Goodrich-It was a missing roll of toilet paper that alerted Oaktree Elementary students to the fact principal Kim Hart had been cleaning the school.
To thank custodian Brenda Holderbaum for 25 years of service, Hart recently walked a day in her shoes. After principal duties were done for the day,
she geared up in sneakers, jeans, rubber gloves, and a bright yellow T-shirt to take over Holderbaum’s chores for the evening.
‘It was a long day for her,? said Holderbaum. ‘She showed up about 8 in the morning and stayed right through to 9 p.m.?
Although the two had teased each other that ‘you should do my job some day?, Holderbaum never actually expected it to happen. ‘It threw me for a loop,?
she said.While the janitorial rookie did a ‘wonderful job in the bathroom,? Hart took too much time vacuuming, said Holderbaum, who ‘bailed her out at the end.?
This week, third-graders in Mike Ellis? class soft-soaped Hart with letters of approval.
‘I think it was nice to let Mrs. Holderbaum have the day off,? said Cory Cooper.
‘Did you have fun cleaning?? wrote Kendra Gallaher.’What do you like better, being principal or custodian?? Julia Kerwin asked. ‘You did a wonderful job,? said Tyler Reed, ‘so good we want you to do it again.?’Do you clean as good at home?? wondered Tricia Harris.Mike Schwerin wanted to know, ‘What are you best at, custodian or principal?? and whether Hart cleans at home, ‘or do you make your kids do it?? he wrote.’Was it gross to clean the toilet in the boys bathroom?? asked Cory King. Matthew Montgomery kept it simple.
‘You rock,? he said.Although the principal’s chalkboard cleaning got less ravishing reviews, it was a good experience. Hart will never again walk over the floor grates in the school’s entry without realizing how hard they are to clean.’Now I have much better respect for her job. It really opened my eyes,? said Hart.