WOODBURY — With summer around the corner, many students are starting the transition from full-time school to full-time jobs. Because of this, some students are looking into jobs as a summer custodian, which gives students the opportunity to work on weekdays during normal school hours for the whole summer.
Brian Boccio, head custodian at Nonnewaug High School, says that the seasonal employees are asked to help clean and reset the classrooms prior to the upcoming school year and are responsible for a number of tasks day to day.
“The students are expected to work ahead of the floor, vents, and dismantling crews to maintain smooth operations,” Boccio said. “They clean desks, whiteboards, and furniture, and once they’re done with one room, they move on to the next. They also clean bathrooms, and take trash out either in the morning or at the end of the day.”
Eli Brochu, a 2023 Nonnnewaug graduate, says that this job is good to gain experience for a full time job.
“From this job, I expect to gain real-world experience at working a full-time job,” Brochu said. “In the past I have worked at other jobs, but never got to work a full 40-hour week.”
Emma Yakavonis, a senior at Nonnewaug, was a summer custodian last year and is returning to the job this summer. She says that while the job may seem like it takes up a lot of time, it’s not bad compared to other work.
“My summer is actually not that busy,” Yakavonis said. “I work 40 hours a week but I get off at 3 p.m., so I still have most of my day. I also have weekends off.”
Boccio also says that students are, for the most part, productive and respectful during the job and that they always do what they are needed to do to get the job done.
“We’ve had a few students over the years who have been better than others, but for the most part we’ve been very fortunate with having good kids come in and wanting to work,” Boccio said. “There’s been a couple who have probably spent more time on their phones than they should’ve, but for the most part they’re very good and do what they are needed to do.”
