District Enrollment & Demographics (2010-11)
- Approximately 25,000 students enrolled
- 40 school sites, including 24 elementary schools
- Provision 2 used at all sites except for one high school
- 79 percent of enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced price meals
What and Where
On November 22, 2010 Rosecrans Elementary School launched a Classroom Breakfast program, followed by Bursch Elementary School on December 6, 2010 and Willard Elementary School on December 3, 2010.
As news of the successful Classroom Breakfast programs spread, additional Compton Unified School District (CUSD) campuses clamored to be included. The district now plans to roll out Classroom Breakfast in every elementary school by the end of the 2010-11 academic year.
Getting Started
Tracie Thomas, Student Nutrition Service Director for CUSD, is a dedicated advocate for the well-being of her students. Ms. Thomas previously attempted to implement Classroom Breakfast in CUSD schools, but faced a prohibitive lack of support district wide. Ms. Thomas’ recent collaboration with the BreakfastFirst Campaign has thankfully proven more successful.
Ms. Thomas and BreakfastFirst team member Nicola Edwards presented the Classroom Breakfast concept to groups of CUSD principals, teachers, cafeteria staff, and parents as well as to the Board of Education. Ms. Thomas and the BreakfastFirst team worked diligently to win the support of these important stakeholders. In the process, three CUSD schools were identified as being willing to pilot the Classroom Breakfast model. Associate Superintendent Deborah Willard’s support of Classroom Breakfast has been instrumental in expanding the program district wide.
Results
As show in the chart below, the Classroom Breakfast model has dramatically increased school breakfast participation.
In addition, school nurses are reporting a decrease in the number of student visits.
Teachers give the program a big thumbs up, commenting on a noticeable improvement in students’ ability to concentrate. Teachers also report being pleasantly surprised that students are so careful and neat during the breakfast service.
The dramatic increase in participation and resulting increase in revenue allowed CUSD to purchase customized Classroom Breakfast coolers, pictured below.
Best Practices
- Before the school day begins, the student Sherriff and Assistant Sherriff from each classroom come to the cafeteria to pick up their Classroom Breakfast coolers.
- The coolers for each classroom are clearly labeled with the teacher’s name and classroom number. One cooler for each classroom contains a class roster for the teacher to use in checking off which students are served breakfast.
- At each classroom, students line up to take their meal out of the coolers. Alternatively, classroom Sheriffs pass out the meals along with a placemat and a wet wipe for clean up. While teachers begin the day’s lessons, students take about 15 minutes to eat breakfast.
- After eating, each student discards their trash in the bin provided specifically for Classroom Breakfast. The bin is left outside of the classroom door for the custodial staff to pick up.
- Cafeteria staff developed a daily check list to ensure that all necessary items are included in each classroom’s coolers, including food items, wet wipes, trash bags, placemats, etc.
- The cafeteria staff arranged for parents to “adopt” each kindergarten classroom and assist students with transporting the Classroom Breakfast coolers.
Kudos to CUSD for putting students and breakfast first!
