One of the many workers at PHS that keep the school fully functioning is our custodians. Photo by: Rebeca Lee

By Rebeca Lee

Custodians play a very important role in the functioning of a school. They are essential school employees who interact daily with students, teachers, parents and the community in their daily job function.

In the course of day-to-day work, it seems that it is an endless job of cleaning rooms that will be dirty again tomorrow. As true as this may be, it should be remembered that how well a job is done can affect not only the health and safety of the children, but morale and atmosphere of the entire school. Custodians are responsible primarily for cleaning the school building, equipment and grounds. Trudy Stearns one of PHS custodians said, “I clean the Cafeteria, Auditorium, Mrs. Faulstitch’s room, laundry, doors, doorways, check bathrooms during the day, mop up spills, clean up the break room/ small conference room, and classrooms.” For an everyday routine, one might say this is a lot to do.

Taking care of the high school puts a lot of pressure on one person, but as a worker at PHS custodians do not mind because putting the safety of students comes first. Photo by: Rebeca Lee

In the winter at PHS, there is always those days of snow. Whether few days or many, that cold white blanket ends up coming back each year. When students and staff at Plymouth High School arrive in the morning on one of those winter days, the snow is always cleared and icy walkways are always salted so everyone can walk safety indoors. Safety is Plymouth High School custodians’ top priority.

Many custodians come to work in the schools after establishing themselves in a different field or career. Custodian Stearns has been working as a PHS janitor for four years and was former a bus driver for more than 21 years. She says, “I really love my job. I like working days and getting the chance to interact with the kids and faculty. Some of the kids have even given me the nickname ‘Grandma Trudy’.” Mrs. Stearns believes that students do treat her with respect and is grateful that they do.

It is very rare for custodians to get recognized for all the great things that they do. They do so much for the safety and pride of  the school by keeping things well cleaned and kept. In return for everything they do, Mrs. Stearns asks students to try and clean up any messes that they make and  to try not to eat in the hallways.