Spotlight

2.Dads drawn to Fathers Day lunch at FayEl

Bill Zogg with his daughter, Emma (center) and her friend, Nina Zheng.

Fayetteville-Manlius High School

Dads drawn to Fathers Day lunch at FayEl

What do dads want for Father's Day? More time with their children. And a nice meal would be great, too.

The food service staff at Fayetteville Elementary School helped on both counts June 18 by inviting fathers to join their students for lunch at the school.

"I think this is great," said Bill Zogg, beaming while sitting next to his daughter, Emma, a first grader. "I've never eaten lunch with her before in the two years she's been here."

More than 150 fathers signed up for the Father's Day lunch menu, which included a special mushroom Swiss burger for dads only. In addition, several fathers brought their own lunches.

First grader Matthew Sikorski said he was pleasantly surprised to see his father, Richard, in the cafeteria.

Mark Noble said he has visited his first-grade daughter, Katya, during lunch several times this school year.

"I like coming here to embarrass her in front of her friends," he joked.

Fayetteville Elementary Cook Manager Cheryl Zamelis said she plans one special meal each month at the school. In May, FayEl held its first Mother's Day lunch. It was such a success that she had to do a Father's Day lunch, she said.

"Parents seem to like it," Ms. Zamelis said of the lunches.

Richard Sikorski (left) had the mushroom Swiss burger, while his son, Matthew, had the chicken patty
Jamie Jarmacz joined his daughter, Hannah, at Fayetteville Elementary June 18.
Katya and Mark Noble smile during the Fathers Day lunch at Fayetteville Elementary.
Cook Manager Cheryl Zamelis slaps Swiss cheese on the mushroom burgers before they go in the oven.