McTeachers Night

On Monday, we had a fundraiser for our PTO at the local McDonalds. The school received 20% of the sales from 5-7, and the staff was given the chance to work behind the counter. When it was first announced and they asked for volunteers, I didn't get it. I thought they were going to come to the school and do something or I don't know what I thought but not that. We didn't even know what we would be doing that day honestly. I didn't figure they would actually let us work behind the counter because it was probably some kind of public health violation or who would really want 15 extra people trying to "help" you do your job? I can only imagine how well that would go over at school. However, I was wrong. We walked in and they put us to work. Registers, french fries, pickles on burgers, wiping tables and trays were all jobs handed out to our eager staff. Apparently, I looked inept because I got put in front of the speciality drinks machine. Mochas, smoothies, iced coffees, etc. Guess how many of those get ordered between 5-7? About 10. It was definitely the cush job to have. It wasn't even that there weren't that many ordered but that it was also super easy. You put the container under the spout, push the type and size on the touch screen, and pour it into a cup. I felt a little guilty watching the girls as the registers handle the constant stream of orders. However, I seriously struggled a little bit with making the chocolate drizzle look like an M on the top so she was probably right in putting me there. I'm not sure I could have kept up anywhere else. Our principal REALLY wanted to do fries and they finally let him about halfway through. He probably wishes he worked there instead of school sometimes. Someday I'll figure out how to get pictures off my camera. Until then, ask to see his picture. It's serious business making fries.

I had 11 of my kids and families make it out which was an awesome turnout. It was a great and easy way to make $400 for our school and much better than selling stuff. As far as never having a job in a fast food restaurant, I have to say that I stand by that decision. It wasn't because of the health or cleanliness by any means (I ordered and ate when I was done and will do so again) but that the work is tedious, long, and tiring. If have to be able to keep about a million things straight in your head and be a multitasking professional. And, they only make minimum wage. I mostly just watched and came away exhausted. One of the teachers that was working in the trenches helping with condiments and burgers says her head is still spinning. We joked that it wouldn't be surprising if she woke up shouting, "2 pickles, no ketchup!??!" at least once in the next few days. You have to be a people person to work at the counter and thanks to technology it is probably 10x easier than it was even 5 years ago. Did you know the drive thru drink machine is entirely automatic? It grabs the right sized cup, drops it in a circle, spins it around to ice and pop and stops for the human to put on the lid. Very cool. Someday, a computer will be making your burger and it's probably closer than we think. Overall, I would say the entire experience was a great success and the teachers that didn't make it severely missed out. I'm glad I didn't make food service my career choice but I'm also glad I got the chance to do it. The other side of the counter will forever be better appreciated by at least this grateful consumer.