CISD Custodial Closet Newsletter
Supporting educational success - January 2026
Director's Message / Mensaje del Director
Welcome back, and Happy New Year!
I hope you were able to use the recent Winter Break to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with your families.
I want to start by extending my deepest thanks for the incredible work completed during the break. The deep cleaning, floor stripping, and sanitization efforts across all our campuses and service centers were outstanding. You successfully reset the standard of cleanliness for the entire district, ensuring that our students and staff returned to healthy, safe, and pristine learning environments.
The January Focus: Foundational Excellence
As we enter the second half of the academic year, our focus shifts from intensive project cleaning back to Foundational Excellence in daily operations. We must leverage the momentum from the break.
The next few months are critical for:
Sustaining Health: Maintaining rigorous disinfection of high-touch surfaces to curb seasonal illness transmission.
Asset Protection: Strict adherence to the SOPs on Equipment Care to protect the valuable, newly purchased assets.
Consistency: Ensuring every classroom and common area receives the same high level of standardized service every day.
We are entering a phase where consistency is paramount. Let’s hit the ground running, apply our established procedures with precision, and commit to making this our cleanest, safest semester yet.
Thank you for your tireless dedication. Let’s make 2026 an exemplary year for Custodial Services!
William Prats-Palerm, M.Ed.
Director of Custodial Services
January / Enero
6: Professional Development / Desarrollo Profesional
7: Beginning of 3rd Nine Weeks / Comienzo de las 3ras Nueve Semanas
19: Martin Luther King Holiday / Feriado por Martin Luther King
- Purchasing new equipment through an RFP process / Adquiriendo nuevos equipos a través de un proceso de RFP
- The concept of TEAM CLEANING is ongoing / El concepto de LIMPIEZA EN EQUIPO sigue de lleno
- Testing of Charging Buckets started / Comenzamos las pruebas con los Cubos de Carga
- Visited with several districts: New Caney ISD, Tarkington ISD, Waller ISD, and Pasadena ISD / Visitamos con varios distritos: New Caney ISD, Tarkington ISD, Waller ISD, and Pasadena ISD
- Capital Renewal Plan / Plan de Renovación de Capital
New Hires / Empleados Nuevos
-
Edith Cruz
She is a very spiritual person and regularly attends her Church.
She spends time with her son to ensure he grows into a responsible citizen.
School with the best custodians attendance / Escuela con la mejor asistencia de conserjes
- Southside Elementary School - 100%
- 1: Glenda Cates
- 3: Ma Arvizu Monroy
- 17: Carmen Hernández
- 20: María Escobar
- 25: María Tobón
Mike Daley - Originally published in 1GPA Quarterly Clipboard, July 2025, and edited for content.
San Jose, CA – August 13, 2025 – Long before the first bell rings and long after the last student leaves, a dedicated team is at work, preparing the school for another day of learning. Their efforts are rarely noticed, but their impact is everywhere – in the freshly mopped hallways, the sanitized classrooms, and the stocked restrooms that make students feel comfortable and cared for. Janitorial staff are more than service providers; they are the unseen guardians of the school experience, ensuring that every child walks into an environment that is safe, clean, and ready for success.
Yet, their work extends beyond physical spaces. A well-maintained school fosters confidence, stability, and a sense of pride among students and teachers alike. It sends a message: you matter, and this space was prepared for you. In an era where schools face growing challenges – from staffing shortages to budget constraints – ensuring that janitorial teams are supported, valued, and properly equipped is more important than ever. When we invest in the people who care for our schools, we create a ripple effect that strengthens the entire educational community.
Custodial services in K-12 education often work behind the scenes, but their impact is felt in every classroom and hallway. A trusted cleaning team does more than just clean- it creates a safe, welcoming environment where students can thrive, and teachers can focus on what they do best: inspiring young minds.
Post-pandemic, one of the biggest hurdles is finding qualified janitorial staff, especially in the wake of labor shortages. School districts has been struggling to bridge the gap, ensuring schools meet their cleaning needs. A great janitorial team doesn’t just maintain facilities; it enhances the learning environment, creating a space where students feel safe, focused, and ready to succeed.
Schools are pillars of our community, and those who take care of K-12 facilities should view their role as more than just a cleaning checklist—they are a vital part of creating comfortable and safe spaces for children to learn. Inspiring employees to take ownership of their work, as well as their role within the school and community, cultivates a sense of accountability and empowers them to actively contribute to the school’s success. Making custodial staff an integral part of the school’s ecosystem also leads to lower turnover and higher job satisfaction amongst school staff.
“Whether it’s a site manager, a director, or custodial staff, many are drawn to this work not just for the job itself, but because of a genuine passion for the schools and communities they serve. They take pride in creating a clean, safe environment where students can learn and educators can focus on their mission,” said Victor Becerra, CCS Facility Services Regional Vice President. “For many, it’s more than just a job—it’s a way to give back, to support the next generation, and to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They understand that their work directly contributes to the wellbeing of the community, fostering a space where students and teachers can thrive.”
Just as schools are a place of learning for students, ongoing learning and training programs are essential in ensuring that janitorial staff are equipped and ready to create healthy learning environments for students and teachers. By offering customized training that meets a school’s unique needs and providing top-notch education to all cleaning personnel, custodial staff can create spaces that are not just clean, but that transform classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and gymnasiums into places where students can thrive and grow. And learning doesn’t stop when school is out—training and service continues year-round to ensure staff can always meet the high expectations that make a school feel like home.
Working in K-12 education requires more than just filling positions – it demands a deep commitment to the well-being of students and staff. Schools are more than buildings; they are communities, and the people who care for them should reflect the diversity, values, and spirit of those they serve. That’s why staffing janitorial teams must be intentional, beginning with rigorous background checks to ensure a safe and secure learning environment. But safety is just the foundation. When schools hire locally and build teams that reflect their communities, they create a deeper sense of belonging for students, teachers, and staff alike. “A janitorial team that understands the heartbeat of a school isn’t just maintaining a space—they’re nurturing an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and valued,” adds Becerra. Because when a school truly feels like home, students are free to focus on what matters most: learning, growing, and building their future.
At the end of the day, ultimate success comes from consistent communication. A productive feedback loop between the school and its janitorial team allows for timely response times when issues arise. A well-trained team that is dedicated to students, teachers, and administrators will ensure that they are deploying the right resources to resolve issues, often correcting or reacting to issues before it is raised to the administration. The more integrated a janitorial team is, the more they become a part of the school’s family and are invested in ensuring that the school is always at its best.
Man Achieves Dream of Becoming Principal After Almost 30 Years as a School Janitor
By Emma Taggart / Published January 20, 2025 / My Modern Met
Louisiana-based Joseph “Gabe” Sonnier is living proof that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. After nearly three decades as a janitor, he decided to become a teacher, ultimately becoming the principal of the very same school he once cleaned.
Sonnier’s journey took a turn in 1985 when Westley Jones, the then-principal of Port Barre Elementary, pulled him aside for a life-changing conversation. “He said, ‘Being a janitor is a good job and it’s an honest living,’” Sonnier, now 63, recalls. “But I taught you unlimited potential. I think you’d benefit the students better as an educator. I’d rather see you grading papers than picking them up.’”
Encouraged by the principal’s belief in his potential, Sonnier enrolled at Louisiana State University Eunice and the University of Louisiana. He balanced a demanding schedule, working mornings and evenings at the school while pursuing his studies. “I’d finish there and then go home and do homework,” he says. “It was hardly much rest.”
Fortunately, Sonnier’s hard work and dedication paid off. In 2006, at age 39, he graduated with an associate’s degree in general studies from Louisiana State University Eunice, and in 2008 he received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Louisiana. He then got his first teaching job, and even went on to complete a master's degree in Science and Education.
In 2013, Sonnier became the principal of the very school he had cleaned for 27 years. Reflecting on his journey, he says, “Who would have thought 33 years ago, when I set foot on this campus, that I’d eventually be the leader of this school?”
Sonnier originally put his dreams on hold after graduating high school to help his family. Following his parents’ separation, he stepped in to help his mother with bills by taking on various jobs, including construction, grocery work, and a position at a sawmill. Eventually, he became a janitor at Port Barre Elementary, following in the footsteps of his father, who had held the same role for much of his life.
“When I first started, it was my intention to work five, maybe 10 years as a janitor and then look to do something else,” says Sonnier. Though his time as a janitor lasted longer than he initially intended, he ultimately managed to transform his life, inspiring others along the way—including fellow staff members who pursued their own master’s degrees. “Don’t let your current situation define what you’ll become later,” Sonnier recommends. “I always tell them, it’s not where you start, it’s how you finish.”
Un hombre logra su sueño de ser director después de casi 30 años como conserje escolar
Por Emma Taggart / Publicado el 20 de enero de 2025 / My Modern Met
Joseph "Gabe" Sonnier, residente de Luisiana, es la prueba viviente de que nunca es tarde para perseguir tus sueños. Tras casi tres décadas como conserje, decidió convertirse en maestro y finalmente se convirtió en director de la misma escuela que una vez limpió.
La trayectoria de Sonnier dio un giro en 1985 cuando Westley Jones, el entonces director de la Escuela Primaria Port Barre, lo invitó a un lado para tener una conversación que le cambió la vida. "Me dijo: 'Ser conserje es un buen trabajo y una forma de ganarse la vida honradamente'", recuerda Sonnier, ahora de 63 años. "Pero te enseñé un potencial ilimitado. Creo que beneficiarías más a los estudiantes como educador. Prefiero verte calificando exámenes que recogiéndolos".
Animado por la confianza del director en su potencial, Sonnier se matriculó en la Universidad Estatal de Luisiana Eunice y en la Universidad de Luisiana. Compaginaba un horario exigente, trabajando mañana y tarde en la escuela mientras estudiaba. "Terminaba allí y luego iba a casa a hacer la tarea", dice. "Apenas descansaba".
Afortunadamente, el esfuerzo y la dedicación de Sonnier dieron sus frutos. En 2006, a los 39 años, se graduó con un título de asociado en estudios generales de la Universidad Estatal de Luisiana Eunice, y en 2008 obtuvo una licenciatura en educación primaria de la Universidad de Luisiana. Posteriormente, consiguió su primer trabajo como docente e incluso completó una maestría en Ciencias y Educación.
En 2013, Sonnier se convirtió en director de la misma escuela que había limpiado durante 27 años. Al reflexionar sobre su trayectoria, dice: "¿Quién hubiera pensado hace 33 años, cuando pisé este campus, que eventualmente sería el líder de esta escuela?".
Sonnier pospuso sus sueños después de graduarse de la preparatoria para ayudar a su familia. Tras la separación de sus padres, intervino para ayudar a su madre con las facturas aceptando diversos trabajos, como construcción, en una tienda de comestibles y un puesto en un aserradero. Con el tiempo, se convirtió en conserje en la Escuela Primaria Port Barre, siguiendo los pasos de su padre, quien había desempeñado el mismo cargo durante gran parte de su vida.
“Cuando empecé, mi intención era trabajar cinco o quizás diez años como conserje y luego buscar otra opción”, dice Sonnier. Aunque su tiempo como conserje duró más de lo que inicialmente pretendía, finalmente logró transformar su vida, inspirando a otros en el camino, incluyendo a compañeros que cursaron sus propias maestrías. “No dejes que tu situación actual defina en qué te convertirás más adelante”, recomienda Sonnier. “Siempre les digo: no importa dónde empiezas, sino cómo terminas”.
