The New York State Education Department (SED) requires school districts to conduct an annual survey of parents of elementary school children to determine interest in a breakfast program in their schools. School districts are not required to offer breakfast if 80 percent or more of parents indicate their children would not participate in such a program.
In the Niskayuna Central School District, five schools including Birchwood Elementary, Craig Elementary, Rosendale Elementary, Iroquois Middle School and Van Antwerp Middle School have requested waivers for the state-mandated breakfast program for children in grades K-6 because response to the survey was greater than 80 percent.
Just under 80 percent of parents surveyed – 72 percent from Glencliff Elementary and 78 percent from Hillside Elementary – responded that their children would not participate in a breakfast program. As such, the school district will be required to offer breakfast at both schools during the 2006-07 school year.
Please direct comments or questions to Assistant Superintendent for Business Matt Bourgeois, 1239 Van Antwerp Road, Niskayuna, or by calling 377-4666, ext. 212.

(May 2006)