Long before the first bell even rings, school staff have already spent hours preparing the building for the big day ahead. By the time students line up in the cafeteria for their midday lunch, the meal team has spent the morning preparing tables and organizing food for hundreds of hungry kids. All see the trays and the food on the serving line, but the hours of preparation behind the scenes are often overlooked.
Kylie Olson, senior, believes that many kids look over how much the staff does for them behind the scenes. “For as long as I’ve been at school, I don’t even really remember any of them getting acknowledged for their work,” Olson said. For most students, interactions with workers last only a few seconds, long enough to scan an ID number for their food or a quick greeting in the hallway, but those swift moments can have a larger impact than most people would presume. “One morning, while I was in line for breakfast, one of the ladies complimented my outfit and wished me luck for an interview I had,” Olson said. “She said I always had cute outfits. It really made my day.”
As small as these gestures are, they remind people how much the crew cares, and they aren’t simply going through the motions. From remembering students’ names and asking about their families, to checking in when they notice someone seems down, the staff sees these brief encounters as moments of impact.
Molly Pierson, the school’s food service director for four years, said the connections are what make her job meaningful. “We have found that small interactions actually do make some students feel safe enough to come talk to us about other things they have going on, which really makes our day.”
The work doesn’t stop with the serving line for the lunch crew; they have to balance not just the deliveries and inventory for the high school, but also provide meals for the many kids at Parkview Elementary. Keeping everything running smoothly requires much more teamwork and patience than most people realize. “Most of the time, we only hear from students when something isn’t right,” Pierson said. “But any feedback is better than none. We want to hear from you guys and know what you think.”
All the staff at the high school make a difference in students’ days; janitors, office crew, maintenance workers, and teachers all play a key role in keeping everything running smoothly and providing a warm atmosphere. Often, people walk past workers without stopping to think or appreciate how much work they’re doing. Whether it’s janitors making sure classrooms and bathrooms are safe and clean, or office staff helping those in need navigate schedules. Although their work can be quiet and often go unnoticed, these employees form connections with students through small acts of care, a friendly greeting in the hallway, or a quick acknowledgement, which can go a long way.
Even with the hefty hours and demanding pace, the school’s staff members’ dedication won’t go unnoticed by those who take the time to look. “We don’t do this for recognition,” Pierson said. “We do it because we want the best for the kids, and if we can make even just one student’s day better, that’s the impact we aim for.”
