A student at Jackson Middle School enjoys breakfast at her desk through the First Class Breakfast program.

HISD has been serving healthy, nutritious breakfasts for free to all students every school morning since 2010, and many of them receive it right in the classroom through First Class Breakfast.

Now, even more secondary students are taking advantage of this option. First Class Breakfast was already in place at 40 middle and high schools, but Nutrition Services recently added two more schools to the program and continues to add schools weekly.

Offering breakfast to students in the classroom eliminates many of the obstacles that get in the way of students eating the first meal of the day. Kenya Davis, a student at Washington High School, noted that some of her classmates ride the bus and get to school just as the bell rings. “I love the idea of breakfast in the classroom,” she said. “It gives students who are on time for school — but late for breakfast — an opportunity to eat.”

Washington HS started serving breakfast in the classroom to its students last month. “We elected to use this program because we see the value of educating the whole child,” said Principal Carlos R. Phillips II. “When students have the proper nourishment at the beginning of the day, it enables them to think clearly on academics, rather than an empty stomach.”

“Providing nutritious meals to students is what we do,” added Odell Warren, Nutrition Services senior operations manager. “We will continue to advocate for our students to receive breakfast in the classroom, so that everyone starts their day off well-fed and ready to learn.”