Jimmy Smardjeff, owner of the Weiner King restaurant in Mansfield, serves hot dogs to second-graders in their classroom at Prospect Elementary School.
For half an hour on Tuesday every student in Deborah Mayo’s second-grade class was a Weiner King manager. Their paper hats said so.
Exceptionally good behavior earned the Prospect Elementary kids a classroom lunch of hot dogs, french fries and soft drinks, catered by Jimmy Smardjeff, owner of the Lexington Avenue restaurant.
Mayo, a Title 1 reading teacher, said the class worked hard on their behavior after a less than perfect first half of the year.
“We spent a lot of time reading and thinking about being peaceful people,” she said. “During the second half of the year others in our building were noticing their behavior improvement.”
Vicky Wright, a long-term substitute math teacher, echoed the class’s turnaround. She helped to achieve the behavior improvement after Principal Martin Linder summoned her to Prospect
“I was subbing at the middle school when Mr. Linder called and told me, ‘We need you here.’” Wright said. “The kids worded hard. The difference from earlier in the year is like night and day.”
Good behavior was evident throughout lunch. “Please” and “thank you” echoed.
The room got quiet as second-grader Zarianna McCrary told Smardjeff about her class.
“We’re always respectful and peaceful. We’re doing good things now,” she said.
Each Prospect class wrote letters about their behavior. The building’s leadership team of teachers selected Mayo’s class as the winner.
Retired Mansfield City Schools administrator Jon Kinton, a friend of Smardjeff, suggested the reward lunch and Smardjeff was eager to provide it.
“It was Jon’s idea and I was all for it. He didn’t have to twist my arm,” Smardjeff said. “I have a daughter who went to Prospect when she was younger. I’m always interested in helping people out.
“This is a good thing to let the kids have some fun. It’s doubly enjoyable because the class is being rewarded for good behavior. I think more people should get involved in supporting the schools.”
John Matthes, owner of Johnny’s Mattress and Furniture Superstore, also was on hand, adding french fries to each plate after Smardjeff placed hot dogs on them. Kinton poured soft drinks.
“Part of being a business owner in the community is to give back,” Matthes said. “This is quite a treat for these kids, I’m sure.”
Linder was a late arrival to lunch.
“It’s smelling delicious in here,” he told the second-graders. “You guys did such a good job earning this reward.”