As much as I abhor Newt (repeal child labor laws) Gingrich and the rest of the G.O.P. Goat Rodeo, I have a small tale to tell about working at my grammar school in 5th and 6th grades.
see below the curlicue
In fifth grade the teacher announced that the kitchen staff needed help during lunch. The volunteer would get lunch provided free of charge and would return to class only when the chore was finished. As a less than satisfactory student (one who was better read than all the students and most of the staff, but hated structured learning) I leaped at the opportunity to break the monotony of my school day. I started out rinsing dishes and trays prior to running them through the massive automatic washer. later I was promoted(?) to running the dishwasher itself and actually liking it. I looked for any reason to stay there and not in the classroom.
At the end of my 5th grade school year I asked to come back the next year, and the kitchen staff said sure. It gave me valuable skills that I put to use during my fifteenth year when working at a local retirement home for the very rich.
I still look back at this time with fondness, as I was given a choice of how to spend my school day, and with this teeny bit of power I was able to reconcile the rest of my school day.