Janine Marnien
LA CRESCENTA -- Some students were dressed to impress Thursday at
Mountain Avenue Elementary School, putting on suits, ties and even formal
dresses to dine in style at a restaurant complete with maitre d'.
Even though the restaurant was really the cafeteria, and the maitre d'
a noon aid in a suit, the students who participated in Bib N Tucker Day
didn't seem to mind.
"They look so fabulous," said sixth-grader Tanner Farwell, himself
wearing a borrowed dress shirt, vest and tie from his father. Tanner is
the president of the school's student council, the group responsible for
planning the event.
"We just decided our school needed some way to have fun," he said. "We
wanted to let our kids show how beautiful they are."
Along with the maitre d', the cafeteria was decorated more elegantly
than normal, with tablecloths and paper flower centerpieces. Students
were also allowed to eat where ever they chose, instead of the usual
assigned lunch seating.
Maitre d' Steve Rycewicz waited on students, even bowing regally to
the some of the girls.
"I serve them using fine French linens," he said. Rycewicz then
gathered some of the "linens" to give to students -- brown paper napkins.
Bib N Tucker Day was a Spirit Day for the school. Spirit Days are held
about once a month to build camaraderie at the school, Principal Gracella
Gibbs said.
"We're so focused all the time on academics," she said. "Sometimes
it's nice just to participate in something fun."
