The smell of good old fashioned home style cooking wafted through the Ellis Middle School cafeteria and auditorium Friday. Laid out on several tables in front of the auditorium stage was all the good food people would expect to find: There was tortillas, refried beans, salads, several types of chicken, vegetables and a couple flan dishes.

It was the feast every Ellis staff member looks forward to every year. It was the annual lunch put on by Hispanic parents grateful to teachers for instructing their children.

“We want to give some attention to them and say thank you,” said Lidia Montano, one of the parents responsible for putting on the lunch.

For the past four years, parents have banded together at Ellis to give thanks to the staff by preparing food for almost 100 people. It takes a lot of coordination by Raquel Imbert, Ellis success coach, who asks for volunteers a couple of weeks before the end of school to help out or prepare dishes.

“They’re very generous,” Imbert said of the parents.

The staff certainly appreciate the gesture.

“This meal (is something) I look forward to every year,” said Kevin Anderson, school psychologist. “They are very generous and they’re good cooks. Their appreciation is heartfelt and it’s very wonderful for the staff.”

This year, the staff got extra goodies, including their own spicy pepper plants from parents thanking them for all they do.

“It’s a way to say thank you for all they do for our kids,” said Siria Sandoval.