October 2 is National School Custodian Day! In honor of the incredible work these men and women put into our schools each and every day, we want to take the time to recognize them.
Custodians keep our schools safe, clean, and welcoming for all students and staff. Without them, our schools would not be able to operate efficiently and give students the education they deserve.
To all our custodians, thank you! You have our sincere gratitude.
In recognition of this national day, we asked our principals and vice principals to share a little about what makes their custodial teams so extraordinary. These are their answers:
Faxon Elementary: Faxon would like to shout out Channy Lim and Reyna Cardoza, along with our great night custodians. They both are everywhere at Faxon - responding to all requests promptly, with a smile, and they engage with students! Amazing women and we are glad to have them.
Success Academy at Anderson: We want to extend a heartfelt shout-out to our amazing custodian, Anderson, for his exceptional work in keeping our building inviting and welcoming. His dedication and meticulous attention to detail shine through in every corner, creating inviting atmosphere that we all appreciate. Anderson goes above and beyond, often taking the initiative to tackle challenges with a positive attitude and a smile. His hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for his commitment to maintaining our space. Thank you, Anderson, for all that you do!
J.A. Rogers Elementary: Mr. Elliott is special because he goes above and beyond when it comes to helping teachers and students. I receive many compliments about Mr. Elliott’s work ethics, and I am not surprised because he does not stop until he finishes the job.
Phillis Wheatley Elementary: Thank you for taking pride in making sure our students and staff have a clean, safe, and welcoming space to learn. We are very appreciative of the work you do grateful that you are apart of our school community.
Holliday Montessori: We love our Ms. Tess here at Holliday! She greets every day with a smile and is a staple to keeping our schools' days running smoothly. She is simply the best!
Manual CTE: A big shoutout to Ed Kalig for his outstanding leadership and dedication at Manual Tech! Ed and his team go above and beyond to keep our building clean, welcoming, and ready for learning and special events. His commitment, teamwork, and pride in our school make a difference every day. Thank you, Ed, for all you do.
Primitivo Garcia Elementary:
Ms. Cecilia is our Cleaning Queen! She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our school is beautiful, welcoming, and spotless. Her positive attitude is contagious, and she always has a smile on her face and a cleaning rag in hand. She is kind, caring, and makes everyone around her feel valued. Not to mention, she makes the best rice! Ms. Cecilia's dedication and heart help make Garcia feel like home. We appreciate all she does!
¡La Sra. Cecilia es la reina de la limpieza! Siempre hace un esfuerzo adicional para garantizar que nuestra escuela sea hermosa, acogedora e impecable. Su actitud positiva se contagia, y siempre tiene una sonrisa en los labios y un trapo de limpiar en la mano. Es amable, cariñosa y hace que todos a su alrededor se sientan apreciados. ¡Sin mencionar que cocina el mejor arroz! La entrega y el cariño de la Sra. Cecilia ayudan a que Garcia se sienta como en casa. ¡Agradecemos todo lo que hace!
Mr. Jesse is our OG Mr. Clean. He is committed to keeping Garcia clean, safe, and welcoming for all. Whether it's moving tables, lifting boxes, setting up spaces, or helping staff and students with whatever they need, he is always ready to lend a hand. His generosity, work ethic, and willingness to serve others make him an invaluable member of our Garcia family.
Mr. Elias may be new to Garcia Elementary, but he has already made a tremendous impact. Through his hard work and partnership with our SPED team, we now have a sensory room that supports our students in meaningful ways. He also takes great pride in ensuring our cafeteria is clean and ready for students each day. We are grateful for his dedication and the care he puts into his work. We appreciate all he does at Garcia Elementary!
El Sr. Elias es nuevo en la Escuela Primaria Garcia, pero ya ha causado un impacto tremendo. A través de su gran esfuerzo y trabajo en equipo con nuestro departamento de SPED, ahora tenemos una sala sensorial que ayuda a nuestros estudiantes de formas muy importantes. Además, se esmera mucho en que la cafetería esté limpia y lista para los alumnos todos los días. Agradecemos mucho su entrega y el cariño que le pone a su trabajo. ¡Estamos muy agradecidos por todo lo que hace en la Escuela Primaria Garcia!
Carver Dual Language: Carver’s custodial team is amazing! Earnest Winters, Montell Billings, and Shareta Dunn all do excellent work. They are responsive to staff needs and go above and beyond in making sure that Carver is always looking its best!
KCPS Board of Education: Jack and Martin here at the BOE are always willing to help out whenever they can! Always positive and full of positive energy!
Martin Luther King Elementary: Ms. Aimee is beyond a custodian; she is someone that shows the students and staff every day that she cares. She goes beyond her daily job to be there when someone needs something including me - I injured my hip last year and at the end of everyday she is there to assist me getting my rolling cart down the stairs. I am sooooo thankful for her. Mr. Nate is present in the cafeteria everyday when he is not there the students ask about him because they know he is a constant helpful presence to them.
Melcher Elementary: A special shout-out to Ms. Amia Wright and Mr. Melvin, our amazing custodians at Melcher! These two do so much more than keep our building clean. They take care of our school, our staff, and our students every single day. They work behind the scenes, step in wherever they’re needed, and help keep Melcher running. We love and appreciate you both, and we truly could not do what we do without you! Thank you for everything you do to make Melcher a great place to learn, work, and grow.
Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts: They are an amazing team and they keep Paseo looking pristine. I’ve only worked with them for a short amount of time, and I know I have high expectations, but this team rises up to meet them every single time! Custodians of the life blood of the building and we would be nothing without them!