Heather Haynes, food services manager at Sorgho Elementary School, has been named Kentucky’s 2019 Manager of the Year by the School Nutrition Association (SNA). She will be recognized at the annual Kentucky SNA conference in Louisville on June 19-21 and will receive a plaque and paid attendance to the SNA conference in St. Louis in July as she advances in competition for Southeast Region and national honors.
Haynes holds SNA certification in school nutrition.
The state-level award is based on four areas of criteria: Cafeteria environment, management and staff development, SNA involvement, and school and community involvement. Haynes excels in all four areas.
“Heather is a passionate professional who is dedicated to making the food service program at Sorgho Elementary School the best in the state,” said DCPS food services director Lisa Sims. “She leads a great team and has launched numerous creative initiatives with the goal of improving the health and well-being of the students, preparing them for the classroom. She is most deserving of this award!”
Principal Laura Cecil said Haynes and her staff are important members of the SES team. “Heather and her staff make lunch something to look forward to every day,” Cecil said. “They are constantly coming up with exciting themes in the cafeteria, like dance parties, and work to encourage kids to try new and healthy foods with special activities, such as ‘make your own pizza’ with vegetable toppings. Heather makes sure Sorgho’s café is unlike any other – and the kids love it!”
Haynes said the cafeteria and classrooms work together on behalf of children. “My number one goal has always been to ensure that our kids are leaving the cafeteria full and ready to continue with their day,” she said. “Without a full belly, the ability to learn is restricted. Kids can’t focus when they are hungry; they are more concerned about when they will get to eat again. So when they are able to go back to the classroom refueled, we know that we have done our part to help!”
Haynes’ contributions and ideas are not limited to the lunch room. “This year, our cafe started a school garden and a learning session called ‘Garden to Classrooms’ to help our kiddos better understand the value of nutritious foods,” she said. “The Cafe staff would go into classrooms with raw fruit or vegetable samples and educate the students on how that item started as a seed and made it to their trays during lunch. It was a fun way to educate the kids and they loved it! These little things help our kids to learn the importance of nutrition and it makes what we do even more special. Building relationships with our kids is the number one priority for us! Being one of the few people that have the opportunity to see almost every child, every day, makes you pay attention a little more. I love these kids!”
Haynes said this award reflects the districtwide commitment in DCPS in providing nutritious meals for students. “Every manager in our district walks into their cafeteria each morning ready to make a difference,” she said. “Being a part of the Sorgho family is a privilege for me. I love knowing that what I’m doing makes a difference, every day! To be named Manager of the Year for Kentucky is an absolute honor and there is no question it wouldn’t have happened without all of the kitchen staff at Sorgho! Knowing that my principal (Laura Cecil) and our food services director (Lisa Sims) trust me to explore ideas and adventures with the kids means a great deal to me. I’m thrilled to be able to represent Sorgho and DCPS.”
