Custodians work hard and deserve our respect

By Juan Mendoza Arenas and Zachary Freeman, Staff Writers

Custodians work tirelessly and often without thanks. Their efforts play a vital role in maintaining a clean and safe campus where students can focus on learning. As students, we should not only recognize that the work they do is important but always show our utmost respect by doing our part to keep our campus clean. 

Custodians’ responsibilities go far beyond what many students see during lunch or at the end of the day, said Middle School Principal MaHogany Daniel. 

“Most people do not realize how much happens behind the scenes and how quickly they respond throughout the day,” Daniel said. “It is not just cleaning at night. It is constant upkeep, addressing unexpected messes, maintaining supplies and resetting spaces multiple times a day so learning is not disrupted.” 

Respect for custodial staff is essential. Their work directly impacts the overall atmosphere of the school, and small actions like picking up after oneself can make a significant difference. 

“Some students are very clean and tidy about their mess while others don’t really care,” said Paola Gonzales, a school custodian, who also noted the worst clean-up jobs are in the bathrooms. “Always in the bathrooms; you find crazy things.” 

Daniel said some students make poor choices by leaving trash behind, misusing restrooms or not cleaning up after themselves, which creates additional work and reflects a lack of responsibility for shared spaces. 

“The work they do is foundational to how a campus runs,” Daniel said. “A clean and well-maintained environment supports learning, reflects pride in our school, and shows respect for the people who serve our community.” 

Without the dedication of the custodians, maintaining a clean and organized campus would not be possible. Recognizing their contributions is an important step in building a more respectful and appreciative school culture. 

Photos by Ava Hicks and Kaiya Hoffman/staff