We have all heard that students learn better when they’ve eaten a healthy breakfast. The Minnesota School Breakfast Initiative thinks so too.

The School Breakfast Initiative announced five Austin schools were included in 120 Minnesota schools selected to participate in the 2014-15 School Breakfast Challenge.

Banfield Elementary, Ellis Middle School, Neveln Elementary, Southgate Elementary, and Woodson Kindergarden Center are set to receive $2,500 each to go toward their breakfast programs.

“The money will be used as incentives for students to participate,” said Mary Weikum, director of food and nutrition. She said she is excited for the challenge, which is set to start next school year. “It will probably be used differently at all the sites.”

Some of the changes they may look into include moving breakfast into the classroom or changing the time-frame that breakfast is offered, such as starting it earlier or ending it later. Weikum says many of the students are drawn to the playground in the morning and would rather skip breakfast to continue playing before school. She said they may also look at ways to make breakfast more fun.

Weikum plans to meet with each school principal sometime in the spring to discuss what each site plans to do with the money. There are also new breakfast regulations set to start the 2014-15 school year, such as the requirement for more fruits and vegetables to be offered to students.

Weikum said she knows a lot of students don’t always get breakfast in the morning, even her own children. If it means less stress or if it can take the pressure off parents in the morning, it is worth offering breakfast at school.

“I think it’s great,” Weikum said. “Anytime we can get extra funds to help any of our programs, I think it’s great.”

Ellis Principal Jason Senne is also excited to look for new ways to encourage kids to eat breakfast. Ellis has about 350 students who are eligible for free or reduced meals, but only about 80-100 of those students participate in their breakfast.

“We’ll be taking a look at other programs and how they encouraged kids to come in, and our own committee will come up with ideas as well,” Senne said. “There are needs out there and it’s just trying to figure out how to inform the [students] of the benefits of a healthy breakfast.”