Students throughout lllinois might still be able to skip classes, but they won't have an excuse for skipping breakfast anymore if a program co-sponsored by Rep. John Cavaletto (R-Salem) succeeds.
Cavaletto witnessed the early results of the legislation at an open house at Patoka School recently, where students took part in the Breakfast After the Bell pilot program.
The program allows students several options for having breakfast, including grabbing a bag of food when they're on the go, having food brought to their classroom, and eating in the hallway after first period. It is scheduled to begin throughout the state during the 2017-2018 school year, and is expected to garner $42 million in additional federal funding.
"I spent 38 years working in education as a teacher, coach and principal, and I know first hand the importance of having breakfast and its impact on learning," Cavaletto said. "Not only is there better academic achievement from students who eat breakfast, but the research shows that there is better cognitive performance and a decrease in behavioral problems.”
Cavaletto is the Republican spokesperson for the Elementary & Secondary Education: Licensing, Administration & Oversight Committee and the Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee. The Breakfast After the Bell program received backing from supporters such as the Illinois Parent-Teacher Association, the Central Illinois Foodbank, the YMCA and Catholic Charities.
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