Manteca Unified School District Superintendent Clark Burke was the surprise guest at the McParland School Annex Tuesday.

A surprise in that he helped serve lunch to students at the transitional kindergarten / kindergarten campus that morning.

Burke recalled doing his fair share of working the mess hall during his basic training days in the military – he’s still active as a Grade Officer in the U.S. Army.

“This is different – we’re feeding the basic needs in nurturing kids,” he said.

According to Tracee Franks, who is the Director of Nutrition Services, Burks’ opportunity to learn first-hand on what it takes to work in a school cafeteria and serve students came by happenstance.

“We were on the elevator (at the District Office) when the idea came up,” she said.

Franks noted that the district’s Nutrition Services serves up about 30,000 meals daily to 30 campuses consisting of 20 elementary schools, five comprehensive high schools, and two continuation schools.

The food prep for the day often begins early that morning.

Principal Melanie Smith indicated that most of the 300 youngsters on campus receive the MUSD meals, which, on this day, was a choice of orange chicken with rice and steamed vegetables, or a beef burger.

Burke more than did his part with the food prep and working with the McParland Annex cafeteria staff under the direction of lead Shelley Dorland.

He also learned of the hard work, care, teamwork, and dedication by the cafeteria staff during the meals served up each day.

Burke, in addition, greeted students during the three lunch periods as they made their way through cafeteria line.