Juan’s First Lunch
It is Juan’s first day at Alcoa Elementary School. It is lunch time. Juan is hungry. He did not finish eating his breakfast this morning, because he was nervous about starting a new school. Juan walks together with his class to the cafeteria. The cafeteria is where everyone eats meals. It has long rows of tables and chairs. The cafeteria is decorated for Thanksgiving. The cafeteria manager Ms. Kay and her team decorate the cafeteria each holiday. The cafeteria is decorated with pumpkins, fall leaves and pictures of Indians and pilgrims. Juan likes the decorations. Now, it is time for Juan to select his lunch and place what he wants on a tray. Outside the serving line is a large menu. The menu lists the food prepared for students each day.
First, Juan selects a beverage, 1% milk. Next Juan enters the serving line. He sees a brightly colored sign explaining how to make healthy choices and a “complete” meal. A complete meal has healthy food needed for energy and nutrition. If someone were to select only French fries, they would not be have a “complete” meal. Juan tries to follow the suggestions from the sign. Food service workers stand behind the serving line in the kitchen where the food is prepared.
Ms. Lori asks Juan which entrée he would like. Juan chooses homemade lasagna. Ms. Karen asks Juan if he would like green beans. Juan asks what ingredients are in the green beans. Ms. Karen explains to Juan that the green beans recipe includes carrots, celery, and onions. This is called a “mirepoix.” It adds flavor to the green beans. Juan decides to try it. Ms. Nicole asks Juan if he would like a salad. Juan says “Yes, please.” The salad looks good. It has different colors of lettuce. Juan saw a food service worker, Ms. Sherry, earlier that day. Ms. Sherry was picking the fresh lettuce from the student garden. Juan would like to help in the garden. Ms. Dorothy asks Juan if he would like garlic bread. Juan says “Yes, please.” Juan completes his lunch with fresh cucumbers for his salad and a tray of grapes. Grapes are his favorite fruit.
Juan is ready to eat, however, he must pay for his food. Ms. Brenda shows Juan how to type his number into the key pad to enter his student information. Now, he can join his classmates at the table. Juan is making new friends while enjoying his lunch. When he is finished eating, his cleans up. Juan takes his tray to the trash can to clear off any waste. He then places his tray where it can be cleaned and re-used. Mr. Richard is impressed with Juan. “Thank you for cleaning Juan,” says Mr. Richard. “Did you like the cafeteria? Was your lunch good?” he adds. Juan says “Yes, it is a very big cafeteria, but everyone was helpful. The food was good. And, I liked talking to my friends.” It was a good lunch, and a good start to his time at Alcoa Elementary School.