Custodians at Oakview Middle School are getting a helping hand from some students through the school’s Junior Custodian Club.
Oakview Head Custodian Cynthia Hilley said two seventh-grade students, Tim Lowe and Daniel Arthaud, were interested in starting a “fix-it” club. That idea evolved into what Hilley hopes could become a district-wide program.
“We started with 10 students (in January) and now we have 20,” said Hilley, who runs the club with Oakview School Social Worker Janet Fox. “We’re going to try and instill it every year as long as I’m here.
“They’ve had a lot of positive feedback…people have noticed what they’re doing,” she said.
Hilley said the club will become more organized every year, and that this year the students helped with setting up for school events, such as shows, concerts and conferences. The students even helped put together a barbecue grill.
“They are primarily special education students, but it’s not a special education club,” Hilley added. “I want it to be kids helping our school, and it’s working.”
Students who have taken part in the club have seen their grades rise and their attitude and behavior improve.
“They help me clean the lunchroom, and they actually do maintenance,” Hilley explained. “My goal is I want to instill in them team work and positive self-esteem, and belonging to the community.”
Stipulations for students in the club include homework must be done and they must provide good role modeling for fellow students.
“I’m good at fixing things and it’s really fun,” said club member, seventh-grader Chad Campbell.
“It seemed fun and there’s not a lot of girls in either my special education class or this class,” said Alice Ostrander, seventh-grader. “I thought it might help me get along with other students better.”
Seventh-grader Hanna Kello said she likes helping out.
“I can make new friends,” she added.
“We wouldn’t have been able to do if not for (Hilley) and (Fox),” said Lowe.