Burns Middle School has implemented the innovative “Second Chance Breakfast” program, providing new opportunities for students in grades 6-8 to enjoy a healthy breakfast before the school day begins.
The traditional breakfast continues to be served before school begins, but now there are two “Grab and Go” stations set up in the cafeteria serving lines, as well as portable serving carts at two hallway stations at the school.
Kids can “grab” a bag, which typically features a hot breakfast sandwich, fruit, milk or juice, and “go” – fueled up and ready for a day of learning!
Since the Second Chance Breakfast was introduced at the start of this school year, student participation in breakfast at BMS has grown from an average of 24 percent last year (about 198 students) to 78 percent this year (about 650 kids). Burns Middle School has an enrollment of about 829 students.
Teachers have shared numerous testimonials about the positive benefits they have seen, including increased attentiveness among participating students. Language arts teacher Sarah Murphy said she has seen a noticeable improvement in alertness and behavior among her students since the program was implemented. “The kids are more focused and ready to go when they come back from Second Chance Breakfast, and I see that benefit all the way until lunch,” Murphy said.
Teachers have also reported a significant decrease in the number of students asking to visit the school nurse with complaints of headaches and stomachaches, which have been alleviated with the availability of a good breakfast and proper nutrition.
BMS principal Dane Ferguson said the program has been a tremendous success. “Second Chance Breakfast is drastically impacting our students at Burns Middle School,” he said. “The number of students eating breakfast has tripled with more than 600 students eating breakfast daily. Think about that: Almost three-fourths of our students are getting breakfast every day! We are looking forward to seeing the continued positive impact this will have on all areas of our school with the primary focus on improving student performance. We are already gaining instructional time with our students being more attentive in their classrooms.”