Elementary school cafeteria opens to serve hot lunches

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Oscar Herrera, in Mrs. Silva's first grade class ponders whether to pick chocolate of regular milk for lunch on Tuesday. Progress photo by Faith Harper

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September 12, 2012

Elementary school cafeteria opens to serve hot lunches

Faith Harper Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Wed Sep 12, 2012, 08:26 AM CDT

JACKSONVILLE — Into the third week of school, students at Fred Douglass elementary school ate their first lunch served from the brand new cafeteria.

Over the summer, the old cafeteria was reconstructed for added classroom space and a new cafeteria and gymnasium were added to the east side of the building. The classrooms were complete by the first day of class, but students ate boxed lunches in the gymnasium while final touches of construction were completed. The gymnasium is estimated to have another two weeks before it opens to students.

Principal Dr. Amber Penn said the campus made a cafeteria in the old gym with tables, and structured activities the kids could go outside for physical education class.

“We were lucky with the weather,” Penn said. “It was in the 90s, so it wasn't too bad for August.”

Monday was the first lunch in the new and larger dining hall, and Penn said excitement was all over the children's faces.

“They have said this is beautiful, and nice and spacious,” she said.

The campus serves lunch to about 650 students daily. Penn said in the old cafeteria, lunch started being served at 10 a.m. so they could all be accommodated, but in the new facility, lunch runs two hours from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The dining area can fit 264 students currently, and there is extra space to add more tables.

Officials said the transition went smoothly.

“It couldn't have been any better than it has been,” said Superintendent Dr. Joe Wardell. “Parents and staff have been tremendous in working with us.”

Clay Carter, director of food service for the district, said members of the cafeteria staff teared up a little when they saw the new and expanded facilities. But, he said, the staff was a little apprehensive about working two serving lines versus the former area's one.

Carter said the apprehension did not last long, and members have told him the added space and two serving lines has made things quicker and easier.

“They love these kids so much,” he said. “I didn't matter we were going to serve them the best we could.”

The district rolled out two new campuses and renovations to two existing ones, and the majority of construction is complete.

Wardell said students at the high school will continue eating in their old cafeteria for another two to three weeks while a new one is completed. The former eating space is expected to be transformed to a band hall by the end of spring.

Joe Wright Elementary students are waiting completion of their gymnasium, and the old gym at Fred Douglass will be turned into a video conference area for staff development.

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Elementary school cafeteria opens to serve hot lunches

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