LH Middle School welcomes annual French breakfast cafe
Students received a taste of French culture in a unique lesson Friday with the opening of a special breakfast cafe at the Laurel Highlands Middle School. Established one day a year by the eighth-grade students who are members of the school’s French club and its sponsor, French teacher Dolores Shusko, the cafe introduces students to life beyond their daily routine.
“It’s interesting to see how they do things differently from us,” said student Alexandra Miller.
“It’s fun – it’s exciting,” said student Sabrina McMillen.
Wearing special T-shirts that feature the Eiffel Tower and French flag, the club’s 40 students arrived as early as 6 a.m. to begin transforming the food and nutrition room into a cafe, complete with decorations that included white tablecloths, miniature pumpkins and copies of famous French paintings while music filled the air.
They served faculty, staff and community members French-roasted coffee, tea and hot chocolate as well as buttery croissants, mouth-watering omelets and a variety of condiments.
“We’ve been very busy,”‘ said student Melissa McCann. “It’s a good experience for us.”
Shusko started the breakfast about 10 years ago and it serves two purposes.
“I wanted my students to do something for the community and that’s still what it is. I want them to give back,” she said. “And I also wanted them to learn about French food, culture and a cafe environment.”
Indeed, the students learned in a different way as they made certain that guests received constant attention and plenty of food. Volunteer Gene Doria, retired food director for Laurel Highlands, also was on hand to create omelets loaded with ham, cheese, mushrooms and peppers with the assistance of students such as Scott Dills and Tyler Rapp.
“It was fun. I like cooking. I think this is a good idea,” said Dills.
Students Charles Calabrese and Cole Heilman thought the lesson provided an education for everyone.
“I think it’s a good way for people to see what originated in France – omelets and croissants,” said Calabrese.
“I thought it was a good way to teach us what food was created in France and how they do it,” Heilman said.
The guests also enjoyed the experience, which prompted a discussion between history teacher Randy Geller and geography teacher Bart Cohen on how the American Revolution inspired the French Revolution.
Geller said of the breakfast, “I think it’s a unique cultural experience for the kids. It gives them a chance to interact with French culture.”
Cohen said, “It gives them a different perspective on culture – the food, the language.”
The breakfast is part of the French club’s observance of National French Week, which included a presentation on French cooking on Wednesday and a variety of speakers talking about the impact of foreign language on Thursday.
The students enjoyed the week, including being able to perform community service.
“It’s a different way to get involved,” said Miller. “I feel good about it because I like to help people if I can.”
“It’s been a good experience,” said McCann.
“I enjoy the activities and participating in French culture,” said McMillen about the club.
“I’m very proud of them,” said Shusko of her students and their work at the cafe. “They’re following instructions, staying on task and using initiative to see if something needs done.”
She noted the experiences also teach the students “not everyone in the world has the same perspectives as Americans. The ultimate result is tolerance and an appreciation for differences.”