Many schools hire out for tasks such as stocking the lunchroom, however, Northview is not one of those schools. The students in special education teacher Robyne Bailey’s first hour work with the lunch staff to make sure that the lunchroom is clean and ready for all students to use and enjoy everyday.
“The students stock beverage coolers, snack displays, napkins, spoons, and forks, and break down boxes for recycling,” Bailey said.
Working with the lunch staff helps to teach Bailey’s class the necessary skills required to work in the food service.
“Working in the lunchroom gives students an opportunity to practice working respectfully with co-workers and develop time management skills,” Bailey said.
The help from Bailey’s students is not only considered extremely helpful by the lunch staff, but it is essential to the cafeteria’s function.
“I love working with them,” Karen Jesse, a food service provider, said. “They are amazing. Never complain, and do everything we ask.”
The help is well received, and according to Jesse, they’d never be able to do it without the class. The kids love to help out too.
“I do the cooler with Mrs. Johnson,” cafeteria helper Katie Mitchell said. “I really like it when I help stock drinks like chocolate milk.”
The kids start working with the lunch staff at the beginning of each year. The work is considered a part of their curriculum and the reward for a week’s hard work is something they all look forward to.
“Every Friday we get free slushies!” Mitchell said.
But to them the best treat isn’t a nice frozen drink, it’s the company of the lunch staff.
“The lunch ladies are awesome,” sophomore Savannah Beemer said. “You go in the kitchen with a smile on your face and you leave it with a bigger smile.”
