09/01/2026
A student can look very different in the cafeteria than they do in class.
Cafeteria workers see students during a less structured part of the day. They notice routines, who comes through every day, and when something seems a little off. Sometimes all that leads to is a familiar hello or a little extra patience. Sometimes it gives another adult a useful piece of the picture.
We talk a lot about the adults who support students academically. The people serving lunch are watching, listening, and building relationships too. They belong in the conversation when we talk about the adults who make school work for students.
