Irvine Unified School District found itself in the spotlight recently when two of its school nutrition professionals – Rhonda DeVaux and Anita Karakesisoglu – were recognized for their “superior accomplishments” by the School Nutrition Association.
DeVaux, Irvine’s school nutrition director, was named SNA’s 2008 National Out-standing Director of the Year. Karakesi-soglu, a food service employee at the Nutrition Service Office, was awarded SNA’s National Heart of the Program.
“DeVaux has found the right balance between nutrition integrity and fiscal responsibility,” SNA said in awarding her the title. “She used fruit and vegetable promotions to increase their consumption by 40 percent and implemented ‘best value’ pricing for combination meals to emphasize the importance of eating well-balanced meals.”
Years before California implemented nutrition standards, DeVaux successfully worked to eliminate soda and candy sales on her district’s campuses.
After erasing an inherited deficit of $300,000, DeVaux created a “fund balance” that is used for nutrition education and staff development.
In a little more than a decade she has increased meal participation by 63 percent in a district with open campuses and a high rate of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
A wide variety of entrée choices, smart utilization of technology and collaborations with PTAs and other campus groups have paved the way for success. Her creativity includes providing a nutrition education program to students while they wait in line for lunch and involving student groups in the school nutrition program as a way for them to raise funds.
“Karakesisoglu’s energy is only exceeded by her creative resourcefulness,” the SNA said. “By developing an efficient process for entering district financial data, tracking and transporting food and organizing documents and supplies at each school site, she has saved time, labor and money for the district school nutrition department.”
Whether volunteering to step in when needed at a school site or a state or chapter association function or to help with district special events, Karakesisoglu is know for her “can-do” attitude and positive demeanor. She has continued to focus on professional development, taking a range of courses and seeking to become SNA credentialed in an effort to improve the district school nutrition operation.
Their honors were announced during the School Nutrition Association’s 62nd Annual National Conference in Philadelphia.
SNA is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. For more information, access the SNA Web site at www.schoolnutrition.org.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell commended the Irvine USD duo on their national honors. He said the two have been “diligent in helping to expand nutritional food choices while, at the same time, improving the overall health of district nutrition operations.”
O’Connell has proved his dedication to student health issues. In 2004, he established a task force on childhood obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease to examine the factors that contribute to the increases in these diseases among California schoolchildren.
For more information on the findings and recommendations of the superintendent’s task force, visit www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/cd/finalreport.asp.