Last month – over nine days of fall break – the department served 1,384 breakfasts and 2,504 lunches and 1,309 snacks to children at Baxter YMCA and students participating in intercession.
It’s important for us to provide nutritious meals to help children stay focused and energized even when not in class. We know that students who live in low-income households rely heavily on school meals as their main source of food every day, and that need doesn’t go away just because school is on break.
Food services has launched a new website to provide families with easier access to important resources. With a click of a mouse, visitors can take advantage of several important features:
• View video instructions for the free/reduced meal application.
• Prepay for lunch and breakfast.
• View menus for all grade levels.
• Sign up to receive menus via email.
• Explore nutrition and fitness tips.
• Download nutrition newsletter.
Because nutrition is so important, our food services department wants to encourage students to take advantage of after-school offerings. At Southport and Perry Meridian high schools and Perry Meridian Middle School. Because the program begins after buses depart, the meals are available to students who have their own transportation and stay at school after classes dismiss – even if they’re not there to participate in extracurricular activities or athletics. The meals must be eaten on-site.
At Perry Meridian High the meals are available from 2:15-2:45 p.m. everyday except Wednesday, when they are served from 1:40-2:10 p.m.
Southport students can grab a bite to eat from 2:05-2:35 p.m. every day except Wednesday, from 1:40-2:10 p.m.
Students at Perry Meridian Middle can enjoy meals from 2:55-3:10 Monday and from 2:40-2:55 p.m. Wednesday.
The department takes great pride in its offerings, which meet the USDA’s school regulations and comply with the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
According to numerous studies, children who eat a balanced breakfast every day perform better in class; they also learn better and behave better than their peers who do not have access to a proper breakfast.
More information is available at www.perryschools.org.