The Shadow
LOW MOOR, Va. (VR) — Alleghany Highlands Public Schools is celebrating National School Breakfast Week March 3-7. The celebration is designed to encourage families to take advantage of the healthy choices available to students with school breakfast.
The National School Breakfast Week theme, “Clue In,” reminds the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools community that healthy breakfast options are available at all schools to provide an energizing start to the day for students.
“Busy weekday mornings make it a challenge for many families to find time for a healthy breakfast. Alleghany Highlands Public Schools offer nutritious school breakfasts, complete with fruit and low-fat or fat-free milk, to ensure students are fueled for learning every school day,” said Debra Buckner, division cafeteria manager for AHPS.
U.S. Department of Agriculture data show that more and more students are starting their day with a nutritious breakfast in their school cafeterias. The School Breakfast Program serves more than 14 million students every day.
Studies show that students who eat school breakfast are more likely to:
— Reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math,
— Score higher on standardized tests,
— Have better concentration and memory,
— Be more alert, and
— Maintain a healthy weight.
“A healthy breakfast at the start of the day is a great way to ensure students are nourished and ready to learn,” said Buckner. “National School Breakfast Week helps us educate parents and students about all the nutritious and delicious choices we offer.”
All students enrolled in Alleghany Highlands Public Schools in the 2024-2025 school year can receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch free of charge under the federal Community Eligibility Provision. Households are not required to submit an application form for a student to receive meals at no charge.
National School Breakfast Week- National School Breakfast Week was launched in 1989 to raise awareness of the availability of the School Breakfast Program, a federally assisted meal program operating in public and non-profit private schools and residential childcare institutions since 1975.
AHPS was created through the July 2022 merger of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center. The school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington. AHPS serves approximately 2,700 students.
AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and the division website www.ahps.k12.va.us. School starts for students on Aug. 13 for the 2025-2026 school year.
The Alleghany Highlands Public Schools food services staff had fun the first week of March by promoting National School Breakfast Week and Read Across America Week. At Callaghan Elementary School, Amber Paxton (left) and Valerie Jack dressed as Dr. Seuss characters to help promote the importance of reading. Jack is the cafeteria manager at Callaghan. (AHPS Photo)
Natasha Barron of the Sharon Elementary School food services staff serves a tasty breakfast parfait to students. Alleghany Highlands Public Schools provides a nutritious breakfast to students each school day. (AHPS Photo)
