Hickory Elementary Added to State's Free Breakfast Program

HAGERSTOWN, MD (June 6, 2005) – The Maryland State Department of Education has selected Hickory Elementary School to participate in the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) classroom breakfast program. Hickory is one of 12 schools across the state that will be new to the program in the 2005-2006 school year. The program now includes 133 schools statewide, and 9 of those are in Washington County. In addition to Hickory, the other schools in the program are Bester Elementary, Cascade Elementary, Fountaindale Elementary, Hancock Elementary, Lincolnshire Elementary, Marshall Street School, Pangborn Elementary and Winter Street Elementary.

Schools participating in the state-funded MMFA program must have 40% or more of enrolled students approved for free or reduced-price meals in order to receive free breakfast for all students. WCPS schools in the MMFA program have averaged 75% participation, compared to 10% for the regular breakfast program. Research has shown that this innovative school improvement program has contributed to increased academic performance, and improved student behavior and well-being.