Have you taken the time to get to know who allows the school to function? Sure, the principal or superintendent, but that’s not who I’m writing about today. I’m talking about the people who might be a little less noticed or appreciated: our support staff. Without them, our school falls apart and we would probably have a harder time getting an education. Next time you see someone on the support staff, make sure to tell them, “thank you.” 

Some of them give a lot of time every day.

“I work from 7:20 or 7:30 to 4:00 or 4:30, it just depends on what’s going on,” Principal’s Secretary Robin Palumbo said. “I’ve stayed until about 6 before, and it used to happen pretty often, back when school started. It doesn’t happen a lot, but it does happen every once in a while.” 

Some of them have given many years to the school.

“I have been working for the school since ‘97.” Custodian Vickie Welch said.

Their job is pretty hard.

“More help (could make our job better). There are just four of us girls and we clean the whole school,” Welch said.

You can help them too. It’s not even that hard.

“(It would help if) you pick up your garbage,” Assistant Manager Diana Roth said. “High school is the worst about picking up their garbage.”

There was one thing that was unanimous among our support staff, however.

“I do like it. I like being around the kids,” Custodian Carolyn Hilton said.

Some like it because of family ties.

“I love it here, and my grand kids are here. Jolie’s in 4th grade. Zane’s in 1st grade.” Welch said.

Some like it because of convenience.

“I do like the idea of being off on weekends, and watching the kids grow up,” Roth said.

Some like it because of both.

“I love it here. It’s a job and it’s close to home,” Admin Office Secretary Connie Flowers said. “When my kids were in school I was here and able to be where they were and now my grand kids are here.”

Almost all of them said that they love the kids that go here though. Remember that they care about the students and that without them, we wouldn’t have a functioning school, to begin with.