As the new school year kicked-off, LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy pulled on a hairnet and apron and got hands-on training from Cafeteria Worker Maria Castillo today at Esteban Torres High School in East Los Angeles. The Superintendent worked the morning breakfast shift to learn more about what it takes to feed hundreds of students every day and to highlight how cafeteria workers and other support staff play an essential role in student learning.
Superintendent Deasy stocked milk and juice, prepared food items, loaded Breakfast in the Classroom carts, and served students throughout the morning. “I am happy the Superintendent joined the cafeteria crew today,” said Maria Castillo, who has worked in LAUSD cafeterias for eight years. “It takes a lot of work but I enjoy my job because I know kids won’t go to class on an empty stomach. For many kids, I know that I may be serving them their only good meal of the day.”
“I don’t only speak as a District employee, my son is also a student at Torres High School,” added Maria. “As a mother, I know how important it is to take care of all the needs of a child. They have to eat in order to be able to learn.”
Cafeteria workers also aimed to demonstrate about how budget cuts have impacted student services. Maria Castillo says cafeteria staff has been reduced at Torres in recent years, leaving only eight food service workers to prepare and serve more than 2,500 meals per day during five different lunch schedules. “I hope Superintendent Deasy will remember his day as a cafeteria worker when he and the Board make budget decisions in the future,” said Maria.
By inviting the Superintendent to “walk in their shoes,” cafeteria workers also hoped to raise awareness about how all school workers, including custodians, bus drivers, teaching assistants, campus aides, and others contribute to students’ academic success. “The work we do is necessary for a positive learning environment,” said Custodian Edna Logan.
“It was a great morning,” said Superintendent Deasy. “You have no idea what it takes to serve food at this scale. The team work is amazing. The thing that amazed me was how everyone in the cafeteria knew the students’ names and even encouraged them to eat. They know each other on a personal level. The students are deeply respectful of the cafeteria workers and the workers are very caring.”
Read news coverage from the Los Angeles Daily News
See photos from Deasy’s shift:
