2017 MSTEP Testing & Student Preparation
Month: March 2017
Thank You – Flowers on the Avenue!
NEW PARTNERSHIP CREATED
THANK YOU – FLOWERS ON THE AVENUE!!
Address: 6834 Park Ave, Allen Park, MI 48101
Allen Park Public Schools would like to say THANK YOU to FLOWERS On The Avenue! Our elementary art teachers have partnered up with Flowers on the Avenue to help our kindergarten students learn about Impressionist Art. The kindergarten students in all three elementary schools are studying Art History with a focus Claude Monet and his famous waterlilies paintings!
Flowers On The Avenue has been donating flowers to our art program that will be used in this project!
March 27, 2017
3/27 – 3/31. LINDEMANN SPIRIT WEEK!
3/29 – High School Professional Interview day.
3/29 – PTA/PTSA Council at Arno Elementary School. 7:00 PM
SPIRIT WEEK THEME DAYS:
Monday: 3/27 – Fox in socks day. Wear silly socks!
Tuesday: 3/28 – Fiction Fun Day. Dress as a Character from your favorite book!
Wednesday: 3/29 – Readers are great leaders day. Dress for the JOB / Career you want!
Thursday: 3/30 – “Oh the places you will go”. Wear COLLEGE apparel!
Friday: 3/31 – Curl up with a good book day. Wear your PJ’s and bring in your favorite book!
The staff and students at Lindemann Elementary School would like to say THANK YOU to all of our Guest Readers who visited us in the month of March.
(Above) MRS. KANEKO reading to Mrs. Lacey’s 2nd grade class!
(Below) MRS. KANEKO reading to Mrs. Page’s 1st grade class!
Dr. Sturock visited and read to Mrs. Dixon’s 4th Grade Class.
MR. MILLER takes time to visit and read with Mrs. Kusulas’s 2nd grade class!
MR. PITTMAN visiting and reading to Mr. Wahl’s 3rd grade class!
MR. PITTMAN reading to Mr. Fasca’s kindergarten Class
Here are a few pics from the 3rd annual CWHL (Children With Hair Loss) event that took place on Monday 3/20/17 after school at APMS. We had over 30 girls and staff members from all over the district and community donate their hair for a grand total of 116 ponytails to date. It takes roughly 15-20 ponytails to make 1 wig for a child in need, so this is enough hair to make roughly 6 wigs. This event is one that truly demonstrates how a few people can make a positive impact on the lives of others. Thank you to Anthony’s salon for donating their time and expertise by providing all of the free hair cuts to help support such a worthwhile cause.
Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Rimsa participated in the ROCK-CF 5K this past weekend!
Congratulations and Thank You for making a difference!
Dear APPS Staff & Families,
A reminder that the following is the Spring Break timeline for the 2016-17 school year:
SPRING BREAK 2017
- April 1 thru April 9, 2017
- Classes Resume Monday, April 10
APHS & APCS Special Testing Schedule (APHS Letter Attached)
o April 11th – Juniors & Sophomores Only (No School for Freshman & Seniors)
o April 12 – Juniors & Freshman Only in AM (Class for all grades at 11:00 a.m.)
- No School on Friday, April 14 (Good Friday)
- Classes Resume Monday, April 17, 2017
While the entire 2017-18 school year calendar is not yet complete, the following are Winter Break 2017 and Spring Break 2018 timelines for those planning vacations:
WINTER BREAK 2017
- Last Day of Class Friday, December 22, 2017
- December 23 thru January 7, 2018
- Classes Resume Monday, January 8, 2018
SPRING BREAK 2018
- March 30 (Good Friday) thru April 8
- Classes Resume Monday, April 9, 2018
-
LINDEMANN FAMILY SKATE NIGHT THIS FRIDAY 3/24/17
LINDEMANN PTA FAMILY SKATING PARTY
Friday, March 24, 2017
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Lincoln Park Skating Center
1419 Southfield Rd. Lincoln Park, 48146
March 20, 2017
3/22/17. Half Day for Students. 11:40 Dismissal
3/22 – 3/25. 5th GRADE CAMP
3/24 – HS Spring Musical. Center for the Arts. 7:00 PM
3/25 – HS Spring Musical. Center for the Arts. 7:00 PM
3/26 – HS Spring Musical. Center for the Arts. 2:00 PM
3/27 – 3/31. LINDEMANN SPIRIT WEEK!
3/29 – High School Professional Interview day.
3/29 – PTA/PTSA Council at Arno Elementary School. 7:00 PM
SPIRIT WEEK THEME DAYS:
Monday: 3/27 – Fox in socks day. Wear silly socks!
Tuesday: 3/28 – Fiction Fun Day. Dress as a Character from your favorite book!
Wednesday: 3/29 – Readers are great leaders day. Dress for the JOB / Career you want!
Thursday: 3/30 – “Oh the places you will go”. Wear COLLEGE apparel!
Friday: 3/31 – Curl up with a good book day. Wear your PJ’s and bring in your favorite book!
There’s nothing better than walking the halls after school
hearing the sound of the Lindemann Chime Choir practicing.
Thank you Mr. Hoffman 🙂
Every year we can count on Dr. Sturock visiting our classrooms
and reading to our students! Thank you Dr. Sturock,
we always love your visits and appreciate you visiting
with Mrs. Torok’s 3rd grade class today!
THANK YOU
TONYA GUGLIELMETTI
FOR PROVIDING PHOTOS FROM THE
DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE!
To view the photos please click on the link below 🙂
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z4kmsitjlqovlv2/AAC-SXKM-_dYlfITqaLd4cLfa?dl=0
VIBE FIT STUDIO (right here in Allen park) offers ZUMBA KIDS CLASSES!
Zumba Kids classes incorporate key childhood development elements such as leadership, respect, team work, confidence, self-esteem, memory, creativity, coordination and cultural awareness.
TEACHER BLOG PAGES:
Don’t forget to check out these awesome Blog pages from our teachers!
Kindergarten:
Miss Partin. Kindergarten Blog
1st Grade:
2nd Grade:
3rd Grade:
4th Grade:
4th Grade – MATH Live Binder – Website
5th Grade:
Specials:
Mrs. Bartnick. Lindemann Technology Blog
Mrs. Bowdell. Physical Education Blog
Services:
Mrs. Waldus. Speech & Language Pathology Blog
Mrs. Brown. Allen Park Social Workers Blog
Early Childhood Program:
Attention students and staff…
We will be having our 3rd annual Hair Cutting Event at Allen Park Middle School this year on Monday March 20th from 2:30-4:30 pm in the activity room near the gym. This year, Ms. Kinsey, Mrs. Speakman and Mrs. Brown are all donating their hair! The event will be one week before Spring break so start growing your hair now if you plan to participate!
Hair stylists from Anthony’s salon will be donating haircuts to those students who are willing to donate 8 inches of hair or more. You can still donate if your hair has been colored and/or processed. All of the hair that is donated will go to “Children With Hair Loss” in South Rockwood, and will be made into wigs for children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions like cancer, or alopecia.
If you are a student who is on NJHS, Mrs. Church has approved 2 volunteer points for you if you donate your hair on March 20th. Please sign up in Mrs. Speakman room 112 or with Mrs. Brown, across from the Media Center, if you are planning to donate your hair. If you do not have enough hair to donate, but want to support the cause, Children With Hair Loss is always looking for student volunteers at their store in South Rockwood.
Please see Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Speakman or Mrs. Kelly if you have any questions.
YOUR HEALTH
For The Children’s Sake, Put Down That Smartphone!
addict mobile phone parents neglecting daughter ignored and bored.
It’s not just kids who are overdoing screen time. Parents are often just as guilty of spending too much time checking smartphones and e-mail — and the consequences for their children can be troubling.
Dr. Jenny Radesky is a pediatrician specializing in child development. When she worked at a clinic in a high-tech savvy Seattle neighborhood, Radesky started noticing how often parents ignored their kids in favor of a mobile device. She remembers a mother placing her phone in the stroller between herself and the baby. “The baby was making faces and smiling at the mom,” Radesky says, “and the mom wasn’t picking up any of it; she was just watching a YouTube video.”
Radesky was so concerned she decided to study the behavior. After relocating to Boston Medical Center, she and two other researchers spent one summer observing 55 different groups of parents and young children eating at fast food restaurants. Many of the caregivers pulled out a mobile device right away, she says. “They looked at it, scrolled on it and typed for most of the meal, only putting it down intermittently.”
To continue reading this article please click on the link below
APPS Limited Schools of Choice Program for 2017-18
The Allen Park Public School District has established a successful Schools of Choice Program for the past several years and the Board of Education has approved continuation of the program for the 2017-18 school year for Kindergarten through 8th Grade. (Requests for specific elementary schools cannot be guaranteed)
Applications are available beginning Monday, April 10 at the Riley Education Center, 9601 Vine. Completed applications will be accepted beginning Tuesday, May 2 through Monday, May 22, 2017 from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. weekdays in the Pupil Accounting Office at the Riley Education Center. Completed applications must be presented in person to ensure that all information is complete. A random draw selection will be held on June 1 at 9:00 a.m. at the Riley Education Center. The draw will determine numerical selection for acceptance of candidates.
We ask that you help us by sharing this information with friends and/or family members who may be interested in having their children become a part of the Allen Park Public Schools Family.
For more information about the Schools of Choice Program, please see the attached FAQ’s, visit our website atapps.k12.mi.us or call (313) 827-2105.
March 13, 2017
3/13/17. 7:00 PM. Board of Education Mtg. LGI.
3/17/17. Happy St. Patrick’s Day
3/18/17. PTA/PTSA SPRING FEVER CRAFT FAIR. APHS.
3/22/17. Half Day for Students. 11:40 Dismissal.
3/22 – 3/25. 5th GRADE CAMP
3/29/17. High School Professional Interview day
Here is information on preschool to pass along to our elementary principals to include in upcoming building newsletters.
If you have a child who will be 3 years old by September 1st, 2017 or a 4 year old child, consider enrolling them in our Preschool Program. Please come with your child to our Preschool Open House on Thursday, April 20th, 2017 anytime between 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM at Lindemann Elementary, 9201 Carter. You will be able to meet our teachers, experience our classroom centers, discover theme-based teaching, and make new friends.
Registration will begin for in-district residents on Friday, April 21st, 2017 at 7:30 AM at the Riley Education Center, 14700 Moore. Out-of-district residents may begin registering Friday, April 28th, 2017 at 7:30 AM.
Our office hours for registrations are 7:30 AM – 3:45 PM, Monday through Friday.
NO REGISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE DURING OPEN HOUSE
For further information, contact Kristy Caleca in the Preschool Office at 313-827-2662 or caleca@appublicschools.com
Thank you,
Kristy Caleca
Secretary
Allen Park Community School
Allen Park Preschool Program
14700 Moore
Allen Park, MI 48101
313-827-2662
Caleca@appublicschools.com
Dear Lindemann Elementary School,
I received and reviewed your Michigan Green School activity verification. Congratulations! Because of the hard work from the teachers, students and parents, Lindemann Elementary School has received the 2017 Michigan Emerald School designation, by completing at least 15 energy saving and environmental tasks. The efforts you made to complete the tasks are very impressive. I urge Lindemann Elementary School to continue with the energy saving and environmental tasks and hope you encourage others to follow.
Thank you for the well written and organized documentation, I very much appreciate it.
I will stay in contact with you regarding your certificate, banner, and the 10 year anniversary recognition ceremony, which has been scheduled for May 16, 2017. Please note that if you already received a banner you will be receiving an annual decal to place on your banner.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Go Green and Stay Green,
Nancy Gregor
Wayne County Michigan Green School Co-coordinator
Dear APPS Staff & Families,
Some great events coming your way soon…
Autism Awareness Color Run – “Walk to Solve the Puzzle”
The entire community is invited to participate in the walk-run or come cheer on the runners, spread some color, enjoy the silent auction and festivities on Sunday, April 30 from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. at Champaign Park at Pelham and Champaign Roads. All proceeds benefit the Allen Park Public Schools Autism Spectrum Disorder Programs. See attached for discounted pre-registration and onsite event and registration info!
PTA/PTSA Council Spring Fever Craft & Vendor Show
The AP PTA/PTSA Council presents the Spring Fever Craft & Vendor Show at Allen Park High School at Saturday, March 18 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit the scholarship fund for the 2017 AP graduating seniors! Other attractions include a Mom 2 Mom Sale, Silent Auction, Bake Sale, Sports Card & Memorabilia Show & Concessions. See attached for details and table rental info!
Spring Musical – Beauty and the Beast
The APHS Drama Club presents a spring musical, Disney Beauty and the Beast! Be our guest on March 24 and 25 at7:00 p.m. in the Allen Park Center for the Arts or at the matinee on March 26 at 2:00 p.m. More info attached!
Allen Park Jaguars – Baseball Skills Camp
Saturday, March 25 – Sessions for Elementary School Grades & Middle School Grades
Camp Cost – $35
See attached for more info & registration!
The Rotary Club of Allen Park hosts
Rotary Rockin’ Sock Hop – March 24 at the Lincoln Park Masonic Temple Hall
Details attached – $25 per person – Food, Costume Contest – Door Prizes – 50/50 Raffle – DANCING!
Proceeds to purchase books for APPS Media Centers
Attention students and staff…
We will be having our 3rd annual Hair Cutting Event at Allen Park Middle School this year on Monday March 20th from 2:30-4:30 pm in the activity room near the gym. This year, Ms. Kinsey, Mrs. Speakman and Mrs. Brown are all donating their hair! The event will be one week before Spring break so start growing your hair now if you plan to participate!
Hair stylists from Anthony’s salon will be donating haircuts to those students who are willing to donate 8 inches of hair or more. You can still donate if your hair has been colored and/or processed. All of the hair that is donated will go to “Children With Hair Loss” in South Rockwood, and will be made into wigs for children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions like cancer, or alopecia.
If you are a student who is on NJHS, Mrs. Church has approved 2 volunteer points for you if you donate your hair on March 20th. Please sign up in Mrs. Speakman room 112 or with Mrs. Brown, across from the Media Center, if you are planning to donate your hair. If you do not have enough hair to donate, but want to support the cause, Children With Hair Loss is always looking for student volunteers at their store in South Rockwood.
Please see Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Speakman or Mrs. Kelly if you have any questions.
Kindergarten Information & Registration
February is Kindergarten Registration Month in Allen Park!
Allen Park Public Schools is ready to welcome your child for Kindergarten for the 2017-18 school year! The process is easy and we’re here to help.
Please share this information with friends, neighbors and family members who may have a child ready for Kindergarten next fall. Whether this is yourfirst childattending school, or you live in the district andalready have a child attending APPS, or already have a child attending APPS through ourSchool of Choice Program, we need you to enroll your school age/younger siblings through our registration process.
*The entry age for Kindergarten for the 2017-18 school year – child must be five years of age by September 1, 2017.
Kindergarten enrollment takes place at the Riley Education Center, 9601 Vine, Allen Park, Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. –3:30 p.m. (Office closedFebruary 20 & 21 for Mid-Winter Break)
Please bring:
§ Birth Certificate of Child
§ Driver’s License of Parent/Legal Guardian (for ID purposes)
§ Proof of residency (Warranty Deed/closing statement, tax or utility bill, homeowner’s insurance policy, rental agreement)
§ Current School of Choice Families – Name/grade of student currently enrolled in Allen Park Public Schools
§ Immunization Records or Wayne County Health Department Waiver (Required for enrollment)
§ Health Information Form/Physical (Required for entrance, but not required at time of enrollment)
§ Vision Screening Record (Required for Kindergarten enrollment)
For more information, please visit our website at apps.k12.mi.us or call (313) 827-2105.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP
MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017 – 6:30 p.m.
at Arno, Bennie and Lindemann Elementary
Young Fives or Kindergarten?
Young Fives Informational Meeting – March 21, 2017 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Allen Park High School – LGI Room
Young Fives Screening Sessions – March 28-29, 2017
(Please see website under the “Schools” tab for more information)
*Children who are five years of age by September 2 thru December 1 may only be enrolled for kindergarten at the request of the parent/guardian through a signed waiver process. Waiver form is available at the Riley Education Center.
Kindergarten Information & Registration
- Turn 5 years old between July 1st and December 1st.
- Live in the Allen Park Public Schools district
- Could benefit from an extra year of social and emotional growth.
- Have made significant progress in preschool, but are not yet ready for the demands of Kindergarten.
- Have attended preschool (not a mandatory requirement, but strongly encouraged)
- Have a basic understanding of academic concepts
- Able to identify several letters, letter sounds, shapes, and colors.
Young Fives or Kindergarten?
Children enter kindergarten with a range of skills, including physical, cognitive, social, and emotional. Often, children who turn five years of age later than their peers will have a significantly different level of development than a child approaching their sixth birthday. For this reason, we offer a Young 5’s Program.
The program is designed for students who have a summer or fall birthdate. The focus of the program is to provide eligible children another year to learn and grow, helping to prevent them from experiencing the frustration of the high demands of kindergarten when they are not ready.
This program does not replace preschool or kindergarten; rather, our Young Fives Program offers an additional year as a gift of time. Enrollment in the Young Fives Program is a decision made in collaboration between parents, teachers, and administrators that begins with a screening process.
Students enrolled in the Young Fives Program have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities designed to bridge the gap between preschool and kindergarten. Students engage in activities that teach thinking, reasoning, and decision-making skills. They also develop their listening, social/emotional, and literacy skills.
The Program allows children to use a hands on approach to learning. The curriculum is similar to kindergarten but moves at a slower more manageable pace. This program provides a strong foundation that helps children become more successful students and ignites a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
Young Fives Informational Meeting
March 21, 2017 from 6:30-7:30 PM at:
Allen Park High School-LGI Room
18401 Champaign Rd
Allen Park, MI 48101
Young Fives Screening Sessions
March 28-29, 2017 at:
Lindemann Elementary
9201 Carter Ave
Allen Park, MI 48101
Sign up for a time slot by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/AllenParkYoungFives
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is the Young Fives Program full day?
A: Yes, the children start and end school with all other K-5 students.
Q: Where will my child go after completing the Young Fives Program?
A: Your child will advance to kindergarten.
Q: Do students in the Young Fives program attend gym, art, music, media and technology?
A: Young Five students attend these classes as well as lunch with our Kindergarten students.
Q: How many students are in the Young Fives Program.
A: Enrollment is limited to 15 children in the Young Fives Program.
http://www.apps.k12.mi.us/schools/young-5s/
March 6, 2017
3/8/17. Half Day for Students. 11:40 AM Dismissal. AT BENNIE ELEMENTARY
3/12/17. Daylight Savings
3/13/17. 7:00 PM. Board of Education Mtg. LGI
3/17/17. Happy St. Pat’s Day
3/18/17. PTA/PTSA SPRING FEVER CRAFT FAIR. APHS.
3/22/17. Half Day for Students. 11:40 Dismissal
3/22 – 3/25. 5th GRADE CAMP
3/29/17. High School Professional Interview day
MARCH IS READING MONTH!
Thank You Officer Albright from the Allen Park Police Department
for visiting and reading to Mrs. Robertson’s 2nd grade class.
Why We Stride
Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event. Each year, more than 125,000 people participate in hundreds of walks across the country to support the Foundation’s mission to cure cystic fibrosis and raise awareness for this rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that makes it difficult to breathe.
The CF Foundation is leading the way in innovative research and drug development, promoting high-quality, individualized care and helping people with CF live better todays. Nearly every CF drug was made possible by the Foundation and because of funds raised from Great Strides, people with CF are living longer, healthier lives and pursuing their dreams. But still, the lives of people with this disease are still cut far too short.
Great Strides provides a fantastic opportunity for family, friends, students and colleagues to come together to help make a difference in the lives of people with CF.
Together, let’s LACE UP. WALK. CURE CYSTIC FIBROSIS.
~JOIN MY TEAM ~
I would like to invite you to join my team as a walker and help me raise even more money towards a cure for this devastating disease. Visit my personal page to find out how to join or to get involved as a volunteer. We will be at the Detroit Zoo and it is FREE ALL DAY! To enjoy the day at the Zoo, every participant MUST be Registered on a team or as an individual walker. Parking is free as well. The date of the walk at the Detroit Zoo is Sunday April 23rd. Our goal is to have our team raise $3000.00!
Sincerely
Evan Pledge CFer, Renee Pledge MOM, Scott Pledge DAD
“PLEDGE FOR CF”
APRIL 23, 2017
7:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION TIME
WALK/RUN 5K
Then Spend the Day
@
The DETROIT ZOO
With Parking Included!
There will be collection cups at school to collect change for a cure!!
Please feel free to donate starting March 7th
Every person, no matter the age MUST be registered online BEFORE the actual walk day!
Donations are online or to Ms. Pledge
All personal checks are to be made out to “Cystic Fibrosis Foundation”
(Donations at the event must be a cashier’s check or money order)
Please feel free to contact Renee Pledge, personally with any questions or go to
www.cff.org/GREATSTRIDES
Mrs. Robertson’s Classroom
We have been learning about measurement this week in math so we had a little fun and measured ourselves up to ” Honest Abe”. We made an exact measurement of him 6 ft 4 inches and then measured ourselves to see how we compared!
PHYS ED w/ Mrs. Bowdell
VOLLEYBALL SKILLS PRACTICE
w/Miss Soranno’s 5th Grade Students
Lunch ladies help students learn and grow
Annemarie MannionContact ReporterPioneer Press
At Butler Junior High in Oak Brook, lunch lady Kelly Masek prepares and serves food for about 70 students every day.
“She’s our cook. She orders the food and makes it,” said principal Amy Read. “On any given day she’s serving one-third of our 201 students.”
Deanna Palermo serves breakfast and lunch to between 80 and 90 students a day at Congress Park School in Brookfield, which is part of La Grange Elementary District 102.
Judy Mitchell, who works at Madison Elementary School in Hinsdale, is a lunch lady, too. She doesn’t cook or serve food. Instead, she keeps a watchful eye as children eat the lunches they bring from home. She also monitors as they shoot baskets, toss footballs and climb on playground equipment during recess.
Though their jobs are different, Mitchell and Masek and other lunch ladies serve a valuable role at their schools. They, and other support staff, contribute to the well-being of students and to the positive learning environment of the schools where they work, school officials agree.
Lunch ladies try to ensure that children eat nutritional meals. They also help see that they are ready in less tangible ways, including learning to play with others and building empathy and emotional resilience.
Lunch ladies often are on the first line of noticing if a child is not feeling well, not eating, being bullied or feeling bad because they did poorly on a test, said Cliff Karnes, department chairman in the educational leadership department at Eastern Illinois University.
“They may be the first person a child sees during the day. A positive word from them can change a child’s day,” Karnes said.
Lunch ladies, and other support staff from custodians to secretaries, help create a school environment that fosters learning.
“Their role is so critical,” Karnes said. “It takes so much to educate a child. They support the children. They build trust. It’s important to the overall climate of a (school building).”
That’s true for Palermo, who keeps an eye on her students’ needs as she serves them breakfast and lunch.
“If they’re raising their hand in line I go up to them. They may need to go to the bathroom or need help opening a milk carton,” Palermo said.
One of the students that Mitchell has bonded with at Madison is Naomi Cook, a fifth-grader from Hinsdale.
“They help us clean up,” Naomi said. “They tell us when to go to lunch. They help clear up any problems — if anyone is fighting. They help us divide into teams (at recess) and make it more fair.”
When a lunch lady notices that a child is having a problem, such as not eating or having some other trouble, principal Kim Rutan said they are encouraged to make other staff aware of the problem.
“The first line is to talk to the classroom teacher. If there’s a bigger problem, it’s brought to me,” she said.
The problem may be as simple as a first-grader not liking what their parents packed for lunch and the school can alert the parents, she said.
At Butler Junior High, Masek said she tries to accommodate students’ nutritional and emotional needs.
“I like working with the kids. At this age all they do is eat. Especially the boys. They’re always asking me ‘Do you have more bacon?’ I tell them ‘When everyone else has eaten.'”
Lunch and recess may look like a free for all, but it’s learning time, too, Rutan said.
“It’s the most unstructured time of the day,” she said. “It’s time for kids to be relaxed. But it’s also time where we’re teaching them how to get along with others, how to ask for help, or how to problem solve on their own or ask others for help.”
Not all lunch ladies are ladies. Jim Lucarelli of Burr Ridge retired as a custodian at Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge in February 2016. Within just a few days, he was back at the school volunteering as a lunch monitor.
“To tell the truth, I missed the kids,” he said. “I love them.”
In his gig, Lucarelli, also known as Mr. Jim, monitors the lunchroom.
“It’s more or less crowd control,” he said. “But the kids here are really good. I also pass out wet towelettes and make sure tables are clean for the next class.”
When he spies children who may be having trouble of any sort, from sitting alone to crying to not having money for lunch, he’s ready to help.
“If I see a kid without lunch I will buy it for them,” he said. “Even if there’s money in the office for that.”
Mitchell also intervenes when she see a child crying. She tries to console them while also helping them stay positive.
“I walk up and ask them why they’re crying,” she said. “If they tell me another student wouldn’t play with them, I tell them ‘Well maybe today is a day they don’t want to play with you. Try tomorrow.'”
At Butler Junior High, Masek shows her caring for students by baking special treats for holidays.
“In the week leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, they’ll have something green on their plate,” she said. “It won’t be veggies, but it will be green, even if it’s just green sprinkles.”
That caring is why many children remember lunch ladies and other support staff long after they’ve left school.
Lucarelli, for instance, went to 20 graduation parties last year. He’s been a sponsor for a student’s confirmation and attended Eagle Scout ceremonies.
Karnes said the role that lunch ladies and other support staff play in a school cannot be underestimated.
“Just because you don’t have a teacher’s license doesn’t mean you’re not a teacher in the school,” he said.