Hardy EATS/PTO School Snack Partnership



The snack program at our school, supported by Arlington EATS and Hardy PTO, makes sure that kids have access to nourishing snacks throughout the school day. Research shows that students who are consistently hungry are more likely to have developmental and educational issues. Giving kids snacks allows them to concentrate on learning — not on their hunger. 

 

For the 2023-24 school year, Hardy PTO has budgeted $2000 to support this program at Hardy. Our goal is to provide snacks to any child who needs one so that there is no stigma attached to being hungry. With this as our guiding principle, we know we will feed kids who simply forgot their snack, are growing, are extra hungry, or are from a family that is struggling to put food on the table. Once they have enough to eat, then they can get back to the work of being a student. 
 
With that in mind, we ask that you provide snacks for your student if you are able to. But you should know that if you forget one day, we have you covered! If you find your student is ignoring the snack you send from home, take a minute to explain to them that Hardy snacks are only for when they forgot theirs or are extra hungry. Additionally, if you have the ability, we ask that you help support our snack program so that we can always have enough for all children. The best way to do that is to donate to Hardy PTO, which provides funding for snack purchases. 
 
All snacks are held by classroom teachers. Each teacher has their own covered snack bin of individually-wrapped items that are replenished as needed. 
 
Approved snack list:
  • Applesauce cups*
  • Whole grain saltines*
  • Graham crackers*
  • Pretzel twists*
  • Raisins/Craisins*
  • Cheerios* (Cheerios brand only)
  • Ritz crackers
  • Wheat Thins
  • Nutrigrain bars
 
 
* We keep the snack list very simple, focusing on the top six items. If we offer snacks that are too enticing, kids skip their snacks from home and eat what we offer.
 
Our Snack Ambassador is Annie Clarke-Lauer. For more information, please contact her at snacks@hardypto.com.