MN never feels empty. The halls are always buzzing with some sort of activity, whether it is a school production or a team practice or a sports game. But at night, long after students and sports teams have gone home, the hallways continue to be filled with life.

Custodians pull carts through the dark, empty halls, cleaning  the bathrooms, classrooms, and walkways of the school. By the next morning, the trash cans are empty, the floors are clean, and the halls are filled with students overlooking the effort that goes into maintaining a safe and clean learning environment.

For most of us, school is a temporary setting. But that doesn’t give anyone the right to disregard the work that goes into maintaining it and upkeeping it, even when it isn’t in use. Although students might only be here seven hours a day, we need to take responsibility for our school, and all of the effects our actions have.

It’s a privilege to have the ability to overlook the work that goes into attending a clean and safe school, especially from our custodians. It’s important to check that privilege by taking a moment to step back and recognize that your actions make a difference.

I have seen so many people carelessly leave behind trash, knock drinks over, and leave general messiness in their path, overlooking the people that will inevitably be forced to pick up after them.

Every drink spilled or paper dropped is another unnecessary burden placed on those who have committed to carry some of the weight of the maintenance of a school of 2500 students. The dedication of a group of hardworking custodians is necessary to keep the school running. Being here means being part of a community, and when everyone does their part, it means the wheelwork of the school runs more smoothly.

Day Custodian Perry Fisher has been working at Millard North for nine years, and as a custodian for Millard for eleven years. Interacting with students is a big part of the job for him, so even a smile or an expression of gratitude could make a big impact. Even on your own, just cleaning up after yourself makes his job easier.

“There are just little things students could do to lessen the load. In the mornings, pick up your trash after you have your breakfast. There are trash cans all around the hallways. Another thing is that the carpet in the new addition makes spilled drinks twice as hard to clean up, so we appreciate it if students just keep drinks out of that area,” Fisher said.

We all influence those around us, and by being here, we contribute to creating the collective school environment we all experience. Although custodians have selflessly committed to maintaining a clean building, we should all commit to cleaning up our own messes and creating a good experience to the best of our ability. Treat the hallways of the school with the same respect that the hardworking custodians deserve.