All of the elementary schools in our city were built in the old days, back when kids went home for lunch; consequently, none of them have a cafeteria. Once kids started staying all day, they just had them eat at their desks (although they did manage to institute a hot lunch program). Last year, our new principal somehow figured out a way to transform the extra-wide hallway next to the gym (and kitchen area) into a makeshift cafe of sorts; they got tables with attached chairs that fold up and roll out the way, and happy murals were painted on the walls. The kindergartners still eat in their classrooms—they stay for lunch only twice a week anyhow—but now the big kids get to leave the room, and I think the whole thing has been a great success.
One thing that hasn't changed are the mean lunch ladies who supervise the kids so the teachers can get a break at lunchtime. From what the kids—and teachers!—say, each one is nastier than the next. I've complained; everyone's complained; there's not much that can be done because it's a lousy job and no one wants to do it except for these crotchety old ladies who still believe that school is all about sitting quietly with your hands in your lap. (And yes, they do get paid, although not much.)
So the one nice lunch lady retired, and yesterday Steph had her first day with the same mean one Pete's been complaining about all year. (He says she won't even let them whisper; if the do, she barks, "Just eat!" at them.) After Steph ate, she went up to Cruella (not her real name) and had this exchange:
Steph: I need to go up to the nurse to take a pill. (She does this every day.)
Cruella: Says who?
Steph: I need to have it after lunch.
Cruella: Says who?
Steph: My mom.
Cruella: Oh, OK.
(Steph starts to leave with her friend.)
Cruella (to friend): Where are you going?
Steph: I always take a friend with me. (This started in first grade, and no one has ever minded.)
Cruella: Don't you know the way?
Steph: Yes.
Cruella: Then go alone.
When she told me this story, Steph seemed annoyed but not too terribly upset; I, on the other hand, was livid. I just hate to think that she was made to feel in any way awkward about needing to take her pill. I think the fact that she mentioned it to me indicates that it bothered her. I fired off an e-mail to her teacher, who was horrified and immediately contacted the lunch supervisor, who called me. She took full responsibility, saying that she should have told Cruella that Steph always goes to the nurse, but she was short-handed and didn't remember to tell her. I said that that was all well and good, but it didn't excuse the rudeness. She didn't really argue that point or try to defend it; she reminded me that there are lots of kids who are not as nice and honest as Stephanie and that it's hard to keep fending off all these kids who try to fake having to go to the nurse or the bathroom. I told her I understood all of that but that it wouldn't have killed Cruella to just say, "Oh, really? No one told me that. Let me go check." Steph's teacher told me today that she had quite a few run-ins with Cruella last year and finally had to explain apologetically to the class that sometimes there are people in charge of them who really shouldn't be. Sheesh.
I feel so bad for Stephanie having to deal with that "mean lunch lady". I guess I should be very gld then, we have a WONDERFUL cafeteria lady - she is from Ireland and is young (in her 40's) and VERY funny, the kids all love her. She goes in to the younger kids classrooms at St. Pat's day and talks all about the "leprchauns". We do have 2 older women who help her, but they are actually pretty nice too!
Posted by: Kathy | April 14, 2005 at 05:26 PM