The Pasadena ISD Child Nutrition Services has designed the start of every school week as "Brain Boost Monday," a way to promote free breakfast programs now available to all students at all but a handful of district schools.

Child Nutrition Services began implementing free breakfast programs on several campuses three years ago. This fall 53 schools benefit from the program, which is funded through Child Nutrition Services revenues.

The program is available to schools where the free and reduced meals total is 60 percent or more of enrollment.

"Brain Boost Mondays" will stress the importance that breakfast plays in both daily nutrient intake and in academic achievement. During October, small prizes will be presented to every child who eats breakfast at school.

"We want to encourage kids to eat a healthy breakfast every day," said Mary Harryman, the district's director of Child Nutrition Services, "not just the day of the TAKS test."