Local 99 Member Vicki Johnson Woods is pictured above, holding her award.
“I didn’t expect this but I’m very thankful someone feels I’m good at what I do,” said Vicki Johnson-Woods, nutrition supervisor at Compton Unified School District’s (CUSD) Chavez Alternative High School.Johnson-Woods was one of 11 classified employees from throughout the state recognized by the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) at its Annual Person of the Year Awards ceremony, Sunday, April 28, at the Universal City Sheraton. She was commended for her efforts to ensure her school’s students are nourished with a daily breakfast and lunch, while also promoting healthy eating habits.
With over 25 years of experience, Johnson-Woods is well aware that many high school students stigmatize cafeteria food. “They have many negative names for it, but they need it because they can’t go to class with an empty stomach. Without their brain fuel, they can’t think,” she said. “But my staff and I make every effort to innovate what we do so that our kids eat. We always make sure there are vegetables and fruits incorporated into everything we do, and we’ve instituted what we call ‘Taco Tuesdays’ and ‘BBQ Thursdays.’ And, instead of simply putting chicken or beef in the oven, we grill it so that the aromas entice our students.”
Johnson-Woods explained that with the support of her staff, she developed an innovative approach to the District’s “grab and go” program, which allows students to grab prepared dishes from carts. “Instead of just having them pick up plates full of food, we let them customize their meal with whatever we’re offering each day. For breakfast they might create a combo of orange juice and a bagel instead of cereal or pancakes. They have choices at lunch too,” Johnson- Woods pointed out. She added that she and her cafeteria staff also work together on the school’s “Breakfast in the Classroom” program, which is also implemented throughout CUSD elementary schools. “
On average, we feed over 85 percent of Chavez’s student population every day for breakfast and lunch, so it means a lot to receive this award,” she said. “I love my job, I love my kids, and I love my staff.”
Principal Rudy Washington praised Johnson-Woods for her hard work and dedication to serving students. “She has done amazing things with our food service here, and it has really impacted attendance in a good way. The students love the food we provide. I think it’s one of the big reasons why they show up for school each day,” he said. “Vicki’s award is tremendous for Chavez High. I believe there are several components that help create a great school. It takes everyone from the teachers and staff, and in this case, our cafeteria workers who all do a wonderful job.”
The post above is taken from a Compton Unified Press Release.
