THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512080197
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
ALTHOUGH SHE'S NOT raking in the big bucks at some fancy cafe or bistro, cafeteria manager Phyllis Fuller has the same goal as many of her colleagues: She works hard to keep her customers happy.
``We want to make our feeding plan a healthful one and keep the people coming back for more,'' Fuller said from her kitchen.
Whether it's customizing orders to fit individual needs or changing a whole menu for the sake of a group, Fuller's dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. Her ``restaurant'' - the Pembroke Elementary School cafeteria - was recently awarded a ``Best Practices Award'' by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Consumer Service.
``It kind of just happened,'' said Fuller, wearing a pin that read ``Children First'' on the collar of her plain white uniform. ``We just stated the facts about what we all do and we got it.
``It was nice.''
She and her staff of 10 were specifically cited for their accommodation of students with special dietary needs.
``The ladies and I just take special needs in stride,'' Fuller has said.
Pembroke is one of many schools in the city serving children with disabilities. The school houses seven classes designed for students with severe and profound disabilities, as well as classes for students with autism, learning disabilities, serious emotional disturbance, mental retardation and developmental delays.
``We have lots of food that has to be adjusted,'' Fuller said, referring to the nearly 150 children who have special needs that must be met daily - during breakfast and lunch.
These needs include food allergies and diabetes, and some of the students have to be tube-fed. Some items on the menu have to be substituted, while others must be pureed, liquified or blended.
Most of the requests come from parents, while some come from the students' physicians. Whatever the need, Fuller's answer is always the same.
``We try to serve them just what they ask for,'' she said. ``That's our job.''
Arthur Taylor III, the school's special education coordinator, said Fuller goes above and beyond the call of duty. ``Her responsibility is to feed the children of this school,'' he said. ``It doesn't matter what it takes - she does it.
``The really good thing about her, though, is she always does it with a smile.''
``She's a gift,'' added principal Nancy Rosenblatt. ``She's wonderful to our students and our staff. There isn't anything she can't do.
``We're really lucky.''
Making up customized plates for special children isn't all that's done in the cramped space that is packed with boxes and busy with activity. Fuller and her staff have made an effort to know children by name, and have even helped teachers with their weight-loss plans.
``Sometimes you wonder if you've gone too far,'' she said. ``But then I think . . . That's why we're here!''
Fuller has worked in cafeterias since 1972, when she got her first ``10 to 2 job'' at Kellam High School. She rotated around Kellam's kitchen before going into management - first at Thalia Elementary School and then John B. Dey Elementary.
Fuller signed on as Pembroke's cafeteria manager 11 years ago and has no plans to retire any time soon. The kids, parents and sisterhood bond she shares with her co-workers is what keeps Fuller in the kitchen - from the crack of dawn until the work is finished.
``I'll never quit here,'' she said, smiling. ``I don't think I'll quit food service as long as I'm able to work.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by HOLLY WESTER
Phyllis Fuller, left, manager of the Pembroke Elementary cafeteria,
and some of her staff - Addie Hickman, Janie Ballance and Emma
Rogers - do prep work in the school's cramped kitchen, which is
always packed with boxes and busy with activity.
Cafeteria worker Connie O'Neal purees green beans for the special
dietary needs of one of the school's special education students.
by CNB