THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603220239
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
It has been about 30 years since Dave Brock worked in a fast-food restaurant, making sure the burgers didn't burn and that the trash bins weren't leaking ketchup.
But the new technology-education teacher at Oscar F. Smith Middle School recently returned to the grill when he and other teachers and administrators from Oscar F. Smith and Thurgood Marshall Elementary School became part of a fund-raising project with the McDonald's restaurant on 22nd Street in Chesapeake.
One night a week, four to six school staffers work a three-hour shift and take 10 percent of that shift's proceeds back to the schools for extra books and supplies. The program, which started in January, is modeled after other corporate fund-raising programs and allow Oscar F. Smith and Thurgood Marshall to work alternate months, every Tuesday and Wednesday night, 4 to 7 p.m.
``I think this is a fantastic thing,'' said Brock on a recent Tuesday evening, while wiping the restaurant's front counter.
``I think it's wonderful when a businessperson reaches out and offers what he has offered us. It's great.''
But the teachers say that the biggest profit isn't the 10 percent, but the opportunity to meet parents and students in a more relaxed atmosphere.
``It allows the kids to see us in a different light than in the classroom,'' said Grace Hopkins, Oscar F. Smith's assistant principal, who has become known as ``The McDonald's Lady'' among her students.
``A lot of parents are afraid to come into our schools. Many of them had not-so-pleasant school experiences and to ask them to come into school is a lot.
``We don't have parent-teacher conferences (at McDonalds), but we can talk with them.''
The South Norfolk restaurant also has become an off-shoot of the schools. Oscar F. Smith's honor rolls hang along the walls and Thurgood Marshall banners decorate the doorways.
During February, pictures were taken of the Thurgood Marshall students and parents who stopped by and the pictures were displayed at the school.
``To me it's just been wonderful,'' said Kathy Mangum, who teaches first-grade at Thurgood Marshall.
``At school, the students are excited, `I saw you at McDonald's last night! I ate dinner with you last night.' It's been great.''
James Walls, who owns the restaurant, has worked with the schools in the past, offering coupons to students with perfect attendance.
But he wanted to do more.
``I saw this program as a way to help the schools raise money,'' Walls said.
``And it has worked out really well. The teachers are fast learners.''
Teachers and administrators were asked to report at 4 p.m. sharp on their first day for on-the-job training. Melding with the regular crew was easier for those with some earlier cashier experience.
But some folks, like Hopkins, were super-sizing value meals for the first time.
``You get a real appreciation for the work, I tell you,'' Hopkins said.
There are little tricks like splitting a bag of fries among four baskets to make sure each bin gets a good mix of small, medium and long fries. Once done, salting the fries in a ``M'' shape ensures a proper dusting.
The box, the metal bin which holds the sandwiches, runs by a well-watched clock, Brock learned. Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, Filet-O-Fish sandwiches can only stay in the box for a few minutes before the ketchup and special sauce begin to dry.
``They have it down to a science. They're rotated out before they dry or they're moved to the back,'' said Brock.
``They know exactly when the buns will begin to dry out. I was impressed by the quality controls they have here.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MORT FRYMAN
Teacher Rita Lopane talks with one of her students, Waynetta
Johnson, who dropped by to talk and eat.
Teacher Jacque Kifus-Tate takes a food order.
by CNB