The Most Important Idea Of The Day

As more families go without, kids at school are going hungry.  This may be a soft spot of mine because I was one of those kids growing up.  We always had food, but it may not have been what we liked and it may not have been enough.  I know how it is to sit and try to focus with a growling belly.  Not the "I need a snack" grumble but the "I haven't had enough in several days" hunger.  The reality is it's hard to get kids to want to learn, and this can make the difference in keeping their attention.  Even then I was a mini-geek, and despite my love of knowledge it was all I could do to tune in sometimes.

Nearly a year ago, the Springfield Public Schools' nutrition services department piloted a breakfast-in-the-classroom program at Williams.

"We had high hopes for this program and were literally blown away with the results," said Wanita Watts, director of nutrition services. "...Once you do breakfast in the classroom, they feel that's their family and it's a closer, quieter environment."

At Williams, the number of students eating breakfast immediately skyrocketed, jumping from 45 to nearly 90 percent.

Webb said offering a healthy breakfast to every child is also paying off with better attendance and discipline, more quality instructional time and fewer trips to the school nurse. Plus, it frees up the multipurpose room -- typically a combined gymnasium and cafeteria -- for physical education classes and other activities.

This is a win-win for all involved. Kids get at least one nutritious meal per day. Bonding means more respect among students as well as teachers. Kids who need that meal aren't forced to stand in line and feel like a beggar. They aren't rushed, and they get a chance to ease into their day. There is no downside here, or if there is I fail to see it.

Good call, guys. Keep up the good work.