Cascade Elementary, RSD honored for most improved

United Way celebrated June 8 for increasing number of students who eat breakfast before school.

Cascade Elementary School was the center of celebrations June 8 when United Way congratulated the school on being most improved this year during the Breakfast Challenge.

United Way of King County issued the challenge to schools across the county to get as many kids as possible to eat breakfast, a media release stated.

“Research shows that students who eat breakfast have better attendance, improved test scores and are overall more likely to do better in school,” the release stated.

County-wide this year, Cascade Elementary improved the most and to celebrate United Way threw an award assembly June 8.

Not only was Cascade Elementary the most improved school but the Renton School District also improved the most, Jenny Walden, senior program manager, financial stability for United Way, said.

Walden said since March when the challenge began, Cascade was able to reach nearly 300 more students.

Cascade implemented the district’s first ever Breakfast After the Bell program — where students eat their meal during the first 10-15 minutes of the school day.

Walden said each morning, students would go pick up coolers or heaters and bring the food to their classrooms so the students could eat breakfast while the teachers take attendance or allow the students quiet reading time.

Both the district and Cascade received grants from United Way, Walden said, for being the most improved district and participating school.

Walden said United Way is looking to work closely with the Renton School District to bring this program to more schools.

“Cascade and Renton School District are exceptional partners,” Walden said. “They recognize student needs and address it.”

For more information on United Way’s Breakfast Challenge, visit http://www.breakfastbrain.org/.

And for more information on the Breakfast After the Bell program, visit https://www.uwkc.org/news/school-breakfast-wins-big-hungry-kids/.