THE KEEPER OF THE SCHOOL - A MATTER OF PRIDE

I love what I do. I take great pride in what I do. And I can't do something halfway, three-quarters, nine-tenths. If I'm going to do something, I go all the way. - Tom Cruise

Custodian (noun) as defined in Webster's Dictionary
1. a person who has custody; keeper; guardian.
2. a person entrusted with guarding or maintaining a property; janitor.

After twenty five years of teaching, mostly in elementary schools, I retired to write and substitute teach. The latter I do because I keep trying to make a difference with kids. It also allows me to see their current thinking, as well as the latest teaching ideas.

Today I find myself reflecting on custodians and their importance in the life of the school. Having had my own classroom in three different Seattle grade schools, I had a chance to work with and observe day, night and substitute custodians in all of those schools. Also, having substituted in over fifty other schools, I now have an even clearer picture of the men and women who provide the overall "first impression" for students, teachers, and the general public. That first impression often determines if parents want their children in a particular school setting. What a difference if the hallway floors are mopped, the walls unmarked, the windows clean, and the bathrooms well equipped and smelling fresh!

I know that budgeting determines how much custodial service classrooms and the school at large gets, and union guidelines play a role. Usually common areas are kept up dailly. Kindergarten classrooms often get daily sweeping or vacuuming, while rooms for older kids only get that service a couple of times a week. However, I also know that teachers must make it easier for custodians to do their work. Chairs should be put up, crayons, papers and bulky items need to be off the floor. I have actually heard kids say, "That's the janitor's job" when asked to clean up. That is a thoughtless statement which needs to be corrected by the teacher.

The most amazing custodian I ever had the pleasure of working with was from Mexico. I'll call him Ricardo. If he were to read this article he would recognize himself. He had a strong work ethic and took great pride in doing his job well. He did not saunter along or spend time leaning on a broom, but went almost at a run from one task to another. My windows were washed more than once after years of neglect. Hallways were mopped nightly and the place, old as it was, literally sparkled. Every teacher request was taken care of as quickly as possible. I never failed to be impressed by his ability, his pride in his work, and his spirit of helpfulness to all. Sadly, I think he is in the minority.

I have observed other janitors doing minimal work which often results in a dingy, dusty school environment. This, in turn, has a negative effect on all who work and visit in the building. If only they could see how important their place is on the educational team. Of course building leadership needs to set the tone and expectation for mutual caring and respect for the school and each other, so perhaps that is where it starts in healthy schools.

There are, of course, many remarkable custodians who are hardworking, dedicated, and appreciated. One such man is Darell Valentine from Harding Elementary School in El Cerrito, California. If asked who is the most popular adult at this school the answer is "Mr. V." He has been the custodian for many years, but does much more. Barbara McIntyre, a teacher there, calls him their hero, and the heart and soul of the school. One sixth grade student says that Mr. V knows every kid by name and wants all of them to feel special. In an on-line article about this amazing man he is quoted as saying "Life is beautiful. It's what you make of it...." He obviously works hard, takes pride in his work, and brings joy to those around him.

On the other end of the spectrum is a comment made on The Classroom Chatter Forum about best school custodian moments. "I took a job as a substitute custodian at an elementary school for the public school district. They assigned me to 40,000 square feet with 24 classrooms, the gym, cafeteria, kitchen, eight bathrooms, offices and teachers' lounge. The carpet is 47 years old and stained with vomit and urine. The first two weeks I vacuumed bugs up from behind every door and bookshelf. The fly infestation in the cafeteria is due to filthy garbage cans and food particles in every corner and under every appliance. This week I had a notice on my board that human feces was wiped onto the stall in the boys' restroom by the gym, posted by the head custodian at 8:00 a.m. I come to work at 1:00 p.m. . . . I went to the head of the maintenance department at the school district and he said it is not in the budget to clean these schools right. They pay me minimum wage with no benefits and this guy gets a $20,000 bonus at the end of the year. Just a thought: What about the children?" http://www.semissourian.com/forums/classroomchatter/thread/437

This leads me to wonder why some people in this field see their jobs as important and valuable, while others watch the clock and wait for quitting time or pawn their work off on others. If you are a principal, please, please let the staff know how important each and every one is to a smooth-running and happy learning environment. I would like to say to all of you working to keep our schools welcoming and clean, please know how important and valuable your work is and give it your best effort. If you can occasionally take a kid under your wing who would benefit by shadowing you or reading to you, even better. You have custody of your building and determine the first impression of anyone who walks in the door. We salute you and the vital work you do!

----------------------------------------------------------------------
BOOK NOOK - Joke Week

As a new school principal, Mr. Mitchell was checking over his school on the first day. Passing the stockroom, he was startled to see the door wide open and teachers bustling in and out, carrying off books and supplies in preparation for the arrival of students the next day. The school where he had been a Principal the previous year had used a check-out system only slightly less elaborate than that at Fort Knox. Cautiously, he asked the school's long time Custodian, "Do you think it's wise to keep the stock room unlocked and to let the teachers take things without requisitions?" The Custodian looked at him gravely... "We trust them with the children, don't we?"

From the internet, according to a news report, a certain private school in Washington recently was faced with a unique problem. A number of 12 year old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom.
That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the custodian would remove them and the next day the girls would put them back. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the custodian. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night. To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the custodian to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet and cleaned the mirror with it. Since then there have been no lip prints on the mirror. There are teachers, and then there are educators.