Lunch Duty Information

Q. How do I sign up for Lunch Duty?

Please click on the button below to review the available slots below and click on the button for the shift desired to sign up.

 

Thank you so much for volunteering your time to serve our school, students, and administration in this way.  

 

Q. Why do we do lunch duty?

In order to serve a hot lunch, we must have volunteers to help serve the students. The caterers/restaurants who are our food vendors do not provide staff to serve food. This allows us to keep down the costs of food.

The administrative and custodial staff have very busy days in other areas and are unable to fill this need regularly. Volunteers allow the school to keep paid positions working in the best way for the function of the school and keep labor costs low.

It is a truly wonderful way for parents and other family members to be a part of the school community, meet other FCS community members, and gain insight into your child(ren)’s day.

 

Q. When do we serve?

Monday through Friday 10:45 AM - 1:00 PM. This is divided into two half shifts for those that NEED that option.  If you are able, please volunteer for a full shift (two half shifts). Each day, three volunteers are needed.

 

Lunch schedule

• 10:45-11:00 Cleaning, receiving vendors and preparing for first shift
• 11:00-11:30 JK-2^nd grade lunch
• 11:30-11:35 Clean-up
• 11:35-12:05 M/US lunch
• 12:05-12:15 Clean-up
• 12:15-12:45 3^rd-5^th grade lunch
• 12:45-1:00 Clean-up

 

Lunch Duty 101

Upon arrival, sign in at the front desk with Mrs. Moslow, get a name tag and, if you are first to arrive for the shift, a walkie-talkie.

Before Students Arrive

1. Fill sink with hot soapy water
2. Spray and wipe all tables and allow them to air dry
3. Receive and inventory food from vendors
4. Set out trays for students to carry food
5. Stock and put on Red “Lunch Warrior” Apron (napkins, forks, spoons, and scissors)
6. On pizza day, set out ice cream for lower school lunches
7. Set out trash cans

During Student Lunch

• Two (2) volunteers distribute food (while wearing plastic gloves) according to the list provided by the teachers
• One (1) volunteer helps students as needed and helps gather the red trays
• After lunches have been distributed, return ice cream to the freezer (if applicable) and follow procedure to keep food warm (based on vendor for the day).  One volunteer cleans trays and stacks to air dry while the other two help with students’ needs.
• During the last 5-7 minutes of the lower school lunch period, carry trash cans around to each student to collect trash. Please instruct students not to throw food away if it can be taken home (i.e. take home half eaten sandwiches, toss yogurt cups).
• Please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer as frequently as possible between touching students’ food and trash.

Between And After Lunch Periods

1. Wipe all tables with disinfectant cleaning spray and allow to air dry.
2. Spot clean chairs as needed.
3. Sweep floors using small brooms under tables and large brooms between aisles. Note:  Volunteers do NOT need to sweep after the final lunch period. Custodial staff will do this.
4. Empty trash containers as needed by tying up clear bags and replacing them with a new one. The trash bag goes in a larger trash can.
5. Set out red trays for 3-5^th grade use (after M/US students have been served).

After Lunch Volunteer Service

1. Empty sink, wring out rags, and hang rags over the sink to dry. Return red trays to the cabinet.
2. Return aprons and all lunch supplies to the blue tote. Return trash cans to their original locations
3. Take lunch order forms to Mrs. Smith.
4. Return name tag and walkie talkie to front office.
5. Sign out before leaving.
6. If you have any questions or concerns call/text/email Katy Eng (540-798-9396 or lunchduty@fcsva.com).

 

FAQs

Q. What if I need to switch the lunch duty day I have signed up for?

If it is more than a week before the day for which you have volunteered, simply remove yourself from the Sign-Up Genius. If it is less than a week, please try to find a replacement or use the Swap feature on Sign-Up Genius. If you do not use the swap feature, make sure to remove yourself and have your replacement sign up instead. If something comes up the day of, contact Mrs. Moslow and Katy Eng.

Q. Where do Middle & Upper School students eat lunch?

Weather permitting, M&US will eat outside every day. Students who have ordered a hot lunch will collect their lunch and take it outside.

Q. What does the music mean during the Lower School lunch period?

If the music is on, that means it is “silent time.” This occurs for the first 10 minutes and the last 3-5 minutes of each lunch time so that the students may concentrate on eating their lunch and cleaning up at the end of lunch. The transition to the end-of-lunch silent-time is signaled by the teacher on duty raising her hand. All students and volunteers also raise their hand to help get the attention of all in the room.

Q. How do I know if a student needs help?

Students will raise their hands when they need help or have a question.

Q. What do I do if discipline issues arise?

The teacher on duty will address any discipline issues. If they have not witnessed what you are seeing you may make them aware. During JK-2 the teacher on duty will be Mrs. French or Ms. Sowder. Mrs. Ridge will be in the great room during the M/US lunch distribution time. During 3-5^th grade lunch, Nurse Baggett will be in the Great Room.

Q. May Lower School students use the microwave or may I microwave things for them?

No. The microwaves are a privilege reserved for the teachers/staff and M/US students.

Q. What if a Lower School student asks to use the restroom?

Ask the teacher on duty to handle that request—they will know better how to handle that.

Q. What if a student needs more water?

You may use the sink to refill their water bottle.

Q. What if a student forgot something in their classroom and requests to get it?

Direct the request to a teacher for their approval.

Q. What if I need to talk to my child’s teacher—is this a good time to have a discussion with them?

If the needed conversation is more involved than a second or two it is best to pre-schedule a time to talk with the teacher. Teachers plan their days with this lunch period in mind for grading, administrative activities, or a little down time.

Q. My child(ren) are in half-day JK, can I still volunteer for the full lunch? 

Yes.  Inform the JK teacher that your child will be staying until the end of lunch on the particular day you are volunteering.

Q. I need to leave at 12:50 to pick-up my child or for an appointment.  Can I still volunteer for the full lunch shift? 

Yes.  With three volunteers lunch duty should end a few minutes before 1:00.  If you need to leave at 12:50 the other volunteers should still be able to finish by 1:00.

Lastly, there is some less busy time during the lunch shift but also some VERY busy times.  Please work quickly when it is required and don’t allow socializing to overshadow the work that needs done.