WOODBURY – With Nonnewaug’s graduation set to commence in just under a month, campus is buzzing with NHS’ grounds crew ensuring every detail is impeccable, yet this attention to detail is a year round endeavor for Region 14’s custodial staff and landscaping classes. This team of care takers play an essential role in maintaining the outdoor areas of all of the schools in Region 14.

The district’s custodial staff does far more than just keeping the interiors of our spaces ready for students but they also work in ensuring that outdoor spaces are not only visually appealing but also safe and functional for students, staff, and visitors. 

Their work involves a variety of tasks, each contributing to the overall well-being of the school’s grounds.

One of the primary duties of a NHS’ groundskeepers is to mow and trim the fields, preparing them for action. 

“It’s important to keep our playing fields and courts in top condition—not just to prevent injuries, but also to ensure a high-quality experience,” said Nick Sheikh, veteran NHS coach and faculty member adds. Sheikh has coached a variety of sports on campus, ranging from tennis to girls soccer, noting the unique environments NHS custodians care for. “Our facilities are among the better ones in the league, which is great because it gives our athletes a sense of pride in their home venue. The staff is often shorthanded and has a lot on their plate, but they do a great job making things happen.”

Following 2019’s campus renovation, NHS’ facilities went from merely mediocre to exemplary. Thanks to R14’s custodial team, keeping these fields and surfaces shining is a point of pride. 

“In the past, the fields at Nonnewaug High School weren’t in the best shape, but now we have some of the nicest fields in the Berkshire League,”  states Joshua Kornblut, Nonnewaug JV boys soccer coach. Kornblut has paced the sidelines for years and appreciates campus’ conditions. “Kevin Rodgers [groundskeeper]  does a phenomenal job keeping them in top condition.”

In addition to lawn care, alongside the groundskeepers are the landscaping classes in the agriscience, who share responsibility for planting and maintaining landscaping at NHS. These students plant flowers, shrubs, and trees that enhance the beauty of the school environment.

“In class, every day, we go outside to maintain the fields. We take care of the entire property as part of our class, ” said Jonathan Eschmann, a senior in landscaping at NHS. “Recently, we seeded the entire front yard using the slit-seater for the first time, which was really exciting.”

Ensuring that all the schools in Reg 14 look their best, Kevin Rodgers is often tasked with keeping campus pristine, though few students ever have the chance to recognize his work as he’s the one taking care of all the fields, lawns, and much more. 

“I’m responsible for all four schools, so my duties are pretty diverse,” Rodger’s adds. Rodgers has been tending to R14’s grounds for over a decade. “I handle everything from maintaining the sports fields and managing outside garbage to weed whacking, lawn mowing, and setting up goals for soccer and field hockey in the fall. Basically, everything you see down here falls under my responsibilities.”

In regions where winter weather is harsh, groundskeepers also have the responsibility of snow removal. He cleared snow from walkways, parking lots, and athletic fields to ensure safe passage for students and staff. 

“We have to wrap some of the plants so they don’t get wind burn,” said daytime custodian Clayton Hilpertshauser who understands that there’s much more to the job than merely shoveling and salting walkways every winter. “Then we wait for the snow and hit it hard when it comes.”

While Hilpertshauser focuses on protecting the grounds from harsh weather, Rodgers emphasizes the importance of presentation and timing, especially when preparing for some of the major events at NHS.

“The biggest challenges I face are time constraints and unpredictable weather. When preparing for events like games or graduations, I make sure everything looks perfect,” said Rodgers. “For games, I’ll mow the fields, weed whack around the backstops, and repaint the lines. For graduation, it’s the same process—ensuring everything is pristine for the ceremony.”