One Team: Custodians
Supporting Health and Safety
When we think about the people who help our students succeed, custodians may not always be the first roles that come to mind. Yet at the heart of their work is something fundamental to every school day: the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff.
Our nine custodians care for more than 360,000 square feet of school facilities, helping ensure our schools are ready for learning each day. Their responsibilities go far beyond what most of us see. They maintain classrooms, hallways, restrooms and common spaces; respond to spills and unexpected messes; address sanitation and safety concerns; prepare spaces for activities and events; and keep a constant eye out for issues that could affect the people who learn and work in our buildings.
During the summer, custodians clean classrooms from top to bottom, including windows, blinds, walls, baseboards, whiteboards and ventilation registers; shampoo carpets and refinish floors; replace HVAC filters; pressure wash sidewalks and bus loops; help move classrooms and furniture; and maintain outdoor spaces, including playground areas. The work is physically demanding, often requiring custodians to walk 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day while lifting, moving and transporting materials and equipment throughout their buildings.
Custodians also play an important role in school security. Each day, they help ensure schools are locked, secured and alarmed, checking doors, windows and gates, turning off lights and helping maintain safe environments for students and staff.
Much of this work happens behind the scenes. It may take place before students arrive, after staff have gone home, or quietly in the background during the school day. When custodial work is done well, it can be easy not to notice, but that is often the point. Their work creates a healthy, safe and welcoming environment that allows everyone else to focus on teaching and learning.
Our custodial team is an essential part of one team, with every role contributing to student success. We are grateful to our custodians for the dedication and attention they bring to our schools every day.
Thank you to custodians Kaylee Ward and Alex Hosick for sharing about their important work and helping us highlight their roles in this newsletter.
(Photo: Custodian Jerry Hanson at IRE).