Catoosa County Public Schools was awarded a $60,000 grant from Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) and the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) to enhance USDA school breakfast programs throughout Catoosa County. To celebrate, the Atlanta Falcons placekicker Matt Bryant, along with the Atlanta Falcons franchise, FUTP60, USDA and SUDIA, will host a recognition assembly for teachers and students at Graysville Elementary School on Friday, starting at 7:15 a.m.
The event coincides with National School Breakfast Week (March 2-6) and the kickoff of FUTP60’s “Fuel Greatness” campaign, which aims to mobilize communities to advocate for and implement alternative breakfast options in school districts nationwide. Graysville Elementary School, the recent winner of a contest sponsored by the Catoosa County’s Child Nutrition Program to increase breakfast participation among schools, was selected to host the celebration.
The celebration will start with breakfast, followed by a check presentation ceremony at 8 a.m., as well as fun, interactive athletic activities led by Bryant and the official team mascot, ‘Freddie Falcon.’ Officials from the Atlanta Falcons, USDA, SUDIA and Catoosa County Public Schools will be available for interviews, as well as photo and video opportunities.
“USDA’s modern School Breakfast Program is easily tailored to meet the needs of all age groups, school schedules and physical environments,” said Robin Bailey, Jr., Southeast Regional administrator for the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. “We encourage schools to consider options such as grab and go kiosks or Breakfast in the Classroom that deliver more healthy breakfasts to hungry students when they need it most. Today’s award will make it easier for Catoosa County Public Schools to do that.”
Studies show that students who start each day with a healthy breakfast perform better in the classroom and have fewer absences and disciplinary problems. According to SUDIA Director of School Health and Wellness Molly Szymanski, however, 60 percent of U.S. students don’t eat breakfast, either by choice or lack of availability.
“With this grant, students and staff throughout Catoosa County schools will become more aware of the strong link between breakfast and high student achievement,” said Ms. Szymanski. “It is our hope this will lead to lifelong habits that will enable students to live longer and achieve more.”
FUTP60, the nation’s largest in-school wellness program, empowers students to live active and healthy lifestyles by playing or exercising for 60 minutes each day and fueling up with healthy foods such as low-fat and fat-free dairy. The National Football League (NFL) and the National Dairy Council (NDC) sponsor the program, in collaboration with the USDA.
For more information, contact Joel Hall at jhall@sedairy.org or 470 226-3005. Learn more about FUTP60 at www.southeastdairy.org/futp60.