To the staff 'behind the scenes': thank you!

By Vanessa Perez

Reporter

Custodians, security officers, lunch cooks, and more may not be as acknowledged as much as CMHS teachers, but without the help of the ones who look after us, how could our school be a positive environment?

In addition to teachers, lunch ladies, security guards, janitors, and other staff bond and talk with students through their breaks.

Nikki Tomas, shared her experience as a new lunch lady. She has been working here for no longer than two years and applied through one of her friends, who also serves along with her.

“I feel perfectly fine about that [about not being in the spotlight],” Tomas said. “I would’ve been working at the elementary, anything to do with the kids and school.”

Tomas said that she would rather serve our students from the shadows. Besides being perfectly fine with staying behind the counter, she affirmed that helping kids, in general, is the way to go for her.

As for the lunch ladies, many seem to have their perspective on not being in the center of attention; they do not seem to mind much. Though some lunch ladies state that a simple “Thank you” may come a long way for them.

Security Officer Woodard was hired at Crete-Monee High School this year. Students may not know him personally, but they recognize the officer always standing in the center of the school, watching for any arguments or fights.

“That’s every day,” said Officer Woodard, responding to the question if he has ever gone out of his way for anyone in the school. “I try to outreach to all students.”

Woodard believes all of the students are important to him, as they should be to everyone else.

It doesn’t matter what ethnicity, age, or gender, students should be treated fairly and equally.

Officer Green believes security officers, lunch ladies, and custodians definitely need more gratitude and acknowledgment. Despite the fact that he grew up in the Chicago area, Green believes that they should get appreciation once he realized such a different perspective that he never knew.

“I can’t be ‘best friends’ with them,” Green said, referring to all of his students that he constantly takes care of. “I’m too old for that; every student still likes to talk though.”

Green realized that not only is he creating a stable work environment for the school, but a positive atmosphere for students. Green learned that students count most even though a little more appreciation is needed from them.

Here at Crete-Monee High School, custodians, cooks, and guards are the ones we see daily, so why not give them more gratitude and thankfulness for all they do for us?