Published on:
18
August 2005
Break time could prove to be a mooooving experience for pupils at Clackmannan Primary on Monday (22nd August).
Because that's when the youngsters will meet a cow and her calf from a local farm and learn all about the story of milk.
The visit by Ross Logan of Hillend Farm and three of his herd marks the launch of a new milk scheme in Clackmannanshire. Under the scheme, all primary school pupils who are entitled to free school meals can have a 200ml carton of fresh, cold, semi-skimmed milk at morning break, free of charge. Other children and their parents can choose to opt-in to the scheme and pay 13p per day.
You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to Clackmannan Primary School at 10am on Monday 22nd August for the launch of the milk scheme. Farmer Logan is bringing along a cow and two calves.
Councillor Bobby McGill said: "I am delighted that Clackmannanshire Council has found the £30,000 required to fund this scheme, which I'm sure will prove to be popular among children and their parents.
"The benefits associated with drinking milk at school have long been recognised. This scheme, which has been brought about thanks to a partnership with the Milk Development Council and our suppliers Wiseman, provides not only a health boost to Clackmannanshire's youngsters, but has a positive knock on effect for farmers and the dairy industry."
Milk is one of the most nutritionally complete foods and a small carton contains more vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B12 and vitamin D than a carton of orange juice, and as much as 11 times more calcium, which is vital to build strong bones and teeth.
The milk will also provide a mid-morning energy boost for children which can help improve concentration, which in turn can make a class more alert, more receptive and improve the effectiveness of the lessons.
The School Milk Project, which is funded by the Milk Development Council, has been actively promoting the uptake of school milk through direct contact with schools since 1988. It employs a network of facilitators across Great Britain including Claire Doyle in Scotland who works with schools and advise them on the best way to establish school milk schemes.
Claire said Monday's visit will be a fun way to reintroduce the traditional idea of drinking milk in school.
She added: "I am delighted to help promote the break-time milk scheme to all primary schools in Clackmannanshire.
"It's fabulous the authority is placing such emphasis on milk especially as it tastes great, re -hydrates kids, is packed with calcium for young bones and teeth, vitamins and minerals for development and energy, and is so affordable.
"After the re-introduction of milk, teachers who have a milk scheme in place tell us their pupils concentrate better."