Good afternoon,
I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and highlight some coming changes to the Food Service Department at SCASD that will be implemented soon.
My name is John Rosselli and I am thrilled to be the next food service director for this wonderful district. I spent the last ten years at Midd-West School district and aim to bring the same level of service to this community. My goals are many in coming here, but first and foremost will be to continue the success of the program that was established by my predecessor, Kathy Holleran. As the remainder of this school year goes on, the rest of my objectives and influences will be implemented. We have a staffing shortage at the current time so the timing and speed of these implementations will be in lockstep with the ability to hire more staff. Ideally, I would love to have them implemented immediately, but due to the staffing, a more methodical approach will be taken.
As you likely have seen, the menu composition is going to be different. I believe in being clear with menu choices and offerings, so you will see a daily offering that will be offered unless circumstances warrant change. We will do our best to communicate these changes to allow for adequate adjustment by staff, students, and families.
Within the next few weeks, students will have options at the serving line. We will begin offering daily alternate meals which will be communicated as they come into practice. This process will not take place on February 1, but rather in the latter part of the month as some logistics need sorted out first. At all grade levels, choice is important, and it is one of my goals to give that variety to all students. We will begin serving multiple varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as eventually side salads and premade chef salads. This again will be implemented methodically to allow for staff and student adjustment.
I have a long list of ideas and practices that I believe will not tear down what is in place, but rather augment and grow an already successful program. My main objective is to provide a service to the students, staff, and families of SCASD, but to have that service be something they are excited about and that they can be proud of. So far, the community and administration and school board have been extremely welcoming to not only myself, but also to the ideas that I have shared. As the first few weeks of this month go by, the initial changes will be seen, but in the short term, I felt it prudent to establish what the published menu would look like moving forward. While this may have caused some confusion about timing, I will ask only for patience. These ideas are coming sooner rather than later, but again February 1 may be too ambitious. We in the food service department will work to make them quick and easy, but also acknowledge that there are going to be some kinks to iron out.
In closing I am very excited to get to work and serve you all. Thank you for your time reading this wordy post. If ever you have questions, please feel free to reach out to me via email at jrosselli@scasd.us or call 570-356-3457. Thank you and have a great day!
John Rosselli
Food Service Director
Southern Columbia Area School District