Custodial and maintenance staff have an important job: keeping schools clean and safe while making sure that the building's systems are working the way they are supposed to. There are many ways that custodial staff can support English language learners (ELLs), and there are things that teachers and administrators can do to enhance that support. Here are some ideas to get started!
This article includes the following resources:
- A tip sheet for sharing
- A slide deck that features a professional learning session
Educator voices
Education advocate Ricky Robertson recalls, "I worked in a building where the custodian had some of the strongest relationships with the students in the building because of the time he took to say hello, greet them, or to check in with them. He built trust and he built relationships. And I have no doubt that he positively impacted the lives of thousands of students over the course of his career." (See more in Ricky's video, Engaging the Whole School Staff.)
Getting to Know Students
Introduce yourself.
- Greet students and families with a smile and introduce yourself. Let students know you are there to help them.
- Remember that each adult in a school community can make an important difference to an ELL.
- In addition, keep in mind that ELLs (and their families) also may be nervous! Patience can go a long way in helping students adjust.
Keep in mind that ELLs may be new to your school.
- ELLs may have never been to your school before. They may get lost and need some help finding their way around.
- They may also need help finding important places such as the bathroom, water fountain, cafeteria, gym, nurse's office, and main office, or getting back to their classroom.
- Students may also not be familiar with school policies and procedures. If something unexpected happens, keep in mind that it may be due to miscommunication and students may need some extra support or information.
- Let students know where to find the custodial office in case they need to find you (or suggest that it is included in school tours).
Keep your eyes and ears open.
- You will have important insights about what's happening around school. If you have any concerns, speak up!
Address safety issues promptly.
- Help students understand safety rules related to different areas of the school and how to stay safe in different situations.
- Use safety signs with visuals, and if possible, use bilingual signs.
- If a safety issue arises or you notice a recurring issue:
- Talk with a supervisor or administrator first.
- Find out if better communication is needed.
- Share your ideas for how to address the issue.
- Keep in mind that students or families may need more information or reminders in their language about specific policies.
Educator voices
Carlos arrived from El Salvador in January and enrolled in 9th grade. On his first day, his Dad drove him to school and dropped him off at the main entrance. It was 7:10 and school was scheduled to start at 7:30, but the door was locked. He could not get inside, so he waited for someone to come and open the door. It was a cold winter morning with some snow on the ground and there was no one in sight.
After about an hour of waiting, a man in a uniform appeared at the front door, unlocked it, and pointed to the clock on the wall. Carlos couldn't understand what the man was saying, but he was glad that he could come into a warm building. Soon after, teachers and students began arriving at the school. There had been a two-hour delay due to the weather. Carlos and his family did not know about school delays.
—Excerpt, Lessons Learned from Immigrant Families
Communicating with Families
Support family communication.
Find out what steps you should take if a student's family needs to be contacted.
Go over emergency procedures.
- Find out what to do in case of an emergency, including whom to contact that speaks families' languages.
- Keep in mind that students who speak English may revert to their language in an emergency.
Preventing Bullying
Watch out for bullying.
- Address any bullying at the school immediately.
- ELLs and their families may not be familiar with school policies on bullying and they may be afraid to report any incidents.
Be aware of why ELLs may be bullied.
Students should not be bullied for any reason, including:
- Language
- Accent
- Country of origin
- Immigration status
- Cultural customs
- Food
- Dress
Immigrant Students
Know immigrant students' rights.
- All students have a right to a free public K-12 education, regardless of their (or their parents') immigration status.
- School staff should never ask or refer to students' or families' immigration status.
Ask for training on important policies.
It’s important to know what steps to take if law or immigration enforcement approaches your school.
Ask supervisors for legal guidance and training on your district's policies about:
- Student privacy
- Interactions with law enforcement
- Interactions with immigration enforcement
Sharing Successes
Share ELL success stories.
- Share success stories about working with ELLs and ELL families with your colleagues and supervisors, no matter how small.
- This can help create a positive culture that supports students.
Celebrate achievements!
Celebrate the ways that custodial staff help students every day — and the ways they help their community!
Ideas for Teachers and Administrators
Classroom Teachers
- Invite custodians to your classroom to meet students. Ask them to explain what they do and where their office is.
- Show your appreciation for custodians through thank-you notes or kind gestures during the year.
- Keep in mind that custodians can play an important role as a friendly face in the school.
Administrators
- Introduce custodians to family liaisons so that they already know each other if they need to partner together to address an issue.
- Include custodians in staff training as appropriate, particularly on issues related to school schedules and building access.
- Invite custodians to open house, back-to-school night, or other events where they can meet families.
- Celebrate custodians on special days such as their birthday or School Custodian Day. Look for ways to highlight their hard, and sometimes unpleasant, work.
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