Walking in the lunch-lady's shoes

Hamburg — When language arts teacher Pam Dean realized her eighth-grade students had an interest in helping to plan school menus, she seized the opportunity to initiate a cooperative learning relationship between the school cafeteria staff and her students. With the approval of the food service provider and with the guidance of school cafeteria manager Michelle Bifano, the students selected nutritious foods they would like to have on the menu. Their choices had to complete a balanced meal based on the food pyramid and meet government guidelines for a healthy meal. The students developed a deeper respect for the cafeteria staff as they walked in the “lunch ladies’” shoes for a week this January and served the students of Hamburg School their lunch. They realized how much work is involved in planning, preparing and serving a balanced meal. “These eighth-graders were so kind, cooperative and eager to be helpful and learn,” said Bifano.