Lunch Super Heroes | A2Schools Podcast | Week of May 1, 2023

In this week's podcast, Dr. Swift and Andrew Cluley talk with Victoria Davis, Director of Dining Services.

With National School Lunch Heroes Day on Friday, May 5th,  we highlight the work that takes place in dining services. This includes efforts to make all students feel welcome with food they recognize and learn about food they may not have tried before, using local fresh food when possible, providing safe food for students with allergies, and including student choice on the menu. We also discuss the impacts of the decision to end the national program that was providing all students with free meals.

In AAPS good news we celebrate the Clague Science Olympiad team qualifying for the national tournament, and a Pioneer student will represent Team USA in the Special Olympics World Games in Germany.

Transcript

:05

Andrew Cluley

Welcome to the A2 Schools Podcast. I'm your host, Andrew Cluley, the Director of Communications here at the Ann Arbor Public Schools. I'm joined again today with our Superintendent, Dr. Swift. Thanks for being here.

:14

Jeanice Swift

Well, good afternoon, Andrew.

:17

Andrew Cluley

And we also have with us today Victoria Davis. She is the Director of Dining Services for the Ann Arbor Public Schools. So, thank you very much for joining us, Victoria.

:28

Victoria Davis

Hi. Thank you very much for having me.

:31

Andrew Cluley

And we thought, since, you may not be aware of this, but Friday, this Friday, May 5th, is National School Lunch Heroes Day. So, we decided that we'd bring in Victoria and we'd celebrate all the wonderful things that happens in dining services in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

:48

Jeanice Swift

And, you know, Andrew, I just love getting a head start on this very special day. It's one of my favorite days of all the recognitions we do throughout the year, because in, and the reason for that, all of our team members are awesome. But the reason I especially appreciate this day is I think so often our school nutrition team gets overlooked.

1:15

Jeanice Swift

It's the kind of thing that we assume for it to go well and when he doesn't, we give you a lot of attention, Victoria, but we forget often to say thank you. You know, I was partly raised by a Southern grandmother who's one way of expressing and communicating love was through the serving of food. And I feel like Victoria, it's such a special and sacred thing that you do, duty that you carry out every day is to serve and feed our children.

1:52

Victoria Davis

Thank you very much.

1:54

Andrew Cluley

And when we talk about heroes, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the effort that food services, teaming up with Durham Transportation and some other people, Liz Margolis, making sure that in the darkest days when the pandemic first hit and no one really was knowing what was going on, they made sure that families had food in Ann Arbor.

2:16

Jeanice Swift

That's right. You know, school was dismissed on that Friday and Victoria, you and your team worked through the weekend. Many members of our team and you were distributing food on Monday. And as I recall, more than 1 million meals distributed through those months of COVID, distributed right out of the driveways of our schools. And thank you for that tremendous effort.

2:46

Jeanice Swift

It will always be deeply ingrained in our memories, how you rose and your team rose during that time.

2:52

Victoria Davis

Thank you very much. It was a very important time for all of our community and for our staff to know that we could still make sure that our children and our community and families had food to eat.

3:05

Andrew Cluley

When you talk about your staff, those lunch superheroes. What makes someone, you know, well fit for your team?

3:14

Victoria Davis

Oh, number one, they have to love children and they need to have a passion for food. My passion for food comes from my grandmother also. And so, I do believe that food is a universal language. And we love to show all of our children of different cultures and different upbringings about different foods and then the foods that they also eat.

3:39

Victoria Davis

Introducing those into our program for other cultures to eat. So right now, we are actually doing tastings from around the world throughout the whole month of April and May. So, make sure that you go onto our website and check out the menu.

3:54

Jeanice Swift

I appreciate that, Victoria. You know, not long ago I had the great opportunity, which I love to hang out in a middle school cafeteria during lunch. In fact, I got to be there for all three lunches on that Friday and I was so delighted to see what a comfortable and happy place. Kids were very at ease going through the line and in getting to, you know, the vegetables and fruits and all the things that I would think that maybe they wouldn't enjoy so much.

4:29

Jeanice Swift

I really found it to be a place of comfort and celebration. There was a lot of love coming from the team in that cafeteria that day.

4:40

Victoria Davis

Wonderful. Yeah, we do love to stress that we buy fresh local produce whenever possible and buying local products. Today, my team and I actually went to a manufacturer right here about 20 minutes from here to look at their local foods that they will be providing for us for our summer feeding program this summer.

5:01

Jeanice Swift

That's wonderful. People often don't know that you really distribute and serve meals through throughout the entire year, and particularly during those critical summer months when many families might be food insecure, especially without that school lunch every day.

5:21

Victoria Davis

Yes. So, our heroes, our lunch heroes, they work all year round to provide food for our Ann Arbor families. And then we also partner with food gatherers as their food provider for all summer feeding programs.

5:34

Jeanice Swift

It's wonderful.

5:35

Andrew Cluley

It definitely, I know that popular culture, TV, movies often have an image of what a school cafeteria is like, and it's outdated it’s not what is going on in the Ann Arbor Public Schools right now. And I can say that for certain. Can you talk about some of the special events that you have throughout the year? You know, just to liven up the cafeteria and get the kids excited about what they're eating?

5:57

Victoria Davis

Sure. We're actually hosting a Discovery Kitchen tomorrow. We have been featuring different discovery kitchens throughout the year. A Discovery Kitchen is a tasting that we bring samples to the children and they taste them. Would they like to eat them on the menu? Would they not like to eat them? And then we've also done different tastings. That is called student choice, that they actually are voting on the menu items for the next month.

6:22

Victoria Davis

So, depending on the grade level, we try to make it very simple Tomorrow our tasting is more focused on different ways to make smoothies at home. If you don't have a blender or some kind of electronic device, how can you make it with just a whisk and a bowl? And so, we're teaching children tomorrow at Bryant Elementary.

6:41

Jeanice Swift

I wish I had time to go over there and get that lesson on smoothies. That sounds great.

6:48

Andrew Cluley

Yeah, it's exciting that not only are we giving them nutritious food right now, but we're also giving them a lesson, you know, that is in the cafeteria. But they're probably not thinking that they're in school per se, right at that moment, but they still are. And that's exciting.

7:04

Jeanice Swift

Wonderful.

7:06

Andrew Cluley

And I know that you also, as you mentioned, the exciting opportunities for students to vote on what you know, what the meals are going to be next month and what not. I'm sure that that sense of ownership is always an important thing for students. And providing it in the cafeteria is amazing.

7:25

Jeanice Swift

Student choice and voice. It's a great instructional strategy. And lunch is a classroom in that way.

7:33

Andrew Cluley

And can we talk a little bit about the nutritional aspect of food in that we're serving in our cafeteria and specifically when it ties into the making sure you're meeting the needs of students that maybe have allergies and whatnot that can't eat things.

7:50

Victoria Davis

Yes, we actually have a very extensive allergen program. We actually have a dietician on staff and we also have dietary interns that we hire from U of M and from Eastern Michigan University. Some of them come to us as an unpaid intern at the beginning and then they like it so well that once they graduate or in between classes, they work for us to make sure that our student meals are prepared safely.

8:17

Victoria Davis

We actually have one facility and that skyline that we only do our allergen meals out of they’re in a sealed container that we seal to make sure no other allergens could ever get into those meals. And then we ship them from there to each building out of our 32 buildings.

8:36

Andrew Cluley

It's just amazing. I know that during the peak of the COVID pandemic, when we first came back into in-person school and then through all of last year, free meals were covered for all students, part of the national program. That program, unfortunately, has gone away. What are we seeing in terms of the impact, having those free meals for all students versus how we've now gone back to students and families qualifying with certain income levels but not all students?

9:12

Victoria Davis

That's a great question, Andrew. Unfortunately, some families that have a hard time speaking English or reading English did not understand at the beginning of the year to fill out a free and reduced application because meals were free. And so, getting to those families and helping them get the resources that they needed so that their children knew that they could eat for free and some families that their children do qualify for free may not participate because they don't want to feel like they're different from their friends.

9:45

Victoria Davis

So, when it was universal, everyone ate and nobody knew what your status is. Not that anyone would technically know now, but I think it's the student’s perception that their friends may know, especially those middle schoolers have a hard time with being judged.

10:05

Jeanice Swift

There's a liberating effect in a cafeteria when everyone goes through. There's no worry about it. I just think it's a distinct difference in the experience of the child when that's not even a question. Everybody's welcome to go through the line and get what they want for food. You know, one of the one of the areas that I think a lot about as superintendent in addition to those that you mentioned, Victoria, who may have a language or a culture barrier, but we also think about that tier of families who may fall just above the qualifying level.

10:51

Jeanice Swift

And I know, as you know, I was in schools as a teacher and a principal for a little over 20 years. And I know I saw food insecurity. We see it every day in our schools. And many times it's that family who is struggling and may not be able to make that commitment, financial commitment for that school lunch, especially if there's more than one child in the family.

11:26

Jeanice Swift

And I know I have been, it's been shared with me by kids that, you know, my family can only afford to feed two of us at a time. And those are heartbreaking things to hear. And of course, we do everything we can. Victoria, I know you all do and we do to support those families, but we don't always know.

11:49

Jeanice Swift

And so, the thing about universal meals is that empowering and affirming impact on everyone who walks through that cafeteria door.

12:03

Andrew Cluley

Yeah, it definitely makes a difference. And I think we can see it in the classroom, even. The kid that is fidgeting and, you know, it's just, you know, there's something not quite right. And oftentimes that comes down to food.

12:16

Jeanice Swift

Yes, it does. And, you know, in my work, folks are often wanting to know, you know, what is the lever that we can pull to help with student mental health and well-being and behavior and achievement and what I know about universal meals at school is that it really is a rising tide that attends to all of those areas.

12:41

Jeanice Swift

Extending even into the home and the family of what a stressor off parents to know that that child has a breakfast and lunch provided at school every day and that with all that families have to think about now that's just one less thing to worry about.

13:04

Victoria Davis

Yes, that is so true. We want our students to always feel like no matter what, they can get a meal and that's one thing I am so proud to work for Ann Arbor Public Schools. We never, ever turn any child away. Every child, no matter where they are in life, will always be provided a meal and no questions asked.

13:25

Jeanice Swift

Thank you so much, Victoria. That means a great deal to our children and to this Ann Arbor community. I appreciate your leadership. You have always made that commitment and it is just so meaningful and powerful for children and for families.

13:42

Andrew Cluley

It truly makes them school lunch heroes.

13:44

Jeanice Swift

It does.

13:45

Andrew Cluley

So. Thank you.

13:46

Jeanice Swift

Thank you.

13:47

Victoria Davis

Thank you.

13:48

Andrew Cluley

So that's some good news about what's going on in the cafeterias, which brings us to the good news segment of the A2 Schools Podcast. And I'm actually, we're going to celebrate two achievements today because, you know, it's the spring of the year and all of a sudden, it's like all this stuff is wrapping up and we're getting lots of celebrations.

14:07

Andrew Cluley

So, we're going to start off with the Clague Cougars Science Olympiad team. They placed second at the Michigan State Science Olympiad Tournament, and with that, they earned their right to compete at the 39th annual national tournament taking place at Wichita State University May 19th and 20. So congratulations to Clague’s team.

14:28

Jeanice Swift

Yes, congratulations. I didn't mean to interrupt you, Andrew, but I feel so enthusiastic about this team. I got to hang out with some of these students not long ago. And guys, they are so impressive. They have a cool name too, that I can't say very well.

14:46

Andrew Cluley

Well, I think it's the Scioly these guys I know it's a combination of science and Olympiad. I don't know how they pronounce.

14:53

Janice K. Swift

It's a special language that they speak Andrew, that’s why.

14:56

Andrew Cluley

Exactly. And while we were congratulating our students, we also want to recognize and shout out congratulations to Lawrence Robuste. He is a Pioneer track athlete who is qualified to represent Team USA at the Special Olympics in Berlin, Germany. So, congratulations. He won, set the state records in the 100 and 200 meter races to qualify. So, an amazing job. And he is apparently just an amazingly talented runner, even though, I remember in the story, until he tried out for it, he didn't really I don't really want to run, then found out, Hey, I'm really good at running.

15:43

Jeanice Swift

So awesome. You know, there's a great video out. Andrew, I think from your team at AAPS News and I was so delighted to see Lawrence, and the huge achievement and we just send him all the best AAPS wishes and cheer him on as he heads out to Germany to compete. It's the world Special Olympics, isn't it?

16:10

Andrew Cluley

It happens only every other year, but he is qualified to do it, it's this summer. And there's a go fund me to help him on his journey to Germany.

16:21

Janice K. Swift

That’s wonderful, you know, they say at Pioneer. Be bold, be extraordinary, be a Pioneer. And it's clear Lawrence is doing that in this effort.

16:32

Andrew Cluley

That's right. Before we end this episode of the A2 Schools Podcast, I do want to get in a plug for our Listen and Learn Community Conversation. We've had several in-person events already. I know that we have one on Friday, May 5th. It's a brown bag lunch at noon at the Traverwood branch of the Ann Arbor District Library. Bring your own brown bag.

16:55

Jeanice Swift

On your own bag.

16:56

Andrew Cluley

Unfortunately, our lunch superheroes will not be in attendance at that to help you out, so you need.

17:02

Jeanice Swift

To keep busy at lunch.

17:03

Andrew Cluley

They are. And then we also have one scheduled on Monday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m. at the Malletts Creek branch of the Ann Arbor District Library. And as always, you can participate online at any time via the ThoughtExchange and to learn more about the in-person events and the ThoughtExchange and get the link to the ThoughtExchange, go to a2schools.org/ListenLearn, and we'll have the links in the show notes to get you there as well.

17:33

Jeanice Swift

I appreciate that Andrew, there'll be more dates emerging as well. So, if the dates we've announced don't work, just keep an eye out and we'll share more dates soon. I just want to give a shout out and big thanks to everyone who's come out. It is a very special thing to live in a community where our parents and our staff and our community members care enough about our schools that they come out and talk with us about how we can do better.

18:05

Jeanice Swift

And so, I just want to thank everyone who's taken their time to do that and look forward to seeing you out and about on the tour.

18:14

Andrew Cluley

All right. Well, I want to thank Victoria Davis for coming in and talking about the lunch program in the Ann Arbor Public Schools and all of those lunch superheroes. Congratulations. Thank you for the work you do across the year.

18:27

Janice K. Swift

Yes. Congratulations, superheroes and thank you, Victoria.

18:32

Victoria Davis

Thank you very much. Andrew and Dr. Swift for having me today.

18:36

Andrew Cluley

And Dr. Swift, thank you for being with us as well.

18:38

Jeanice Swift

Thank you.

18:40

Andrew Cluley

And thank you for listening to the A2 Schools Podcast. As always, if you have any questions about the Ann Arbor Public Schools, the first place to go is A2Schools.org, our website. If there's a topic that you'd like us to discuss on a future episode of the A2 Schools Podcast, please email me communications@A2Schools.org, with your suggestion. And thanks again for listening to this week's edition of the A2 Schools podcast.