Most high school students would confirm that at home, they are expected to throw away their trash after meals. Yet in the WS cafeteria, students have come to expect that a team of custodians will walk around throughout the lunch period to collect kids’ trash.
While some students nicely deposit their trash in the bin or say “thank you” to janitors passing by, others use this time to try for a perfect slam dunk or practice the silent game.
Custodians are often forced to wait at the end of long, rectangular tables or hover near circular tables, waiting for students to pass down unclaimed trays of half-eaten food. Many custodians are even willing to wait patiently for students to scrunch up their paper lunch bags or temporarily halt their conversation to glance toward the trash can.
The custodial staff is made up of some of the most kind, cheerful people in the building. I know that it would be deemed unreasonable to suggest that students make the long and troublesome trek to the trash to throw away their own food, so I am merely asking that we all return the favor and respond well to the people who do so much for us.
While county-wide initiatives and school-based peer mediation lessons have focused on eliminating bullying and treating our peers with respect, in 2015 we should make an effort to be more kind not only to the students and teachers, but also to those who take care of our school.
At the end of every episode of her show, beloved comedian and philanthropist Ellen DeGeneres reminds viewers to “be kind to one another.” In the cafeteria, this means that we should use basic manners and common courtesy.
The start of a new semester provides the perfect opportunity for WS students to turn over a new leaf. In the second half of the year, rather than staring blankly down a row of faces, waiting for someone to claim unattended trays or empty chip bags, we should do the right thing. Students who sit at tables where the majority of students already dispose of their own trash can continue to improve by saying “thank you,” smiling, or simply answering the custodians nicely when they ask if there is any trash.
Regardless of a student’s grade level, AP course load, or extracurricular stress, the twenty-five minute lunch period provides some respite. However, we should remember as we chomp on chicken fingers, catch up with friends, or sleep, that we are not the sole individuals in the school with high levels of stress.
During the second half of the school year, when you feel particularly exhausted and maybe somewhat careless in the cafeteria, think of the adults who have to stay on their feet for all four lunch periods to clean up after us.
This is another task added to the long list of odd jobs that the custodial staff faces.
So, during second semester, be mindful of your cafeteria behavior, be kind to all individuals at WS, and thank the custodial staff for everything they do for students and our school.