Everyone everywhere loves lunch. But at Valley School, the lunch experience far surpasses the average school’s midday refection. In fact, at Valley School, lunch is such an eagerly anticipated part of the day that many children, as they walk from their bus to their classroom each morning, make a habitual detour to the dining room to check the menu board, squeal with excitement in anticipation of the meal they’ll receive later that day, and greet the kitchen staff. THE KIND OF ENTHUSIASM that surrounds a Valley School lunch doesn’t occur spontaneously. It is the product of thoughtful consideration, assiduous planning, a conscious evolution of philosophy, and expert execution. It is Sharon Snyder, Director of Food Services, who has been responsible for the squeals of excitement since 2001. When she started here, Mrs. Snyder knew she wanted to do something unique with the meal program, and Valley School was ready to expand and enhance the students’ dining experience. Over the years, Mrs. Snyder has worked to transform the food services program. Having come from Latrobe Hospital, where she had worked as Supervisor of Food and Nutrition Services, she was full of ideas for wholesome, homecooked meals containing local and organic ingredients. She cultivated relationships with regional farmers, vendors, and food providers in order to obtain the freshest and highestquality meats, vegetables, and fruits. As a result of her efforts, Valley School students are treated to local organic chicken, eggs, and grass-fed beef. Whenever possible, the ever-changing array of salad bar offerings are organic, too. This year, Mrs. Snyder was able to start providing organic milk. She goes the extra mile to be sure foods are prepared as healthfully as possible, too. Most sauces, salad dressings, and marinades are homemade. No foods are deep-fried, ever. The children, faculty, and staff have their clear favorites. Pepperoni rolls and Texas sheet cake receive the most enthusiastic responses. Ask anyone at Valley School if there’s a better homemade ranch dressing anywhere; the answer will be a resounding, “no way!” In fact, it has happened
more than once that a Lower School student has had to be reminded gently that ranch dressing and croutons do not, on their own, really make a salad. Although food is the most obvious factor in any dining experience, every true epicurean knows that what goes in your mouth is just the beginning of what makes a meal special. Eating is about people enjoying time together. That’s something Mrs. Snyder understands on every level. She explains, “Nutrition is only one of the reasons lunch is such an important part of the Valley School day. It is socially significant, too. It’s when the whole Valley School family comes together to spend time talking, laughing, and taking pleasure in one another’s company.” Students dine in mixedage groups, so they get to know kids from different grades. Every day, faculty members sit alongside the students, and meals are served family-style. In this way, the dining room serves as a classroom where children learn about manners and etiquette, practice appropriate social graces and conversation skills, and are provided opportunities to help their community by setting and clearing tables. Mrs. Snyder and her staff members, Charlotte Goodman and Devyn Langevain, intentionally work to curate this experience for Valley School students. “Of course, we emphasize physical health in our dining hall, but what the children may not be as aware of, is that this is also a space in which social education happens. It is one of the tools we consciously use to help create and maintain an environment of emotional support and health.” Indeed, Mrs. Snyder sees relationships as one of the most crucial aspects of her work space and job. She is grateful for the talents of her hardworking staff, and she encourages them to contribute creatively to the culinary process. And anyone who knows Mrs. Snyder can see clearly that one of her greatest pleasures is the children she nurtures each day. “I know these children from the time they are five years old. I know every single one by name. I learn their likes and dislikes. I see them all daily, and I watch them grow up. I love being a part of that. When I look across the dining room each day, and see the students happy and enjoying their meals, I often feel as though I have the best job in the world.” Mrs. Snyder is a widely and well-beloved Valley School figure. Though every student could express that, at the end of last school year, the level of appreciation and respect that students and families have for her and her team was brought, formally, to the attention of all. During his 9th-grade speech, School Prize winner, Ryan Banks, took the time to thank the people who helped and supported him most throughout his years at Valley School. He talked about having food allergies
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