Custodians first line of defense vs. germs

WASHINGTON, March 31 (UPI) -- U.S. school custodians are on the front line against germs, say organizers of the Custodial Leaders for Environmental Awareness Nationwide awards.

The awards are an initiative of the American Cleaning Institute, formerly The Soap and Detergent Association, the National Education Association and NEA's Health Information Network, to place a spotlight on the importance of cleaning for health first and appearance second.

"Custodial professionals need to continue to lead the cleaning-for-health movement," Barry Crocker, a custodian at Nicholson Elementary School in Marietta, Ga., the top award recipient, says in a statement.

Crocker's cleaning practices are so effective he's been called on by the Cobb County School District to assist and retrain custodians in other schools.

To help keep infectious illness to a minimum, Crocker, his staff, and the students he's trained as lunchroom monitors clean lunch tables, wipe the seats and sweep the floor every time a class leaves the school lunch room so it's spotless and ready for the next class.

"These unsung heroes contribute to student learning by creating a safe, clean and healthy environment for students every day, an important role in helping to create great public schools for every student," Dennis Van Roekel, NEA president says.