S C H O O L S
&
a recipe for academic
excellence SUCCESS IN OUR SCHOOLS STARTS WITH NUTRITION BY LEAH BERRY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
106
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
WINTER 2023-2024
C
hatham County Schools
E D U C A T I O N
Penny Hummer, 6, and Arriyah Lundquist, who turns 7 on Nov. 23, enjoy the most important meal of the day at Pittsboro Elementary School.
has renewed its focus on nutrition by implementing a new universal free breakfast program and hiring two certified school nutrition specialists. Director of Nutrition Services Jennifer Ozkurt, who participated in the SNS certification alongside School Nutrition Operations Coordinator Renee Langley, explains these steps are a continuation of Chatham County Schools’ Nutrition Services commitment to ensuring students are properly fed, can make healthy choices and have the necessary resources to be successful in the classroom. Research has shown that students in school districts with strong breakfast programs are more alert and have better learning outcomes, including improved