Two out of many custodians who serve PHS are happy to be a part of the Plymouth School Corporation. Photo by: Chelsey Allen
By Chelsey Allen
Cleaning for 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week is the typical work week for a custodian. Students think keeping their room clean is hard, trying cleaning a high school with a lot of classrooms, halls, and especially bathrooms. Everyday custodians have to clean. They may get into a sticky situation, but the outcome is a nice and clean high school.
There are many designated custodians that have been working for Plymouth High School for a number of years such as Custodian Ellen Weist. Mrs. Weist tells she was hired in August of 2009, but has served PHS for 9 years as a volunteer.
It usually only takes a teen a few minutes to clean their room depending on the mess. Mrs.Weist said, “we are given 15 minutes a classroom.” Walking into a bathroom and trying to find a clean stall can sometimes be hard since it might not be very sanitary. No matter who does it, the boys and girls bathrooms must be clean.
Cleaning takes time especially if a large school with a lot of students is being cleaned. Mrs.Weist said she works 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. She says keeping all the “events” in mind and working around them is sometime a challenge.
Being a custodian can have major set backs, and can involve cleaning something unsanitary. Mrs.Weist said, “the drains in the floor often make me wish I had somewhere else to be at that moment.”
Depending on the size and how much traffic a room or a bathroom gets depends on how long it takes clean. Mrs.Weist said ,“the Cafeteria, Math, Science, and English halls see the most traffic, but the locker rooms take the longest due to the “extra” areas.”
Even the least favorite jobs can have the best memorable moments someone will never forget. Mrs.Weist explains one of her most memorable moments is “seeing someone you would not expect to go out of their way to another person.” Mrs.Weist explains, “I noticed an injured student heading towards a door. So he waited and held open the door for her to make it easier for her.” Mrs.Weist says it is moments like those that make her glad she works around great kids.
A custodians job can have its challenges but Mrs.Weist said she enjoys working for and around the students. It may be a hard job, but seeing the students throughout the day is one benefit she said she receives. Cleaning may be tough but, a clean ending is always the best.
The school would not be very clean like it is now without the wonderful custodian. They do such a fantastic job. Custodians simply make the lives of students easier. Junior Jacob Whaley said they make his life easier because, “they clean the bathrooms and hallways.” Freshman Jessica Sayer said, “they clean up our messes.” Sayer also said, “dirty and unsanitary,” is what the school would be with out them. Sayer appreciates them so much, she said, “momma Weist rocks.”