To the "Magic Makers"
During my first year as a building principal, I would walk into school through a long hallway. Undoubtedly, I would smell a pot of coffee brewing from a staff lounge/office area. After I filled my cup, I would make my way to my office, turn on the lights, and smell cleanser in the air from the surface of my office table and student sitting area. Thereafter, I would walk down a carpeted hallway with fresh vacuum prints and open the doors of the cafeteria commons. Each and every table was neatly placed and ready to greet students for the day.
The coffee, freshly cleansed surfaces, vacuumed hallways, and orderly tables were all daily pieces of evidence that our “magic makers” paid attention to details to not only help kids have a great day but also support staff members with a neat, orderly, and clean environment. The magic makers are building custodians and building engineers; October 2, 2021, is National Custodian Day!
Our custodians not only support the day-to-day care of our buildings, they also establish relationships with our students and staff members. As an elementary student at Fillmore Elementary in the late 70’s, I remember our building custodian, Mr. Slayton Thompson. He was a mentor and friend to many of us. Fast forward to today, Mr. Thompson is still a student advocate in our community. I am honored to have known him as a child and today as a community member committed to education.
On behalf of our managing leaders of our custodial crew, Matt Dunbar and EJ Brink, as well as our entire leadership team, I would like to say thank you and recognize our building engineers and custodians for everything they do—especially over the past 18 months—to support our district, staff, and students. They are team members whose work is not always seen by everyone, but definitely leave their “magical marks” that make everything work from day to day. We are grateful for all that they do for our community!
Happy National Custodian Day!
