Providence Schools
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Sodexo Joins First Lady Michelle Obama in National Fight Against Childhood Obesity
SODEXO V.P. HONORED BY PROFILES IN DIVERSITY
All of us are so very proud of Lorna Donatone, President of Sodexo’s Education Division, for being named “A Woman Worth Watching” by Profiles in Diversity magazine.
Lorna’s honor is the latest in a long line of recognitions of Sodexo’s unwavering commitment to diversity within our corporation and the communities we are honored to serve.
8th ANNUAL SODEXO SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED
For the eighth consecutive year, Sodexo Scholarships totaling $20,000 in 2010 will be awarded to the most deserving high school seniors in Providence.
In addition, Sodexo will provide $5000 in academic financial aid to Latino Dollars for Scholars, City Year of Rhode Island, the Urban League of Rhode Island, the Laotian Community Center, and Quisqueya in Action.
Since the Sodexo Scholarships program began, some of Rhode Island’s most deserving high school graduates have received more than $519,000 to apply to their college educations.
“These funds represent, in a sense, Sodexo’s ‘investment’ in the students of Providence public schools,” said Mark Jeffrey, District Manager. “We never get tired of reminding everyone that Sodexo did not come into our city, but rather came from Providence. When we help the children of this district, we are helping our children.”
The traditional Scholarship Banquet will be held at the Roger Williams Park Casino on May 26, 2010.
As this photo of 2009 Sodexo Scholarship recipients suggests, it will be an evening to remember for a lifetime!
2009 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION SCHEDULED FOR APRIL
Sodexo’s 10th annual Back to School fundraising dinner will be held On April 22, 2010 at the Roger Williams Park Casino. For a decade, Sodexo has solicited support from a wide array of sponsors who help defray the costs of school supplies.
Our guests are sure to enjoy a buffet dinner, entertainment, and raffles. And even though the celebration is less than two months away, you can still donate to this worthy effort. To do your part, please contact back2schoolri@gmail.com in care of Lordes Pichardo 401-301-5028.
Back to School Fundraising Preparations 2009
 SERVSAFE 2010
More than 50 Sodexo employees will either renew their participation or become first-time participants in the ServSafe certification process in February 2010.
ServSafe is a food safety training and certificate program administered by the National Restaurant Association. To earn certification, participants study for the exam or participate in lectures in various Food Safety topics periodically to earn certification. They are then eligible to apply to the Rhode Island Health Department for a Rhode Island Food Handler License.
All Kitchen Leads in Providence schools are licensed in this manner. This year we at Sodexo are making every effort to train more employees than ever in the ServSafe program.
Language barriers are not a hindrance for ServSafe participation; several Sodexo employees are being trained with Spanish language books and tests. Jorge Cardenas, Sodexo Community Service Manager, is acting mentor to these employees, and a study group managed by Sodexo Area Manager Peg Dowd, has formed to insure success!
In January 2010 Sodexo began an advanced training session for employee to learn how to be a cook and take charge of a school food service program. At the end of each session of Elementary, Middle and High School training, employees are tested for their overall knowledge of kitchen operations.
As of March 2010, all participants passed the program and are on a clear course for success to advance their careers. The management staff is excited to be able to participate in the mentoring of these employees, whose progress is very pleasing indeed.
 SODEXO SUPPORTS THE RHODE ISLAND FOODBANK
In early December 2009, Lori Richard, Operations Manager, Sodexo Providence Schools, and Ellen Shalvey, General Manger, of Woonsocket Public Schools presented two checks to the Rhode Island Food Bank. Lori presented the first installment of a multi-year grant for the Providence BackPacker Program. The first installment check for the $4500 grant from the Sodexo Foundation, was in the amount of $2000.
Ellen presented the Food Bank with a check for $5000 in support of the Community Kitchen, which provides culinary job training to low income or unemployed adults. The Community Kitchen also provides food to the Kids Café, which in turn supplies dinner meals after school to more than 500 children in Providence each day.
Please consider supporting the Rhode Island Food Bank. www.Rifoodbank.org
L to R: Lori Richard, Operations Manager Sodexo Providence Schools, Lisa Roth Blackman, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Rhode Island Food Bank, Ellen Shalvey, General Manager, Woonsocket Schools
UPDATES ON OUR CURRENT PROGRAMS
Fuel Up to Play breakfast promotion continues at Delsesto Middle School. The residual effects of this program should be lasting. To date, milk consumption has gone up and students seem to have a renewed appreciation for eating a well-rounded breakfast that includes milk. The next phase of the Fuel Up to Play program is the Physical Activity Challenge.
Breakfast Grab and Go has become an extremely popular method to increase breakfast participation in Providence secondary schools. Traditionally, breakfast programs battle the desire of students to gather outside when the weather is nice and thus skip breakfast. With Breakfast Grab and Go we hope to entice students to make it to breakfast without giving up on socialization with their friends. Also this handy method of breakfast delivery assists us with delivering food to students who may be tardy for class.
BackPackers The BackPacker program has grown to 123 participants as of February 2, 2010. This past holiday season Sodexo provided complete turkey dinners for 69 BackPacker families at Thanksgiving; and at Christmas the total rose to 103. Please consider supporting the BackPacker program by sending your donations to Sodexo, 25 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grants The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grants initiative continues to be a very popular program with children, teachers, staff, and school nurses. The program is in effect at 17 schools in Providence. Highlights include the introduction of kumquats, blood oranges, zucchini sticks, tropical fruits, broccoli, and cauliflower to students in Providence schools. The grant program will continue until funds are gone – and it is hoped that most schools will have enough funds to last until June!
This program is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture under Section 19 of the National School Lunch Act; federally appropriated Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program funds are available to State agencies. Selected low-income public and non-profit private elementary schools are reimbursed for produce served to school children outside of the lunch or breakfast food service periods. All participating schools must agree to serve fresh fruits and vegetables free to all enrolled children, and to publicize fresh fruit and vegetable availability within the school. State agencies may select low-income public and non-profit private elementary schools to participate.
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