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Pilot 'lunchroom ambassadors' program gives older students leadership roles and eases cafeteria management
Summary
A Title I teacher described a December pilot that pairs older students with K–4 tables to assist with utensils, milk, coats and calm behavior; the board heard positive reports from staff and two student ambassadors who said the program made lunch calmer and gave them responsibility.
Allison Nichols, a Title I educator who launched a lunchroom ambassador pilot in December, told the board the idea is to give older students defined responsibilities to support younger children during the midday meal. The trial assigned fourth graders to K–1 tables and asked volunteers to help with small tasks—handing out straws, opening milks, helping zip coats—and to model calm, respectful behavior.
Nichols said roughly 40 students signed up to be ambassadors and that staff reported calmer lunches and positive feedback from teachers. Two student ambassadors—Evie Downs and Julia Moa—told the board they enjoyed the responsibility, had new opportunities to help younger students, and found some challenges when younger children jostled for seats.
Board members asked about selection and sustainability; Nichols said selections were voluntary, ambassadors sometimes substituted when peers were absent, and she used small rewards to recognize participation. Several members suggested piloting the program at other schools.
What happens next: the board agreed to 'look into' expanding the pilot and the administration will consider logistics for wider implementation and staffing adjustments if other schools adopt the model.
