In February, we celebrate Black History Month to focus attention on the many contributions of African Americans to the United States. Did you know that two of the most popular foods today were introduced to this country by African Americans? Enjoy the stories of George Crum, James Hemings and Frederick Jones and their famous creations. Speaking of stories, take a look at how one student used reading stories to make the world a better place. It is inspiring to see how the work of one person can become such a big part of our lives. I know each of you work every day to make a difference in the lives of your students. Now there's real evidence that what you're doing is lowering obesity rates and improving the health of children. Imagine knowing that future generations will have fewer health problems all because of your work.

With gratitude,

Kathy

The son of an African American father and Native American mother, George Speck, later known as George Crum, was born in Saratoga Springs, NY in 1824. While working as a chef at Saratoga Springs’ Moon Lake Lodge resort, Crum accidentally invented potato chips. When a customer sent their French fried potatoes back for being too thick and salty, Crum responded by slicing a new batch ultra-thin and frying them until they were hard and crunchy. Much to his surprise, the customer liked the chips this way and the first iteration of potato chips were born. Some accounts suggest that Crum’s sister Kate, who worked alongside him as a prep cook, was actually the one to invent potato chips. Regardless, Crum later opened a restaurant of his own—Crum’s House—which proudly featured a basket of potato chips on every table and popularized the salty snack.

While Thomas Jefferson is sometimes credited with bringing foods like mac & cheese and ice cream to the United States, Hemings was the one who actually learned to make them. A slave in the ownership of Jefferson prior to his presidency, Hemings traveled with him to France in 1784 specifically to learn the art of French cuisine. Hemings became the first American trained as a French chef in history as a result, bringing back several dishes to the United States. French fries, ice cream, macaroni and cheese, creme brulee, French meringues, and French whipped cream are just a few examples. These dishes and others would be incorporated in Hemings' signature half-French, half-Virginian style of cooking he became renowned for. Hemings would later also cook one of the most famous dinners in American history: the one between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton that settled who would pay for the Revolutionary War and established Washington, D.C. as the United States' capital. He eventually was freed by Jefferson in 1796.

After a challenging childhood, Frederick Jones taught himself mechanical and electrical engineering, inventing a range of devices relating to refrigeration, sound and automobiles. Portable refrigeration units developed by Jones helped the United States military carry food and blood during World War II. He founded the Thermo Control company which revolutionized the food service industry by equipping delivery trucks with cooling units.

March 6 - 10 is National School Breakfast Week. Elementary schools will use the construction theme Dig into School Breakfast. Encourage students to be Breakfast Builders. Promote and decorate with resources from the School Nutrition Association. Elementary Managers will receive a toolkit to help with ideas and planning. Finalize your blueprint for this promotion and help more students succeed academically with School Breakfast.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins published a study in the Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) Pediatrics which concluded changes to school meals has reduced the body mass index (BMI) in students of all ages and income levels. On average, school meals account for 50% of a child's daily calorie consumption. These changes have been phased in over time as required by the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. Never doubt that what you do does make a difference! You're not just feeding the future, you're making them healthier. To read more on the study, click here.

Please take a minute to read the list of discounts available to employees of HPS members. HPS is our group purchasing organization. For example, you can receive discounts off Sherwin Williams paint, Avis Car Rentals, UPS and more!

Any permanent employee (including substitutes) interested in any of these positions can apply by emailing a brief letter of interest to Kathy Kane, Director at kkane@valpo.k12.in.us.

Non-employees can apply by completing an online application as an External Applicant here: https://www.applitrack.com/valpo/onlineapp/

FS Tech, Valparaiso High School, 6 hours *new*

FS Tech, TJM, 4 hours

FS Tech, Flint Lake, 4 hours

Past issues of Friday Focus are posted on our department website on the Staff Training page here:

https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1221036&type=d&pREC_ID=1455849