The Inver Grove Heights Schools (ISD 199) Student Advisory Council wrapped up this year’s work with a taste test of potential school lunch items. Council members, who are students in grades 4, 7, and 11 from all ISD 199 schools, have been working with ISD 199 Superintendent Dave Bernhardson to build leadership skills and provide feedback on district initiatives. Their previous meetings included learning about their role as council members, getting an inside look at district operations, providing input for the Superintendent Search Survey, and giving their perspectives on what school should look, sound, and feel like to achieve the best student experience. 

Students visited the Cahill Court cafeteria in Inver Grove Heights Middle School and Simley High School for their taste test and a tour. ISD 199 Director of Food Service Dorie Pavel showed students around the cafeteria’s kitchen while teaching them about her department. Students saw Food Service staff prepping fruits and vegetables for the day’s salad bar while Ms. Pavel pointed out different equipment and explained some of the laws and guidelines that staff must abide by when providing school meals. 

To understand what students like best, Ms. Pavel and the Food Service Department conducted a taste test with students. Students tried a hot honey chicken flatbread, chicken street tacos, beef pot roast and roasted potatoes, chicken enchiladas, and a french toast breakfast sandwich. They rated each dish and provided feedback on why they liked it or didn’t like it. Food Service staff will compile the feedback to understand what to put on future menus and what adjustments they can make to the current dishes. 

Thank you, Food Service staff, for creating dishes that students enjoy while abiding by state and federal regulations. Also, as the council wraps up, thank you to student council members for sharing their perspectives throughout the school year. Council members will bring what they have learned back to their schools while their feedback will be used to further improve the school experience for all students.