Southside Elementary School students absolutely love French toast sticks — or cinnamon sticks, or sticks, or toast. 

They love pancakes and, of course, cereal — especially the chocolate kind. 

Most importantly, just being in the line for breakfast seemed to give the vast majority an extra pep in their step. 

Last week was National School Breakfast Week and many schools in Powell participated. I had the pleasure to serve the wonderful students of Southside breakfast one day last week and it was wonderful to see how eager and respectful these kids were to get their hands on a balanced breakfast, one that included not just the main entree, but milk and a variety of fruit options. 

Breakfast is a vitally important start to the day for growing minds, so it’s great to see the work that goes into ensuring that, in Powell, students have the opportunity for a full breakfast. 

It’s exciting to see how many took advantage of the day’s opening meal at Southside. On Thursday at Southside, nearly 140 students cycled through the cafeteria and by the end, my clumsy work with the tongs to hand over toast sticks had morphed into a decent slide to pick up three sticks at once and plop them onto the tray. My only regret is the sticks were all snatched up before I could try one. 

You see, breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day, and when one Southsider told me he’d take French toast because he had pancakes last night for dinner I just grinned, because I love breakfast for dinner (or lunch — when I get a chance to run home for lunch during the week a few fried eggs from our hens and toast is my go-to).

It’s more than just an easy start to the day — breakfast is important, as the School Nutrition Association knows well.

“National School Breakfast Week celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success,” the association declares. “This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the national School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day.”

Breakfast is really a great start for everyone. According to WebMD, “breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, helping you burn calories throughout the day. It also gives you the energy you need to get things done and helps you focus at work or at school.”

So follow the lead of those hungry Southsiders and grab some breakfast.