The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
FOR ALL YOU DO, WE THANK YOU
Group provides lunch as appreciation for teachers at elementary school
Teachers and support staff at Hawthorne Elementary School had a lunchtime visit from a local group that wanted to say thank you for their hard work.
Teacher Appreciation Week began May 3 and the Buckeye Chapter No. 46 Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation of Lorain came out with Steel Magnolia, the Oberlin food truck, with free meals for educators at the school at 610 W. 20th St. in Lorain.
After dealing with difficult conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it was a well-earned treat, organizers said.
“Over the past few years, Buckeye Chapter has performed several outreaches for the youth in our community,” said Leni Washington, worthy matron of the organization. “However, we realized that this past year has been exceptionally challenging for the teachers, especially in regards to having to adapt their lesson plans to accommodate both virtual and in-person instruction.
“In honor of the sacrifices these educators had to make to ensure the continued success of their students, Buckeye Chapter has decided to treat the teachers and staff of Hawthorne Elementary to lunch.”
"It’s wonderful to see the kids. The kids are happy, the teachers are happy, we’re happy to have them." — Principal Stephanie Alexander-Johnson
Washington went to the school with Buckeye Chapter members Lorali CookCheers, Barbara Moore and Timothy Blakely Sr.
They delivered water bottles, key chains and candy as tokens of appreciation to the staff.
Principal Stephanie Alexander-Johnson picked tickets of four raffle winners who received extra prize bags.
“Teachers are in good spirits,” Alexander-Johnson said.
Having in-person classes four days a week, has drawn more students back to their classrooms, she said.
There are about 220 students having classes in person.
“It’s wonderful to see the kids,” Alexander-Johnson said. “The kids are happy, the teachers are happy, we’re happy to have them.
“A lot of learning is going on.”
Shontae Jackson, executive chef, and her mother, Sarah Jackson, prepared lunches of jerk chicken, chipotle chicken, pulled pork or vegetables. The meals included soft drinks or water, with chocolate chip or sugar cookies for dessert.
Washington, Shontae Jackson and AlexanderJohnson all are members of area chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star, so they posed for a photo together after lunch.
Ideally, the Buckeye Chapter members said they wish they could provide a lunch for every Lorain teacher.
That was not financially feasible, but they selected Hawthorne Elementary due to its proximity to the Harrison Cultural Community Center, 1922 Hamilton Ave.
The Cultural Community Center serves as the Buckeye Chapter’s meeting location.