Boardman Schools is bringing back its "Tot Chef" after-school program that gets kids ready to make healthy meals and snacks.

Thirty 3rd graders from each elementary school are signed up for the 6-week program that began during the first week of October.

Students learn the basics in the kitchen while focusing on safety and good nutrition. Classes meet for one hour per week and learn to cut, prepare, cook and clean.

The program is funded by a $2,500 grant that was awarded to the district last May.

"I was so happy to receive the grant last spring to help revive the program, and to extend it to as many students as possible," said Boardman Food Service Director Natalie Winkle. "Class sizes were restricted to 30 for safety, and the first 30 permission slips that were signed and returned to each school office became our first little chefs in training."