Serving More Than Lunch At CMES

As the school year winds down for children at Crofton Meadows Elementary School, so does the 30 year career of Carol Saylor. For the past three decades Saylor has been serving breakfast and lunch to generations of Crofton students.

“She is an asset to our school. Carol not only cares about each and every one of our students but the staff as well. She truly cares about every child and that their needs are met everyday. We have been very fortunate that she has been with this school since it opened over 22 years ago,” said Principal Janine Robinson. 

Saylor will not only be missed by the over 400 students she serves meals to but the staff as well. “There is only one way to describe Carol: she is wonderful. She is always smiling and greets every child by their name. She knows every child and knows their needs. We are all going to miss her. It is going to take some time to get used to someone new!” said Laura Lloyd a longtime staff member. 

This summer Saylor will still be focusing on children but quite a few less.

“My children really want me to retire; I have six grandchildren and a great grandchild. I look forward to spending a lot more time with them all, but I’m also going to miss my students. I will also miss the CMES staff, many of them I have known for years,” said Saylor. 

She plans on spending a lot of time with her grand daughters.

“They are all into American Girl Dolls and I have begun sewing doll clothes for them. First though, I must finish a crocheting a baby blanket for my great grandchild.  Plus, I plan on resuming my hobby of family genealogy,” said Saylor.

Saylor began her career with Anne Arundel County Public School because of her own children’s needs. “When my children entered school I wanted to find a job that would work with their schedules, so I decided to go into the school system. Because I enjoyed working, after they graduated I continued to work,” remarked Saylor.

She said the biggest change over the years has been a shift to delivering more nutritional value in the food service.

“However, the one thing that never changes is the children. They are all just wonderful and that is what I’m going to miss the most,” said Saylor.

Normally a longtime employee would be given a retirement party but not so according to Julie Gabel.

“She didn’t want us to have a retirement party for her. She didn’t want the spotlight on herself. So our staff is giving her a picnic. It is going to be a very sad day for all the staff. She cares about each one of us and our families. For example, my children went to this school years ago and she still asks about them,” said Gabel a Special Education Teacher.

“Seeing my students every day has made this the most rewarding job anyone could ever ask for,” said Saylor.