To promote nutrition and learning readiness, Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) will offer free breakfasts to all students from March 4 through March 8, marking the celebration of National School Breakfast Week (NSBW). This move aims to give students the necessary nourishment to kickstart their day positively.
Students arriving before classes begin throughout the week will have access to various breakfast options. The menu includes hot entrees, cereal, fruit, milk, and juice, all designed to cater to the student population's diverse tastes and dietary needs. Crystal Richardson, CCPS supervisor of food and nutrition services, highlighted the importance of a nutritious morning meal. "A healthy breakfast at the start of the day is a great way to ensure students are nourished and ready to learn," Richardson said. She further emphasized that NSBW provides an opportunity to inform parents and students about the nutritious and appealing breakfast choices available at schools.
Outside the observance of NSBW, CCPS maintains a nominal charge for breakfast, with prices set at $1.35 at the elementary level and $1.50 for middle and high school students. To facilitate ease of access and management, parents can monitor and add funds to their children's meal accounts via www.mypaymentsplus.com.
CCPS actively participates in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, which enables schools in certain areas to offer free meals to students based on family income criteria. Currently, twelve schools within the district benefit from the CEP program, ensuring that nutritional needs are met without financial burden on the families.
Additionally, several schools and centers within CCPS are beneficiaries of the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) program this academic year. The MMFA, administered by the Maryland State Department of Education, aims to provide free breakfast to students, supplementing the federal funds received through the USDA School Breakfast Program. This initiative underscores the commitment of both state and federal programs to enhancing the educational experience by addressing the nutritional well-being of students.
National School Breakfast Week not only highlights the variety of healthy breakfast options available to students but also reinforces the importance of starting the day with a meal that can support learning and academic performance. By offering free breakfasts during this week, CCPS endeavors to draw attention to the ongoing programs that support student nutrition throughout the school year, thereby fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and physically.
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