Students from various classes picked up the milk for the Milk Break. Josie Berntson (left) and Hunter Franklin picked up milk for their fellow first-graders in Connie Schlittenhardt’s class. Students selected from a choice of skim, 1 percent, and chocolate milk. (Sheila Anderson/VCTR) 

By Sheila Anderson
Valley City Times-Record

This year all Jefferson Elementary students had the chance to stop and take a milk break.
In the past, only kindergarten students participated in the milk break program. During the 2007-2008 school year, the program was extended to include all students in grades K-3.
According to Sue Milender, Nutrition Services director for Valley City Public Schools, the Milk Break program helps students remained focused throughout the school day and gives them the opportunity to learn about healthy nutrition choices.
“I’m amazed at how well it’s gone,” Milender said.
Milender said participation rates were at 85 percent during the first semester of the year, and increased to 88 percent for the second semester.
Milender said the program helps students who do not eat breakfast before coming to school. Milender said only one-third of children eat a solid, nutritious breakfast composed of three food groups before coming to school.
Milender cited statistics showing that only 19 percent of girls ages 9-19 nationwide meet the recommended calcium intake.
“We know that hungry children have a difficult time learning,” Milender said. “The bottom line is that nutrition impacts learning.”
Students were allowed to bring a snack to school for the Milk Break.
Jefferson Elementary School Principal Troy Miller said schools who  have offered this program to children for several years find children achieve higher academic levels because of the mid-morning snack.

For full story, see Wednesday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.