School Lunch Hero Day Celebrations Marked By Author Visit in Virginia
It’s not everyday an award-winning author and illustrator visits an elementary school to celebrate their cafeteria staff, but who better than Jarrett Krosoczka, creator of the popular LUNCH LADY graphic novels series to kick off School Lunch Hero Day!
On Thursday, May 3, second and third grade students from Fairfax County Public Schools honored their dedicated cafeteria staff as part of the nationwide School Lunch Hero Day events being held this week throughout the country. Jarrett visited Spring Hill Elementary School in McLean, VA, to help celebrate the hard work and dedication shown by the school’s beloved “lunch ladies.”
Students wrote poems and thank you cards, created colorful artwork and paper sculptures, which they hung throughout the cafeteria to show their appreciation for their school’s food service staff.
Thank you cards came in the shape of pizza, hamburgers and fries, tacos and even Yoda. Large posters were decorated to show a special thanks to cafeteria staff, who serve nearly 1,000 students per day.
Jarrett, who created School Lunch Hero Day in partnership with School Nutrition Association and Random House Children’s Books, hosted the event and shared the story of his childhood inspiration for the book – his very own school lunch hero. Bright balloons and gift bags filled with aprons, hats and other gifts emblazoned with the LUNCH LADY graphic were presented with love. Staff were more than pleased to break in their new School Lunch Hero garb during meal service time.
Also in attendance to help celebrate were Spring Hill Elementary School Principal Bill Olk and Fairfax County Foodservice Director Rodney Taylor. Districts and schools across the United States are celebrating School Lunch Hero Day on Friday, May 4. Visit School Lunch Hero Day for more information and fun ideas on how to celebrate these local cafeteria heroes!
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