EUGENE - Lockers slamming, friends chatting, crowds snaking through the hallways - it's a typical scene, when the bell rings for the end of first period at Eugene High School.
Except, a cart topped with white sacks of nutritiously-balanced breakfast sits at the main intersection.
The Second Chance Breakfast began its second week Monday, serving an apple with warm breakfast pizza or a bowl of cereal with yogurt, both with a carton of milk. Or students could grab nutritionally-acceptable chips, Pop Tarts or other snacks from the á la carte rack.
Betsy Wansing, director of nutrition services, was smiling ear to ear when the day's breakfast
numbers exceeded not only the previous best, but also the number of white sacks, which had been prepared.
They served 80 breakfast meals, 39 at the second option.
"That's pretty awesome," Wansing said.
Only about 10 percent, or about 30, of students in grades 7-12 were eating the traditional, before school breakfast. After visiting with the students at a recent Nutrition Advisory Committee, three main reasons were identified.
For some, it's too early in the morning and others preferred to use the time before school for socializing. The greater concern was the stigma because students with free and reduced lunch more often eat the first meal of the day at school.
Research continues to endorse the importance of breakfast.
"Kids need a meal to start the day out," said Principal Jerry Braschler. "We hope this makes our kids more alert while they're here."
The Second Chance Breakfast started Oct. 27 with students coming through the cafeteria to grab their breakfast to go. Within a few days, staff improved on the concept by borrowing the rolling scorer's table and setting up a mobile unit to take the meals to the hallway.
"We're looking for creative ways to get kids to eat breakfast," Wansing said.
The program is not much of an extra burden on the staff, she said.
When planning meals, the food service keeps janitors in mind. But, so far, students have been responsible to take care of their trash, she said.
Principal Braschler said he was concerned, at first, about tardies, since students only have four minutes to change classes and swing by the breakfast cart.
That hasn't proved an issue, either.
Wansing said she is very pleased with the program's progress so far. Her goal would be for 100 of the about 300 students to be eating breakfast daily.
As students eate their sack breakfast during second-period classes, Wansing said she hopes they will influence their peers to do the same.
The Second Chance Breakfasts include one cup of fruit with every meal. That's new this year, Wansing said.
To comply with the regulations, students must take the entire meal, even though they may not eat it. Wansing and her staff pay attention to what the students will eat to serve that more frequently, she said.
"I have had no problem whatsoever with students bringing their breakfast to class with them," said science teacher Patty Smith.
"They haven't abused the time between classes and have been careful with the trash up to this point."