Grab-and-go meals popular with PFHS students

Post Falls High School has doubled the number of breakfasts it serves, a year after starting a grab-and-go option.

Beverly Davis, a food service employee, has taken on the cause of making sure the students have food to nourish their brains.

“It’s a proven fact that if students have breakfast in the morning, they’re able to study and function better in classes,” said Davis, who has worked in the district for eight years.

After thinking about students who fend for themselves in the morning because their parents have left for work, or students who opt out of the school breakfast because they see long lines, Davis wrote a grant request to the Idaho Dairy Council.

She got $500 and created the grab-and-go breakfast.

In contrast to the hot food options, such as pancakes and sausages, the grab-and-go contains foods that students can eat while walking or in between classes: cereal, fruit, Pop-Tarts, cereal bars and breakfast sandwiches.

Some students pick the grab-and-go for other reasons.

“It tastes better,” said Ben Steckman, a junior, who on a recent morning opted for a breakfast sandwich, filled with egg, sausage and cheese. “I wouldn’t eat if they didn’t have these.”

Sitting next to him, Jerhad Siegel, a senior, was eating pancakes and sausage. He said he could eat at home, but this way he gets to hang out with his friends at the same time.

Why doesn’t he pick the grab-and-go?

“I like to sit down and enjoy what I’m eating,” he said.

Ramsey’s Marconi is First Class School Champion

Hugh Marconi is Numerica’s First Class School Champion for February.

The special-education teacher at Ramsey Elementary was nominated by one of his second-graders, Jackie Hinkelmann.

“He always talks nice to me in class. He teaches me how to read and write so I can do good in school. He is awesome,” Jackie wrote in her essay. “I can’t hear very well, so he got my teacher a microphone. I can hear her better now and do better on my spelling tests.”

Marconi, who has 20 years of teaching experience, received $100 to be used at the school, a plaque, gift bag, two Silverwood Theme Park passes and a $45 Outback Steakhouse gift certificate.

Coeur d’Alene Teachers’ Credit Union began the award in 2003, and Numerica continued it when the two companies merged a year later. It recognizes one North Idaho school employee every month, September through May. Students can get nomination forms at school offices or online www.numericacu.com.

Lake City needs world flag sponsors

Lake City High School has established a world flag display in its library, a tribute to broadening horizons and internationalism.

Out of 30 flags, 16 are still available for a $50 sponsorship. Donors are entitled to a dedication phrasing on a 3-by-5-inch plaque below a country’s 4-by-2-foot flag.

The countries that have not yet been sponsored are: Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Vietnam and Wales.

If donors are interested, the library is willing to swap out unsponsored flags with those from other countries not among the original 30, said librarian Paul Sutton. The library may expand the display in the future, he added.

The countries whose flags already have been sponsored are: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.

For more information, call the library at 769-2967.

Holy Family holds annual auction

Holy Family Catholic School is holding its annual auction next Saturday, complete with prizes like an Alaskan sport fishing package, dinner with Patty Duke Pearce and tickets to a Zags game.

Proceeds from the event go toward the school’s general operating fund and scholarship endowment fund.

The event includes dinner and dancing to tunes provided by DJ Rox Music.

Tickets to the auction are $40 and can be purchased over the phone or at the school, 3005 W. Kathleen Ave. For more information, call 765-4327.