This National School Breakfast Week, No Kid Hungry Ohio is recognizing several districts across the state in how they ensure school breakfast serves the unique needs of their students! Check out our story with Massillon City Schools below.
In the bustling halls of Massillon City Schools, a dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure that every student starts their day with a nutritious meal. At the heart of this effort is Olivia Kendall, the Food Service Director, who brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role.
Massillon is not just a school district; it’s a vibrant community with a rich tradition, notably recognized for its football program. However, beyond the gridiron, Massillon faces challenges typical of many communities, including high-need areas where access to food assistance is critical to supporting families.
Massillon operates under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows the district to provide free meals to all students, ensuring that no child goes hungry during the school day. When it comes to their school meals programs, they take pride in their innovative approach to breakfast service. Across their five schools, including preschool, they’ve implemented various models to accommodate the diverse needs of their students.
At the junior high school, which covers grades 4-8, they utilize a Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) model, where students receive their meals as they enter the building, efficiently serving over 800 students in just 30 minutes before sending them to their classrooms to start their day. This streamlined process not only ensures that students start their day with a nutritious meal but also minimizes disruptions to instructional time.
The food service team works incredibly hard to serve a large number of students in a short amount of time while still offering different options including nutritional variety. This works to expose students to a diverse amount of foods and increase their choices when it comes to school meals.
Despite their success, they understand the challenges that other districts may face when considering similar breakfast programs. For those hesitant about implementing BIC, Olivia and her team would emphasize the logistical benefits and positive impact on student engagement. By reducing cafeteria cleanup and congestion, BIC allows staff to focus on providing quality meals and fostering a welcoming environment.
Moreover, engaging cafeteria staff is essential to the success of any breakfast program. Massillon Schools’ dedicated team plays a crucial role in educating students about meal options and guiding them through the serving process. Through their dedicated efforts and passion for their work, students learn about nutrition and make informed choices that support their overall well-being.