Gov. Ned Lamont held a press conference in West Hartford on Monday morning to announce the state’s plan.
Charter Oak Principal Georgina Rivera speaks at a press conference at Charter Oak International Academy in West Hartford on Aug. 7, 2023. Courtesy photo
By Ronni Newton
Gov. Ned Lamont, Department of Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, and other officials and advocates held a press conference in the cafeteria at Charter Oak International Academy in West Hartford on Monday morning, announcing plans by the state to spend $16 million of federal funding on meals for thousands of Connecticut students.
The state will use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds so that free breakfast will be provided to all students in the federal School Breakfast Program (SBP). In addition, students who are eligible for reduced-price meals in non-CEP schools participating in the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) will be able to receive lunch at no cost.
“All West Hartford Public Schools students, regardless of status or ability to pay, will now receive free breakfast for the upcoming school year,” West Hartford Assistant Superintendent for Administration Andy Morrow told We-Ha.com. “Any student who was qualifying for a reduced lunch meal will now receive free lunch.”
According to Morrow, during the 2022-2023 school year, there were 1,836 students (21% of the population) who qualified for free lunch, while 451 students (5% of the population) qualified to receive lunch at a reduced price. The latter will now receive lunch at no cost, and all students in the district will be eligible for breakfast at no cost.
As reported by CTNewsJunkie.com, Charter Oak Principal Georgina Rivera said that just under half of the school’s students participated in the reduced-cost meal programs. She said hunger can be an impediment to a child’s ability to learn.
“Many times I come across students and sometimes if they’re not in a happy and relaxed state, I ask them ‘what do you need?’ and so many times the answer is ‘I’m hungry and I need food,’” Rivera said. “It is so helpful for me and all of our staff members to be able to say ‘I can come down to the cafeteria and get you something to eat and not have to worry about funding.’”
“This investment ensures that each student begins their day with a nourishing meal, fostering learning and growth,” Lamont said in a statement. “Additionally, removing the family portion of the cost of lunch for students eligible for reduced-price meals means more money in their pockets for other essential needs. By ensuring access to nutritious meals, we empower our students to excel academically and in all facets of life.”
“I commend Governor Lamont and our legislative leaders for placing priority on the continuation of free breakfast and school-lunch subsidies for Connecticut’s students,” Russell-Tucker said in a statement. “Student health status, including physical health and student achievement, are directly connected. The research clearly shows that eating a nutritious and well-balanced breakfast improves concentration, alertness, and comprehension; results in fewer mistakes; assists with faster completion of math problems; results in better performance on standardized tests; and improves speed and memory on cognitive tests.”
For more information about Monday’s press conference, visit CTNewsJunkie.com.
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Ya, this is Covid money. What a great use! Meanwhile the debt keeps increasing.