Wildwood High School Students to Earn ServSafe Certification

WILDWOOD – Chartwells K12 and Wildwood High School are teaching students the importance and practice of food safety through an innovative program that will allow students to earn ServSafe certification.
Wildwood High Principal Philip Schaffer and Chartwells K12 Director of Dining Services Jim Linnington have partnered to bring the National Restaurant Associations’ (NRA) ServSafe Certification course to seniors in the Home Economics program. In addition to the partnership between Chartwells and the Wildwood School District, a grant from the Daniel Tanner Foundation is helping to offset a portion of the program’s cost.
Chartwells K12’s Training and Development Team is delivering the program to students who will experience the full ServSafe course and become nationally certified in food safety and sanitation prior to entering the summer workforce in the busy shore community.
“Giving our students a ‘leg up’ in the restaurant industry is something that’s important to us, and ServSafe Certification was just the ticket,” said Linnington who has served as the district’s Director of the Food and Nutrition Department for more than 25 years.
In a Jersey Shore town like Wildwood, there is a huge demand for skilled hospitality trained employees. Applying for a job with a qualification like ServSafe from the NRA will give the students the advantage others may not have.
“Our kids are some of the brightest and most talented. The abundance of jobs in season may just spark an interest in a student who may not have ever considered Culinary Arts as a career path and ServSafe is a key tool employers will recognize when considering one applicant over another,” said Phil Schaffer; High School Principal.   
Following the initial certification this year with students, Wildwood School District in partnership with Chartwells K12 intends to certify Home Economics students every year. 
Providing students the tools and resources they need to succeed in and out of the classroom is a top priority for the Wildwood District and Chartwells K12. This certification gives students the tools to thrive in a rewarding, lifelong career choice.