Why School Nutrition Professionals are Heroes!

You’re Heroes Because You… Comply with complicated regulations and nutrition standards Navigate student allergies Find new ways to get kids to try fruits and vegetables Offer service with a smile in the lunchroom Make a difference in your students’ lives everyday!

To Honor Your Hard Work, Let’s Celebrate! School Lunch Hero Day May 4, 2018

The Basics SNA partnered with Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the “Lunch Lady” series, to launch School Lunch Hero Day Held annually in May, this is a special day of celebration for school nutrition employees working in the cafeteria Cafeteria managers and employees are honored with cards, gifts, thank-yous, etc. Held annually in May, School Lunch Hero Day is a special day of celebration to honor the professionals working in school cafeterias. SN directors, students, parents, administrators, and school staff members are encouraged to take a moment to thank their cafeteria employees for their hard work.

“The Lunch Lady” Series The “Lunch Lady” comic series is extremely popular with kids nationwide. In these stories, the Lunch Lady character is a crime-fighting superhero who is revered and admired by her students! SNA understands and appreciates that some members believe the “lunch lady” term perpetuates negative stereotypes of school nutrition professionals. But this popular series was actually inspired by the kindness of Jarrett’s own school cafeteria staff and the “lunch lady” term is used with love and respect. This day is meant to bring attention to challenges school nutrition professionals face, and the enthusiasm they bring to the job.

SNA Members’ Celebrations In May 2017, SNA members from across the country celebrated School Lunch Hero Day in their cafeterias! Let’s take a quick look and how SNA members celebrated School Lunch Hero Day in their districts in May 2016.

Haywood County Schools Cape Brigade Georgia Grown Houston ISD Capes galore with members from all over the country celebrating with capes, headbands and more! NYSNA Haywood County Schools

Northshore SD, Washington State Great Props AKSNA, Alaska Great props to accompany those capes Northshore SD, Washington State

Creative Cayuga Heights Fun bulletin board artwork Gates Chili, NY SD

Check out these costumes! Pittsburg Public Schools Bel Air, MD An array of themes from Wonder Woman, other action heroes to tie-die aprons Carrollton City Schools

Proud School Lunch Heroes Proud School Lunch Heroes (with their "Lunch Lady" comics!) at West Louisville Elementary School in KY West Louisville Elementary School, KY

Having Fun with Students Students embraced the theme, many using props Urbandale Schools, Iowa Shoshone SD, Idaho

Made with Love CY-Fair Nutrition Marshall county Center Cafeteria employees were honored with gifts, cards, and flowers from school staff and students too. Above highlights a few handmade items from students CY-Fair Nutrition Marshall county Center Deep Wood RR ISD

Student Helpers Schools Without Walls Washington, DC Students from Schools Without Walls in Washington dc rolled up their sleeves to help out their lunch ladies! Schools Without Walls Washington, DC

School Lunch Hero Day recap from Jarrett J. Krosoczka Video Montage Jarrett created a video montage of the day. It’s only a fraction of the celebrations but offers a quick snapshot of how widely celebrated this day is for all . School Lunch Hero Day recap from Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Save the Date! School Lunch Hero Day: May 4, 2018 Save the date!

So, What’s Next? Visit www.schoolnutrition.org/slhd for celebration and gift ideas, PR resources, and many more tools Start spreading the word to teachers/administrators, parents, your local media, and more

Remember… You work hard all year long and have a very important job – feeding our nation’s kids. Take a moment to congratulate yourself, thank your co-workers or employees, and celebrate! Thank you for all that you do!

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