In a busy high school, students and staff members may not always notice the daily efforts being made by essential people behind the scenes. Often, staff members who receive little attention play a key role in our school operations. Recognizing their efforts builds a strong school community and shows respect for all they do.
Janitors, lunch staff and attendance secretaries help create a safe and organized learning environment. Their work supports students throughout the school day. They complete work that students may not even know has to get done, yet each one supports the school itself along with the students. Taking time to recognize these roles shows appreciation for the people who work so hard.
Every day, students may purchase lunch, snacks or drinks from the cafeteria. Lunch staff members prepare meals, heat any items, organize snacks and check students out of line. They do this for four periods and for hundreds of students. Busy lunch periods bring long and chaotic lines. Lunch staff are responsible for managing all of those steps in order for students to receive their food quickly.
Cafeteria employee and cook Jenni Hartmann explained the behind-the-scenes work that goes into her job.
“We start at 6:45 in the morning, prep all the food, then you guys come in and we serve everybody,” Hartmann said.
How lunch staff chooses to interact with students can make differences in their everyday lives.
¨They are very kind, and they are always in a good mood every day,” freshman Haley Conro said. “When people are being rude, they’re not mean back.”
Attendance secretary Jennifer Biddle has worked in her role for a little over a year. Prior to that, she worked in the main office before taking the attendance position. Biddle values working with different groups of people.
“Being able to work with both adults and students is the best of both worlds for me,” Biddle said.
Biddle handles many responsibilities during the school day. She receives phone calls while responding to emails and greeting people who walk in. Tasks change quickly, and she has to ensure that everything gets done. Good organizational skills and quick problem-solving abilities help her manage those situations.
Despite the workload, Biddle feels support from the school community.
“Students are very respectful, and teachers are as well,” Biddle said. “They know it’s a lot of work.”
Janitorial staff play a key role in daily school life. They clean classrooms and hallways, remove trash, complete any small repairs and maintain safe conditions for students. A clean school helps students focus on learning and limits potential distractions.
Janitorial supervisor Efrain Aguilar oversees many staff members with varied responsibilities across the building and is also responsible for checking that work is completed by the other custodians.
“I make sure the school looks clean because students tend to make big messes here at school,” Aguilar said. “I try to make the school look presentable. Children are appreciative here. My job is noticeable, and you can see the difference. I like my job here at this school. I’m happy with what I do, and we all work here comfortably.”
Students may not always see how much work truly goes into being a custodian, but it is vital that they appreciate them for making sure our school operates efficiently.
¨I really appreciate the janitors because they keep us safe and comfortable,” junior Jesus Ferral said. “They are often the first ones in the building and the last ones out.¨
