New Cosgrove Middle School cafeteria first new space to open as part of the Spencerport's Capital Project

Spencerport's Cosgrove Middle School students enjoy the atmosphere in their new cafeteria.

The last day of January was a first for Cosgrove Middle School students, who began eating in their brand new, brightly lit cafeteria. The cafeteria is light and airy with one wall of windows. Principal Bonnie Seaburn says the students "are so used to eating in an area with no windows, the new open and sunny atmosphere is a welcome change."

"I like the windows," says seventh-grader Brittany Bargy, a comment echoed by almost every student asked. "I think it's brighter and pretty," says Tatiana Briggs. "You can see nature." "It's cool," says John Allen. "It's sunny."

Denise Kelley, Spencerport's director of food services, agrees. "The cafeteria is so bright and cheery, you can't help but feel good," she says. "The students have adapted quickly to the changes."

Four parent volunteers - Barb Hartman, Meg LeBeau, Lucy DasFaias and Anne Piedimonte - helped out on that first day, answering students' questions and helping them find their way to the right serving lines. "Lunches went like clockwork," says Seaburn. "With the help of the cafeteria workers, the cafeteria monitors, the custodians, teachers and parent volunteers, the students were guided quickly to their lunch line."

The serving areas are still temporary while the kitchen is being finished. That means food is still prepared off-site, mostly at the high school, and carted over. The new kitchen will be ready by September.