This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Joe Courtney Comes To Dinner ... At Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School

School is the first in the state to offer students supper

It’s 3:30 p.m. and students in the cafeteria at New London’s Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School are abuzz with excitement because today, Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney (D-2nd District) is serving them dinner.

“You work with [President Barack] Obama?” they ask, wide-eyed. Yes, Courtney says as he signs their notebooks, he works with Obama. In fact, on Thursday, Courtney was visiting the school to see the result of that work.

In December, President Obama signed the Child Nutrition Act, which expanded a federal program that provides breakfast and lunch for students in economically disadvantaged school districts to all 50 states and also extended the program to include supper.

Find out what's happening in New Londonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bennie Dover is the first school in the state to offer an afterschool meal to students. Others will follow soon, though, with Bridgeport about to get the go-ahead from the State Department of Education which oversees the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded meal program.

Schools are eligible for the program if at least 50 percent of students receive free or reduced-price meals. In Connecticut, 32 cities and town meet that criteria—in New London, 80 percent of students receive free or discounted meals. “I knew it would be a program that would be good for our kids,” says Gail Sharry, food service manager for child nutrition programs in New London. “I think there’s a definite need. Participation has grown.”

Find out what's happening in New Londonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Schools can choose to receive food or, as is the case with Bennie Dover’s supper program, be reimbursed about $3 for each child served. Additionally, each meal must include a serving of milk, two servings of fruits and vegetables, one serving of grains, and one serving of protein to meet federal nutrition standards.  

 “This is a terrific way to extend the school day, to encourage hard work and not just hanging around, and to ensure that kids get healthy balanced meals,” says Courtney. “We’ve got a real challenge with unhealthy eating, childhood obesity, and hunger. This is a really smart way to address those problems. New London is showing great leadership.”  

Susan Boyle, an education consultant with Connecticut’s Department of Education says the credit for Bennie Dover’s program should go to Sharry. To qualify for the supper program, schools have to prove to the state that they are ready and able to implement it. Sharry, who first learned of the program in October, immediately signed up for training in December and started putting together a plan.

Bennie Dover teacher Ed Sweeney, who had been running the school’s year old afterschool snack program, was initially concerned about the logistics of serving a full meal. However, with help from teachers, kitchen staff, and an agreement to delay the bus schedule, he says, “it’s worked out really well.”

As many as 120 students at Bennie Dover have stayed for supper, says Sharry, and although participation varies with school activities there are always at least 35, and typically 75 to 100 students who take advantage of the opportunity. Eighth grader Andre Rice says the food is “excellent--very filling.”

Rice says he’s noticed an improvement in his grades since he’s been eating on a more regular schedule. Eighth-grader Keyosha Bell says eating supper at school gives her more time to prepare for the next day’s classes and means there’s more food at home for her younger brothers. Best of all, she says, “I don’t have to worry about cooking.”  

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?