Bertina Bettencourt doesn’t mind being called “the lunch lady.” The Chatom Union School District food service worker has been making sure the students at her school site all receive a healthy — and delicious — lunch for 28 years and is used to being recognized as the “lunch lady” when students see her around town. Bettencourt’s dedication to her job and considerate work ethic are just two reasons she was recently selected to represent Stanislaus County in the statewide Employees Making a Difference award program.
The favorite part of her job: the children.
“I feel like I’m a mother to them because you see them growing, in kindergarten, first grade and you just see them get taller, get a new haircut and that kind of stuff,” she said.
Chatom Union Superintendent Cherise Olvera nominated Bettencourt for the Employees Making a Difference recognition program through the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region VII.
“She is a humble, considerate and exceptionally skilled professional who serves as the heart and glue of the Food Service Department. Every day, Bertina not only makes a significant difference through her work but also brings a genuine kindness that brightens the day of everyone she encounters,” Olvera wrote in her nomination of Bettencourt.
Bettencourt was also praised by Olvera for her commitment beyond the regular school year and her leadership abilities.
“She is a role model for professionalism in any department. She is a dedicated, motivated and hard-working individual. She approaches every task with a positive attitude and determination that it can be done and navigates challenges with grace. For instance, when faced with food delivery delays or shortages, she collaborates with her team and the food service director to create alternative plans that comply with state requirements while still providing nutritious melas for staff and students,” wrote Olvera.
Bettencourt takes pride in the fact that at Chatom they still do a lot of “scratch cooking.” She said they try to mix in a lot of traditional school lunch fare, like sloppy joes and turkey gravy, with newer options that kids today really enjoy like Tuesday’s menu of orange chicken on rice with salad and fruit.
Bettencourt said she likes knowing that she has served third and fourth generation of families who return to the campus and fondly remember what they used to have for lunch when they were in school.
“It’s so funny, they might have a bad day but the food is good. They’re going to remember…that carries through your adulthood. We’re very fortunate as a community and as a little school to be able to still offer this,” she said.
Bettencourt was one of 28 outstanding classified staff who were honored at an event in January, and one of nine (one from each work category) selected to Stanislaus County in the California Department of Education’s statewide recognition program.
Other honorees selected to represent Stanislaus County include Turlock Unified School District’s Eliabeth Giannone (resource support paraprofessional) and Zachary Sward (campus supervisor).