How to Thank the Janitors at Your School

It's easy to thank the janitors at your school.

Janitors often perform undesirable tasks for relatively low pay, but they don't have to go unappreciated. Even though custodians perform menial and unpleasant tasks, they are still people with families, hopes and dreams. There are many ways to thank the janitors at your school and show them that you appreciate their work.

Instructions

1. Greet your janitor with a smile and courteous greeting whenever you see her. Unless your school is very large, you will probably run into the janitors frequently. Learn the janitors' names and engage in conversation on occasion if possible. While this is not an explicit thank-you, it shows respect for the janitors and acknowledges their presence.

2. Present the janitors with thank-you notes that have their full names and a heartfelt note of gratitude. Microsoft Word has some templates for a thank-you note.

3. Give the janitors a Christmas card or gift around the holidays. It doesn't have to be large or expensive, but a small gift means a lot. Include a small note with your best wishes.

4. Talk to your administration about ways to thank the school janitors. October 2 is National Custodial Workers Recognition Day. Potentially the janitors could take the day off with pay if they choose.

5. Volunteer to help the janitors a few hours a week if your administration will allow it. This will give you volunteer hours on your resume and a chance to get to know the janitors themselves and better understand what they do every day.

References

• Thank Your Stars: Stories About Janitors
• Microsoft Office: Janitor Award/Thank You
• Holiday Insights: National Custodial Workers Recognition Day