District Expands After-School Snack Program

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The Cherokee County School District is expanding its efforts to ensure hunger doesn’t prevent students from learning.

The district is growing its after-school healthy snack program, which provides free snacks at schools in attendance areas with qualifying levels of students who receive free or reduced-price meals. Nearly one-third of Cherokee County students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Through the federally funded program, snacks that meet healthy eating standards are available to students participating in regularly scheduled after-school educational or enrichment activities, such as the district’s After School Program, tutoring and extra-curricular clubs.

Along with the five schools already participating, the program will begin Monday, Sept. 12 at Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy, Clayton Elementary School, Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy and Knox Elementary School.

It will be expanded later this fall to Cherokee High School, Etowah High School and E.T. Booth Middle School.

“The research is clear: hunger negatively impacts students," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower. "It hinders their learning, increases behavioral issues and affects their physical, mental and emotional health. While in an ideal world, every child would receive adequate nutrition without our support, the reality is that some students struggle to get enough to eat. We want to do our part to ensure that every child is ready to learn and that includes not being distracted by hunger.”

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