Typically at this time of year, things can get a little hectic in some of the homes bordering the path around the Falls, especially if a member of the household has a graduation coming up. Graduations usually are occasions for family gatherings, and the place has to look just right.
There are other factors that can spark those gatherings. This is one of the busy travel times of the year, and that travel can often mean spending time with friends or relatives. It is easy to be a guest and a little more challenging to be a host.
As has been the tradition for a number of years, the OFHS Class of 50 Past, in this case the Class of 1964, will hold a reunion to coincide with the high school graduation. That may also result in a little spiffing up for hosting of guests from out of town.
Walking through school buildings at this time of year can be quite interesting as things wind down for the end of the school year. In some places teachers begin taking down bulletin boards and putting away things for summer cleaning a few weeks before the last day. When that happens, it can give the impression that things are finished, and no more learning needs to take place. As a result, teachers in our district are encouraged to keep things on display until the last minute.
Another thing that can happen is custodial care can tend to slip. With the summer cleaning set to begin in a few weeks, custodians might give a little less attention to the care of floors and other surfaces. A casual inspection of our schools shows that is not the case. In fact, special attention is given in a number of cases because of the guests coming into the building for year-end activities.
This special attention is taken to an extreme at Oconto Falls High School because of the many visitors who will be in the building at graduation. It may be the end of the school year, but the brass buttons are polished until they shine. The place will be a real showpiece.
One of the really nice features of the high school is the many interior display cases that were built to line the halls as part of the last addition and renovation project. Every department tries to outdo the others with displays of student work or other class-related materials.
Those people who walk the halls for exercise not only have healthier bodies as a result, but also have their minds stimulated as they check out the many displays along their walk. A slower walk and more time spent examining the contents of the display cases might not be healthier for the cardiovascular system, but it can prevent early onset of dementia.
The problem with a slower walk is that any little speck of dust in the display case might be noticed. With that concern in mind last week, master high school custodian Fonda Steffens was working the display cases with her dusting tool. At one point I observed her dusting with one hand and holding her cell phone in the other hand, consulting with a custodian in another building who had questions about summer floor refinishing.
Fonda is a perfectionist, and high school graduation is her “baby.” Nothing related to getting the building ready for the 2,000 visitors on that day happens without her approval and white glove inspection.
The building will look good, and she knows it. She flashes an outstanding smile when she gets a well-deserved compliment on the building appearance. Anyone who doubts that should give her a compliment and see what happens.
The truth is that each member of the buildings and grounds crew appreciates compliments. It’s just that she has been at it longer than anyone else. After all, when you’ve been doing something for over a quarter century, you have your craft down to a science.
There was a time when the buildings were completely shut down for the summer, things were moved into halls, and walking through the buildings at that time of year was like working through an obstacle course. Today, with all the summer activities going on in our buildings, that’s no longer the process. The buildings are “visitor friendly” most of the summer, especially at the high school. Being visitor friendly takes a little more work, but the compliments are worth it.
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