What Does A Custodian Do?
By Gary Niemi, Director of Buildings & Grounds, Superior School District
Dan Orlandi, Superior Schools Custodian, setting up a UV Sanitizing Light Unit
Explore Superior is pleased to post this article by Gary Niemi about the job of a custodian from the perspective of a student. Our children go to school daily without giving much thought to how the school is kept clean. As parents, we only notice the job done by a custodian if we see something that doesn’t belong, like garbage on the floor, or a dirty restroom. This article is a great way of recognizing the work done by those employees whose efforts are often overlooked.
“My custodian cleans my classroom. They empty the recycling and the trash. They wipe off desks and things and dust mop the floor. They spot clean and disinfect. Then they arrange the furniture so my classroom is ready for me the next day. Sometimes, especially when other kids are sick my custodian brings a special ultra-violet sanitizing light into my classroom in the evening.”
“My custodian cleans our restrooms. They sweep it out. They clean and disinfect all the fixtures and places people touch a lot. They refill all the dispensers like soap and paper towels and empty the trash. They clean the mirrors and disinfect the drain so everything is fresh and clean.”
Tony Park, Superior Schools Custodian, using a riding floor autoscrubber
“My custodian mops and scrubs the hallway outside my classroom. They have a really cool machine they use to clean the floors. After they clean the drinking fountain it sparkles. My custodian also shovels the snow away from the entry doors so I can get into the building. They keep the mats at the door clean so I have a place to stomp the snow and dirt off my feet.”
“My favorite thing is when my custodian says “Hi” to me. Sometimes we talk about what I’m doing. I like my custodian.”
“A Custodian is a person who has responsibility for taking care of or protecting something and my custodian takes care of me, my classroom and my school. My custodian helps the School District achieve its vision of being “a learning community characterized by a responsive, child-centered philosophy that respects diversity and supports high expectations for the learning of all in a safe and sustainable environment.”
“My custodian helps the District achieve its goal to “develop and maintain a healthy, physical, emotional, and sustainable environment” by making sure that the “buildings and grounds are clean and well-maintained” to provide a clean and healthy place for me to learn. My custodian models “positive behaviors” and makes me feel like I belong in my school. My custodian keeps my school safe. My custodian also helps my school “incorporate sustainable practices.”
The next time you meet a custodian while walking the halls of a Superior school, be sure to thank them for their hard work and dedication to their school.
