Working with Student Helpers

Objectives

• Recruiting student helpers• Effective communication • Prepping student helpers• Kitchen Safety• Not-So-Helpful Helpers• How to reward student help

Purpose Students assisting in the cafeteria provide a valuable community service to their school and to fellow students.

K-5 Grades 4-5 in fall Grades 3-4 in spring

K-8 Grades 4-8 in fall Grades 3-7 in spring

History Portland Public School students have provided community service assistance in the cafeteria for decades.

PPS Administrative Directive 3.60.020-AD Responsibility For Operation

History: Adpt. 1/74; Amd. 10/83 ed; Amd. 8/94 ed; Amd. 9/01/02

Benefits *Student helpers provide extra hands to speed up the lunch service giving other students more time to sit and eat their lunches. *Students learn important life lessons about hand washing, safe food handling and providing great customer service. *Student helpers create a welcoming atmosphere in the serving line. *Student helpers support sustainability and resource conservation goals by helping with recycling, reduction of waste and tray washing.

Optional Students receive class credit for performing Cafeteria Community Service/recycling. Student’s cafeteria assignment is used as a reward for good behavior.

Recognition Cafeteria Community Service excellence may be recognized and appreciated via certificates or school assemblies.

Best Practices Schedules for students providing community service are designed so that students do not miss more than 5 minutes of instructional time due to early dismissal prior to lunch or recess. Send student helpers down 5 minutes prior to their lunch. Helpers will work through their own lunch and eat when lunch service for their grade is completed. Helpers will return to class on schedule.

Only the minimum required number of students are helping in kitchen/cafeteria: 2-3 students serving hot foods 1-2 students helping at the Salad Bar and/or condiment table 1-2 students serving milk

Follow set schedule rotating classes by teachers for weekly student workers.

Quick Reference Guide for Student Helpers in Cafeteria

Recruiting Student Help

• Make Connections– Talk to the office staff

• Offer to speak at a beginning of the school year meeting to staff

– Talk to teachers• Ask about community service hours

– Talk to students• They may prefer to help out at serving rather than

going to recess• Rewards!

Effective Communication

• Treat them how you would like to be treated

• Lay out the ground rules– Carefully explain what is expected– Check to see that they understand

instructions• Be patient

– Newer helpers may take time to learn

• Be careful of what might be considered “inappropriate” contact with students

Safety in the Kitchen

A safe kitchen is a happy kitchen• Ensure knives are in a safe area• Only adults can take items out of the

warmer and ovens• Do not allow students to carry full

milk crates– Use dollies

• Report all accidents to Risk Management– Student helpers are people too

Prepping Student Workers

• Be organized– Students should be there 5 minutes before service– Have aprons and gloves set out– Collect cards– Sleeves up, hair back– Make sure they wash their hands

• “Surgery hands” after gloves are on

• Have a plan for the help– Pre-assigned (draw cards or randomly assign them)– Rotate positions if there for longer time

• Set up risers for smaller helpers– No white stools

Food Safety

• Demo how to sneeze or cough into arm/elbow• Keep hands to themselves

If students have a break between service times:• Have them re-wash hands• New gloves and aprons after eating, washing

tables, and/ or bathroom break• Set half eaten food away from service line

and prepped food

Training

• Inform students about the options– What is “special” about it– Tell this to customers– Keep food comments positive

• Everyone has different tastes

• Demo how to portion foods• Demo how to serve food

– “Placing” vs “Throwing”

• Demo SAM

Make it FUN!

• Have a team cheer before starting service• Have students compete on who can “sell”

more– Give them the chance for a re-match

• On special days offer opportunity to wear special clothing– Dr. Seuss Hat– Breakfast Cape

• Remind them each task is important

Bad Apples

If a student is difficult- let them go• Do not tolerate:

– Bad language– Put downs– Throwing food– Poor food safety– Stealing

• Let their teacher/principal know about the situation– Decide if they will be allowed back

Rewarding Help

• Hold their choice of entrée for them– Do not offer “extras” or “seconds”

• Say “Thank You”• Offer non-food prizes

– Highlight student help– Praise them when they go above and

beyond

• Invite them back