The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation’s Breakfast After the Bell program has proven successful for Quinton Township School and Paul W. Carleton School.
Quinton Township Elementary School received $5,000 to expand and enhance their breakfast program. Foundation funding was used to purchase a third breakfast cart as well as a laptop with software enhancing efficiency for students to purchase their breakfast items and move through the lines more quickly. In addition, the school won a Breakfast After the Bell Challenge for Southern New Jersey Region by having the highest percentage increase of students eating breakfast. As the first place winner, the school received a $5,000 grant and a special visit from a current player for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Paul W. Carleton School also received $5,000 to pilot their Breakfast After the Bell program for 4th and 5th grade students. Their goal was to increase participation by 25 percent and we are pleased to announce that participation increased over 55 percent. PW Carleton School’s increase in participation ranks them among the schools in the state with the highest participation rates. They hope to expand the program to other schools in the district.
“The success of these two programs is exactly what the Foundation hoped to achieve with this funding,” stated Brenda Goins, executive director. “The Foundation implemented this program understanding that breakfast is the most important meal of the day for students.” Growing bodies of evidence state that children who have a healthy breakfast do better in school. Concentration is higher, participation in class increases and behavioral issues, related to hunger, decrease. In addition, lower rates of absence and tardiness are also found.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brenda L. Goins
Executive Director
Salem Health & Wellness Foundation
856-299-4460