Jean Nanjo wakes up early in the morning, rushes out of the house to make it to school on time, and in return  sometimes forgets her lunch. When she arrives to school she suddenly realizes what she has forgotten and easily puts a lunch order in, in the main office. “It’s reduced my stress level because I can leave my house in a hurry with no worries about lunch because I can just order it at school,” said Nanjo.

 Inspired by Mission high school’s Special Education Inclusion education program, Iris Weiss, one the of the many Special Ed teachers at Washington, created a brand new lunch system to cater teachers and staff. Just started in late August, the new lunch delivery program headed by Stephen Tinelli and Iris Weiss allows Washington’s Special Ed students to practice their communication skills, social skills, and safety rules. “It is a way for our students to have important jobs and for them to be visible by the school,” said Ms. Weiss.              

By filling out an order form in the office, staff can beat the rush and still obtain off campus lunches. Once the order forms are submitted in the main office in the morning, Weiss and Tinelli’s students venture off to Chino’s to order the meals in person or they call Tsing Tao to make an order.

Stephen Tinelli and Iris Weiss accompany their students to go pick up the staff’s lunches, come back to George Washington, and personally deliver the lunches to each teacher who had ordered earlier that day. 

“Wonderful service, students were polite and on time,” exclaimed Peggy Clinton, an English teacher, in response to the delivery program.

Over 10 staff members have used the system, but it is quickly growing.  “We’ve had both positive responses and great feedback from users as well as people who are excited to use it,” said Ms. Weiss.