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Last modified: Thursday, July 19, 2007 9:56 AM CDT
Breakfast Coming To Nokomis HS
by Steve McLaughlin
“Nokomis was one of four school districts in the nation to receive a national grant given by the 'got breakfast?' Foundation on July 16 in Chicago,” said Superintendent Jean Chrostoski who traveled to Chicago on Monday to accept the award.
Presented at the School Nutrition Association’s annual national conference, the grants were given to three schools in Illinois and one in Massachusetts.
One factor that led to Illinois being chosen is that it ranks as the second lowest state in school breakfast and lunch program participation among low-income students.
The award is intended to encourage schools to initiate breakfast programs, which have been shown to help kids achieve higher test scores, improve memory skills and reduce childhood obesity.
Plus, federal reimbursement is available to schools for each meal served, so when schools increase the number of students eating breakfast, they receive a corresponding increase in funds.
Chrostoski said the breakfast program will be initiated at the junior/senior high school.
Part of the $9,000 grant received will be used to upgrade dishwashing and refrigeration equipment at that facility.
At the Tuesday evening meeting, Nokomis School Board was also informed that there are two children with diabetic conditions who are enrolled in the pre-k program in the fall. Following discussion, the decision was made to post a position for a health care aide who will be assigned to the classroom to observe and attend to the needs of the two children.
A job description will be developed and training will be provided for the aide, the classroom teacher, playground supervisors, administrators and any other employees who might come into contact with the children during the school day.
Monthly bills of $497,350 were approved leaving a June ending balance of $1,578,000.
Due to this year's delay in distribution of property tax revenues, Chrostoski said that it may be necessary to borrow as much as $750,000 on a short-term basis to cover operating expenses. She indicated that she will be working with local and regional lenders to obtain the best rates.
Although it was discussed, the board did not formulate any plan to reinstate the choir program for the upcoming school year.
Following a closed session, the board reconvened to announce the hiring of two new teachers: Benjamin Tomell, German instructor, and Patricia Reitz, high school English teacher.
In addition, they approved the posting of a two-hour breakfast cook position at the high school.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 21, at 7:30 p.m. As usual, it is an open meeting and the public is invited to attend.
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