Education Secretary to Visit Northwestern HS

August 15, 2012

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Office of Communications

301-952-6001

WHO:	U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Gov. Martin O'Malley (invited) Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery (invited) U.S. Department of Agriculture representative Northwestern High School principal Edgar Batenga Share Our Strength president Tom Nelson
WHAT:	Panel discussion, survey release -- "Hunger in Our Schools: Share Our Strength's Teachers Report 2012"
WHEN:	Thursday, Aug. 23, 9 a.m.
WHERE:	Northwestern High School, 7000 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville

BACKGROUND:

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Gov. Martin O’Malley (invited), Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery (invited), a U.S. Department of Agriculture representative and other special guests will visit Northwestern High School to participate in a discussion about hunger in the classroom.

The panelists will address efforts to increase participation in federal school nutrition programs, such as the National School Breakfast Program, and discuss findings from "Hunger in Our Schools," a study commissioned by nonprofit Share Our Strength on teachers’ observations.

“Hungry children do not come to school ready to learn. It is crucial that we make every effort to provide students with healthy, nutritious meals,” said Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., Chair of the Prince George's County Board of Education. “We are pleased that Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Gov. Martin O’Malley, State Superintendent Lillian Lowery and Share Our Strength are helping us to address this issue.”

PGCPS has moved to increase participation in the School Breakfast Program, which reaches more than 34,000 students, nearly 80 percent from low-income families. Participation rates are up 20 percent since last year. Earlier this year, two PGCPS schools won a Maryland State Department of Education contest for having the highest participation rate increases since March 2011; several other county schools rounded out the top 10.

The Breakfast in the Classroom program in particular has been successful in bringing healthy meals to more students. Eating breakfast in the classroom instead of the cafeteria helps teachers to ensure that students are ready to start the day. The program is in place at 45 elementary and middle schools and reaches one-third of PGCPS students.