(features)
The Reporter • October 2011
5
A day in the life: Custodian
Staff comes early, stays late to clean school libby rayne reporter Working 17 hours a day and cleaning up after more than 600 teens may not be considered an ideal job. The custodians have a different outlook. Michelle Minden, day-shift janitor, said she has no regrets after taking the lead position of the janitorial staff. Minden took the lead position after Craig Henness died in March. Minden comes in early for her 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. shift. She prepares the school for the day by turning on lights, double-checking night-shift custodial responsibilities and unlocking doors for stu-
dents who arrive as early as 6:40 a.m. Minden works the school day single-handedly. She does everything from kitchen work and ordering supplies to laundry. She said she is “very particular about how the school looks.” “I want it to look nice,” she said. The job comes without much trouble to her because she said she loves working with the students and the teachers. John Zander, night shift janitor, also said he enjoys his work. “I don’t mind the job, but it sure helps to have people you enjoy working with you,” Zander said. Zander, Dennis Kelly and Greg Good all arrive early for their 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shifts. Before their shift
starts, they can generally be found in the custodial lounge laughing. They relate jokes and good time they have while on the job such as chasing each other around the parking lot and turning lights off on a coworker on the other side of the building. The janitors clean the entire school from before the moment students arrive, to eight hours after they leave. They also come into work on the weekends to help set up or clean up after events at the school such as plays or tournaments. The custodial staff help the school run smoothly, said Justin Elliott, counselor. “They are always very willing to do whatever they can do to help,” he said.
Custodial Cruxes o Hole punch circles o Any biohazard o People showing up late for work o Kids eating and drinking on carpet o Trash on floors o Vomit o Graffiti o Gum under tables and desks o Excrement o Writing on desks o Large paper on floor
don’t mind the job, but it sure helps to have “Ipeople you enjoy working with you. ” - John Zander, night shift janitor
Photo by Marissa Bergman Photo by Marissa Bergman
John Zander, night shift janitor, vacuums a room at work. He said he enjoys his work more when he’s working with people he enjoys.
Greg Good, night shift janitor, changes a trash bag out when he is working. He works with John Zander and Dennis Kelly, also night shift janitors.