To most kids, the cafeteria staff at the Allen County Primary Center (ACPC) is seldom seen beyond the confines of the kitchen and lunchroom. Kids may catch a glimpse of the workers while grabbing breakfast on the go or walking through a lunch line at the school yet, more often than not, the food service workers remain behind the scene. However, last week, students were able to see 12 cafeteria workers in a new light---as a volunteer willing to spend time outside their normal day reading a story.
In honor of National School Lunch Week, the cafeteria staff at the Primary Center left the kitchen for time in the classroom----reading to the students from the 46 classrooms at the school.
“The cafeteria staff/lunch ladies went to each classroom to read to students on Thursday and Friday,” explained Mary Hobdy, Director of School Food Service for Allen County Schools. “The books we read were chosen by Mrs. Tasha Stamper (ACPC school librarian). My only request was that all books had to be about food.”
The idea was sparked by the ongoing Points of Light (POL) Partner Volunteer program---a program in which volunteers from faith-based and community organizations come to a school and spend time one-on-one with a child. In many cases, the POL partner will read to a child or use sight words to help improve the child improve reading. Plus, officials at the Primary Center continue to stress the important---reinforcing the idea by asking parents and community members to read to students.
“The thought came to me that the Food Service Cafeteria Staff should read to the students in their classrooms,” Hobdy added. “Let’s take the lunch ladies to the students for a change.”
Hobdy’s idea was transformed to reality with the help of Stamper’s ability to select books and coordinate a schedule where the 12 cafeteria workers could make contact with 46 classrooms---in the midst of working to prepare lunch for approximately 1,000 students.
“We made a plan for the staff to come in and read to one or two classrooms at a time,” Stamper. “I got a selection of books together in advance and took the books to the ladies for them to practice. Not everybody reads children’s books to children every day. Some of the ladies were a little intimidated at first but I think they really enjoyed it. When they would come out of the classroom, they were beaming. It was a really wonderful experience.”
Stamper was quick to note that the students also enjoyed the day.
“The kids loved it, especially seeing the ladies in a different role,” Stamper noted. “It was really exciting for the kids as well. I hope we can do it again.”
Students at the Primary Center also received a General Mills cereal bowl compliments of Kellogg’s.
“We earn points when we purchase Kellogg’s products and it has taken a while to purchase the cereal bowls,” Hobdy explained. “As soon as our gift supply from Kellogg’s adds up, we will be venturing out to the Allen County Intermediate Center. When that happens, I am sure an idea will come to mind that will involve the cafeteria staff and the students of ACIC.”
ACPC food service workers reading to students included Robin Meador, Toni Kendall, Annette Ausbrooks, DarRita Carver, Scharline Carver, Sandy Fitzpatrick, Shenna Hopkins, Toni McGuire, Vanessa Petty, Serena Robinson, Penny Phillips, and Patti Taylor. Hobdy also hopes that her food services workers can repeat reading to students at some point in the spring semester.