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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Lab School aims for
better school lunchesQuestion: My daughter goes to the UH Lab School. I'm concerned because there's not enough lunch to satisfy the kids, and they're in school from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There's just enough for a kindergartner to eat. And the food is like frozen burritos or saimin -- nothing nutritious. I called the state Department of Education, and they said the University of Hawaii takes care of the lunches. I called UH, and they said it was handled by the DOE. I've complained to the school but no one does anything. My daughter would rather bring home lunch, but she qualifies for free lunch, so why should I make lunch for her? It should be tasty enough and filling enough for the kids. Can you look into this?
Answer: Although you believe no one has listened to your complaint, Principal Jane Burke says the school is taking steps to address concerns expressed about the lunch program.
"Sometimes people expect (change) just to happen, but it doesn't just happen," she said.
However, she emphasized that the lunches do meet federal standards. Because the school receives a subsidy from the federal government, it is monitored under the National School Lunch Program.
In fact, just before Christmas, auditors "spent a full day with us," looking at such things as the portions served, menus, as well as budgeting and paperwork, Burke said.
For example, regarding portions, "if you're going to serve green beans, you've got to measure out those green beans" to meet federal requirements, Burke explained. "And you do have to have a balanced meal ... with the starches and vegetables and the milk."
The audit concluded "we are in compliance" with federal standards, she said.
Still, she agreed, "we have some things we need to improve upon and work on. ... (We) also want to listen to concerns and take steps where we can do something a little bit different that would make (the lunches) a little bit better."
To that end, she said she has enlisted the aid of the student government to develop a student survey about the lunch program.
"Then we're going to sit down with our cafeteria manager and look and see what direction to go in," Burke said.
On a side note, the school is officially the Education Laboratory School, but Burke acknowledged, "We've been University Lab School for so long, it's hard not to say University Lab School."
Also, because of a lack of funds, the school has not gotten around to changing the school name on athletic uniforms, perhaps compounding the confusion. "But we'll get working on that," Burke said.
The 52-year-old school changed its name three years ago, when it became a charter school.
Mahalo
To a gentleman who helped me when my car stalled on Thursday, Jan. 29, in the middle lane of the Pali Highway. Everybody passed me by, including a police officer on a motorcycle. Along came this good Samaritan with a big heart, who helped me push my car into Akamu Place so I wouldn't block the traffic. I'm sorry I forgot to get his name. Mahalo also to my grandson for helping. -- No Name
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