings” or “spirit gatherings” over breakfast on game days. For doing so, they were awarded “Got Milk? Got Game!” athletic gear. All students who ate breakfast at school and chose milk were also entered into a daily drawing to receive a “Modell’s Sporting Goods” gift card.
According to Mark Truax, DCPS food service director, breakfast participation increased district-wide throughout the promotion.