Video by Nick Wilson.

Sai Sailaja Seshadri

staff writer

@saisailu97

Whether it’s at a football game or lunch time every day, students at Coppell High School have fun with their friends. They laugh, talk and eat. However, when all is said and done, they leave without thinking about the mess they made at the stadium or at their lunch table.

The janitors at CHS are the ones that are often forgotten. Whether it is cleaning up between lunches, after school or at the end of a football game – they are always there picking up after the students. However, they are often not given the credit they deserve.

CHS head custodian Rudis Argueta is very dedicated to his job and works as hard as he can every single day.

“We have to protect each person here, the students, teachers, parents, visitors,” Argueta said. “We take heart in that nobody gets sick.”

While many students are quick to leave their trash around the school, there are also others who believe that CHS as a community can do more to help the janitors.

“It shouldn’t be hard for people to pick up after themselves, and we are not little kids anymore.” senior Ariel Jun said. “It puts more unnecessary work and pressure on the janitors.”

The most hectic time of day for the custodial staff is during lunches. In between the three lunches, they have less than five minutes to clean up the whole cafeteria. This includes picking up the trash, wiping down the tables and sweeping the floors.

Students who eat in the halls and classrooms tend to leave behind trash, and not only does this cause the janitors to have to work extra, it also increases the pest problem around the school. Due to this, many teachers have implemented policies regarding food and drinks in their classrooms.

“It irritates me when students leave trash behind, and when they are asked about it, they say that they are just giving the janitors work to do, that it is their job to clean it up,” English teacher Kim Thibodeaux said. “It is up to every teacher whether if they want to enforce rules regarding food in the classroom but they should make sure the classrooms are cleaned up each day before the janitors come in.”

While many students feel that teachers banning food is not needed, or look for loophole to get around the rule, others believe that it is helpful.

“Some people might think the ban on food is harsh, but I think it is actually pretty useful.” Jun said. “Since kids are not able to take responsibility for cleaning up after themselves, teachers have to enforce these rules.”

With the amount of trash increasing every day, administration has decided to implement new rules. Students who leave trash in the hallways or the pit will no longer be allowed sit there during school hours, including during lunch.

“This issue has been building up, and there is so much trash around the schools, especially the pit [main hallway area] and the small commons,” assistant principal Jeremy Varnell said. “There is such a giant mess during lunches, and it is hard for the janitors to keep the tables sanitary, and there is not even enough time in between lunches to take care of the trash on the floors.”