A new program delivers free breakfast to all 350 students each morning when school starts, providing children an opportunity to eat a meal with their classmates right into their first class instructions.

Oakland Unified School District's food services program has been experimenting with different ways to encourage better nutritional habits at Oakland schools.

"Students who eat school breakfasts do better in school academically and nutritiously," said Jennifer LeBarre, administrative supervisor for food services. "We're hoping to get this out to more schools this year."

Each morning, student monitors head to the cafeteria and carry red wagons with entrees and drinks to classrooms. Offerings are as varied as French toast, biscuits with sausage, breakfast burritos or cereal and milk.

The food is delivered in warming and cooling bags. The breakfast is part of the first 10 to 15 minutes of class beginning at 8:30 am.

LeBarre said since the school began the program in early February, officials have seen a 200 percent increase in students who have been eating breakfast -- almost half the students at the school. Before, breakfast was offered only in the cafeteria before the start of class and free only to low-income students.

Food services was awarded $37,000 in state grant money for programs in the district. The program at Cole uses $8,700 for food and supplies.

Cole became a pilot program because of Principal Dorothy Wiggins' willingness to try it, school district officials said.

Wiggins said many middle school kids choose to be with their friends in the mornings instead of eating breakfast. But now, she said, she sees fewer "mid-morning floppers" coming down to the office complaining about being hungry.

"They're growing at their age, and there's a lot of brainpower that's used," Wiggins said. "If we're not putting stuff in, there's a point where the inner tank draws its reserve."

Busayo Alabi, food service field supervisor for the district, came up with the idea after looking at research correlating academics with morning nutrition. He modeled the idea from similar programs in other school districts.

"Knowing Ms. Wiggins, she's always willing to at least try something," Alabi said. "Anything that helps the children, she'll do it."

Funding for the program is enough to provide free breakfasts to five or six more schools, and although Alabi has approached other principals about the program, he said they worry the meals distract from morning classes.

Wiggins said the school is working on technical kinks, including adjusting the morning bell schedule to provide a little extra time during the first period.

Although some studies have criticized the nutritional value of food served at grade schools, Alabi said nothing is served at the school that does not meet state and federal requirements.

He said food services is working on a special menu for Cole, geared to appeal to more students.

"When kids come to school, they're hungry and they can't listen. Once they eat breakfast, they're more attentive," Alabi said.

Cole Elementary and Middle School is a public school in West Oakland, teaching students in fourth through eighth grades.

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