October 12, 2022 -- National School Lunch Week is October 10-14, and Columbus City Schools is celebrating. Music can be heard in cafeterias around the District as food services staff members take time to groove. 

“To celebrate, we wanted them to come up with some kind of dance,” explained nutritionist Jeannine Marcum. “We want a sense of teamwork and community. We want them to experience joy in their jobs in little ways like this.”

Food services staff members have been working together to create fun dances that fit the week’s theme: Peace, Love, and School Lunch, a reference to the far-out 1960s. First, they decide which song to dance to and choreograph the movements. In some cases, they use props and wear decade-appropriate articles of clothing to get into the spirit.  

Food services staff member Carmen Collins-Moss had the chance to help choreograph the dance at Global Academy and North International High School. She said working with her team to create the dance was energizing. 

“It was fun to get our team together. It’s a lot of teamwork, and we felt like we brought some sunshine to our department,” Collins-Moss said.

Marcum said she’s enjoying watching the dances and is excited to see everyone having fun while they work.

“You can feel the energy and the excitement. There are a lot of positive vibes coming out of the room,” Marcum said.