SE school will deliver breakfast

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- In an effort to get more students to eat breakfast, Sleepy Eye Public School plans to deliver breakfast meals to students in grades four through six this fall.

The board discussed the school's subsidized FAST Breakfast Program Thursday night and learned that only 17 percent of grade school students participate in the program this year.

"We understand that some students may eat a big breakfast at home but we want as many students as possible to eat breakfast to get their day started the right way," Sleepy Eye Superintendent Jay Haugen said.

Studies have shown that student achievement is better if students eat a good breakfast, Sleepy Eye Elementary Principal Arla Dokter said.

Free breakfasts will continue to be available for elementary students this fall. Low-cost breakfasts will be offered to high school students.

The board also:

* Approved funding to students competing in the National HOSA trip for medical careers. The school will cover $120 of the $600 trip for each student. Students raised money to help pay the rest of the cost.

* Discussed bringing back priority programs as state legislative funding allows--elementary physical education and music, ESL, transitional math and refresher reading courses.

"We hope to bring all or some of these programs back," Haugen said. "Other programs high on the list are elementary art, keyboarding and paraprofessionals."