I just received an email from Jeremy’s principal about the transfer of the much loved cafeteria manager from his school. Colleen has been there the whole 12 years my kids have gone to Ann Arbor Open and like most of the kids, I think she’s just wonderful. I have eaten lunch many times there with Jeremy and Sasha over the years and always enjoyed seeing Coleen. I am deeply saddened that she was transfered away from the kids and the school she loved so much.
Below are excerpts from the email that we received from the principal. I have to say that I am really proud of the kids for standing up for what they see to be as a great and sad injustice.
“As you may have already heard from your children, Coleen […], who has been our cafeteria manager for many years, has been transferred to a new position at Pioneer High School. […] has joined us as our new cafeteria manager.
This news has been met with a lot of emotion by many of our staff and students. Coleen is a much-loved member of the Ann Arbor Open family. In addition, a comedy of errors in delivering this news meant that it trickled out rather than being announced and discussed in a systematic manner. This was not any of our preference, and I am truly sorry it happened this way.
As you know, Food Service is run entirely by Chartwells, a private company. They are in charge of all staffing for food service employees. Coleen is no longer an employee of the district. The decision to transfer her was made by Chartwells.
Some of your kids have been engaging in various forms of protest regarding this decision. They have been circulating petitions, chanting on the playground, etc. This is fine to a certain extent, and a good lesson in influencing change in a democratic society. Staff has been trying to channel these energies in a positive direction. Specifically, we want the children to understand that there is no one at the building who can change staffing in food service. Signs put up, petitions delivered and rhythmic chanting at the building are not a good use of their time because they are not heard, seen or received by the decision makers.”