KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Jan. 7, 2013) – Kingsport City Schools has launched a new pilot program called Universal Breakfast where all students, regardless of eligibility, received a free breakfast to help prepare them for classroom learning.
The pilot program was introduced to John F. Kennedy Elementary, Abraham Lincoln Elementary and John Sevier Middle School this morning.
A number of research studies have found that it is important to, "Eat your breakfast!" According to research found in a 2011 East Tennessee State University doctoral dissertation, fourth grade math and reading/language arts TCAP scores improved with universal breakfast programming. In addition, Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine says students who ate breakfast regularly received nearly a letter grade higher in math when compared to peers who typically did not participate in the program.
"As we have all been told, breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. A healthy breakfast will give our bodies the nutrients necessary to fuel our daily activities. We want our KCS students best prepared for the classroom and learning," said Jennifer Burleson, director of school nutrition services, Kingsport City Schools. "This pilot program will provide free breakfast to any child at those locations. Student breakfast consumption has been directly linked with improved test scores, and has also been correlated with improving tardiness, attendance and behavior issues."
The Journal of American Dietetic Association reports that a high proportion of students who skipped breakfast suffered with cognitive problems as compared with students who ate breakfast.
The trial run is for 60 days, then will be evaluated and measured accordingly, based upon monitored clinic visits, tardiness and behavior referrals.
Kingsport City Schools is a public school system located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and an alternative school; with total enrollment reaching 6,500 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to be, Student Focused … World Class.
For more information on Kingsport City Schools (KCS), visit k12k.com, listen live on, WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, watch KCS Today on Charter Channel 16 at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. or call (423) 378.2100. We're social too; follow us on Facebook, Kingsport City Schools and on Twitter, @KptSchools.
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The pilot program was introduced to John F. Kennedy Elementary, Abraham Lincoln Elementary and John Sevier Middle School this morning.
A number of research studies have found that it is important to, "Eat your breakfast!" According to research found in a 2011 East Tennessee State University doctoral dissertation, fourth grade math and reading/language arts TCAP scores improved with universal breakfast programming. In addition, Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine says students who ate breakfast regularly received nearly a letter grade higher in math when compared to peers who typically did not participate in the program.
"As we have all been told, breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. A healthy breakfast will give our bodies the nutrients necessary to fuel our daily activities. We want our KCS students best prepared for the classroom and learning," said Jennifer Burleson, director of school nutrition services, Kingsport City Schools. "This pilot program will provide free breakfast to any child at those locations. Student breakfast consumption has been directly linked with improved test scores, and has also been correlated with improving tardiness, attendance and behavior issues."
The Journal of American Dietetic Association reports that a high proportion of students who skipped breakfast suffered with cognitive problems as compared with students who ate breakfast.
The trial run is for 60 days, then will be evaluated and measured accordingly, based upon monitored clinic visits, tardiness and behavior referrals.
Kingsport City Schools is a public school system located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and an alternative school; with total enrollment reaching 6,500 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to be, Student Focused … World Class.
For more information on Kingsport City Schools (KCS), visit k12k.com, listen live on, WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, watch KCS Today on Charter Channel 16 at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. or call (423) 378.2100. We're social too; follow us on Facebook, Kingsport City Schools and on Twitter, @KptSchools.
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