BRIDGEVILLE - Rommel Ongaco, the Nutrition Manager for Woodbridge School District’s Phillis Wheatley Elementary School, has been named 2024 Mid-Atlantic Region Manager of the Year by the national non-profit School Nutrition Association.
The award recognizes the dedication, ingenuity and compassion shown by cafeteria managers who have excelled in providing high-quality, nutritious meals to students throughout the school year.
According to the School Nutrition Association release, Mr. Ongaco consistently goes above and beyond what is asked of him, providing a safe and healthy environment for students and getting them excited to be in the cafeteria. He strives to provide students with a dining experience and not just a meal, and his efforts have garnered consistent increases in student meal participation.
Dedicated to using quality ingredients, Rommel worked with another child nutrition manager to help create the district’s first-ever child nutrition garden. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs grow throughout the year and are used as fresh ingredients at each school to give students a chance to taste freshly grown produce with their entrees.
Mr. Rommel commissioned the transformation of the serving line to an Under the Sea theme, complete with a naming competition and prizes for students. Full of school spirit, he ensures his cafeteria is decorated for all holidays. He encourages his staff to dress up for events such as National School Lunch and Breakfast Weeks and occasionally dresses as a Marvel character himself for School Lunch Hero Day.
Mr. Rommel was named the district’s Educational Support Professional of the Year. He is a certified ServSafe instructor and can proctor the course and certify staff members at any given time, saving his department time and money.
“Staff and administration regularly commend Rommel for putting the needs of others first and for creating a positive cafeteria environment for students,” said Chris Derico, School Nutrition Association President. “His considerate nature combined with his great attention to detail make him an invaluable asset to his school and district.”
Mr. Rommel was announced as the Mid-Atlantic region Manager of the Year during an online awards ceremony on April 30 in advance of School Lunch Hero Day, celebrated on May 3, to honor all of America’s dedicated school nutrition professionals. The accomplishments of Rommel and all SNA award winners will also be highlighted in a special digital publication and promoted in SNA's annual Hero Day social media campaign on Facebook.com/TrayTalk and TrayTalk.org.
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