BURNABY, BC, Canada — A custodian at Capitol Hill Elementary School started a club three years ago to promote literacy and teach students social responsibility, according to the Burnaby News-Leader.
Fran DeTracie, a 21-year veteran custodian whose job begins when students leave for the day, started the Junior Custodian Club as a way to liven her quiet evenings cleaning the desolate school, the story stated.
According to the story, she began leaving notes on the blackboards and desks praising students for cleaning up their areas; sometimes the notes would have spelling or grammatical errors for them to correct. On some occasions, when she was stripping wax off the floor, she would write questions into the old wax and students would write the answer back the next day before she’d clean it off.
DeTracie's janitorial closet is painted with notes from the students who reply to her overnight messages; there are so many that soon she’ll have to begin pasting them to the ceiling, the story noted.
DeTracie said: "These walls are quite an inspiration to me. Some of this work gets pretty monotonous and all I have to do is look up and get inspiration. The neat thing is to watch their literacy skills develop over the years."
Although most kids take the janitor for granted because they don’t see the work involved, her notes teach them about doing the right thing and taking more responsibility for their own situation, the story added.
According to Principal Susan Masson, she knew DeTracie and her club were a hit one day when a little boy came rushing up to her and said proudly, “I came to tell you there’s a mess in the washroom that needs to be cleaned up. I’m a junior custodian, you know.”
Monday, March 16, 2009
Proctor & Gamble's Susan Arnold retires
CINCINNATI — Susan Arnold, 29-year veteran and president of Proctor & Gamble's global business units, announced her retirement on Monday, according to Reuters.
Arnold, who turned 55 on Sunday, had long planned to retire once she reached that age, the story stated.
Arnold will remain with Proctor & Gamble and serve on a "special assignment" until her retirement becomes official on September 1, the story noted.
The company has decided not to fill Arnold's vacant role for the time being, the story added.
According to the story, three vice chairmen who reported to Arnold will now report directly to A.G. Lafley, Proctor & Gamble's CEO.
Arnold, who turned 55 on Sunday, had long planned to retire once she reached that age, the story stated.
Arnold will remain with Proctor & Gamble and serve on a "special assignment" until her retirement becomes official on September 1, the story noted.
The company has decided not to fill Arnold's vacant role for the time being, the story added.
According to the story, three vice chairmen who reported to Arnold will now report directly to A.G. Lafley, Proctor & Gamble's CEO.
San José City Hall receives LEED-EB Platinum certification
SAN JOSÉ, CA — They city today announced that City Hall has been Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certified, according to the Silicon Beat.
The certification falls under the United States Green Building Council's LEED-EB classification for existing buildings, the story stated.
The LEED-EB Platinum certification was achieved through energy conservation, reduced water use, a reduction and diversion of waste, a healthier indoor environment and the purchasing of green cleaning products and office supplies, the story noted.
The City of San José has a total of 700,000 square feet of green building space, something that Mayor Reed would like to increase to 50 million square feet by 2022, the story added.
The certification falls under the United States Green Building Council's LEED-EB classification for existing buildings, the story stated.
The LEED-EB Platinum certification was achieved through energy conservation, reduced water use, a reduction and diversion of waste, a healthier indoor environment and the purchasing of green cleaning products and office supplies, the story noted.
The City of San José has a total of 700,000 square feet of green building space, something that Mayor Reed would like to increase to 50 million square feet by 2022, the story added.
Core Products Company featured on television show
CANTON, TX — Core Products Company proudly announces their partnership with Planet Green, a subsidiary of The Discovery Network, and specifically with the television show Wa$ted!, reality series that makes shrinking your ecological footprint appealing and virtually effortless, according to a press release.
Core’s signature Green Seal-certified product, Hydroxi Pro® Concentrate, was used during a recent green makeover of a New Jersey fire station as a viable, green alternative to a traditional, caustic product, the release stated.
Core’s President Brent Crawford said: "When you hear the words, ‘environmental, ecological or green,’ we normally think of energy, water conservation and transportation consumption. There are many layers of ‘being green’ and the green cleaning concept is sometimes lost. I am thrilled to part of and support the program Wa$ted!, which educates the public about ways to sustain lifestyles in consideration of the future and incorporates green cleaning as a viable part of the green movement."
The specific episode where Hydroxi Pro Concentrate is used will be aired May 6, 2009, the release noted.
Check out www.planetgreen.com for more about the show.
To find out what channel in your area carries Wa$ted!, go to http://planetgreen.channelfinder.net.
Core’s signature Green Seal-certified product, Hydroxi Pro® Concentrate, was used during a recent green makeover of a New Jersey fire station as a viable, green alternative to a traditional, caustic product, the release stated.
Core’s President Brent Crawford said: "When you hear the words, ‘environmental, ecological or green,’ we normally think of energy, water conservation and transportation consumption. There are many layers of ‘being green’ and the green cleaning concept is sometimes lost. I am thrilled to part of and support the program Wa$ted!, which educates the public about ways to sustain lifestyles in consideration of the future and incorporates green cleaning as a viable part of the green movement."
The specific episode where Hydroxi Pro Concentrate is used will be aired May 6, 2009, the release noted.
Check out www.planetgreen.com for more about the show.
To find out what channel in your area carries Wa$ted!, go to http://planetgreen.channelfinder.net.
Dow and Rohm & Haas reach agreement again
MIDLAND, MI — After more than a month-long stall in deliberations, Dow Chemical Company has once again agreed to acquire specialty chemical manufacturer Rohm & Haas for the original price of $15.3 billion in cash, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The agreement was reached after Haas trusts in Philadelphia and hedge-fund operator John Paulson, the two largest shareholders in Rohm & Haas, put up $3 billion to help close the deal, the story stated.
The settlement says the merger must close April 1, and also settles the lawsuit Rohm & Haas filed in Delaware's Court of Chancery in late January seeking to force Dow Chemical to honor its July merger agreement, the story noted.
Dow chief executive Andrew Liveris said: "The next three weeks will have to drive how we put this together. [We are] relooking at how we put this model together because of the new reality [of a bad economy]."
Dow announced that it would cut an additional 3,500 jobs from the combined corporate entity and close research labs and plants, the story added.
The agreement was reached after Haas trusts in Philadelphia and hedge-fund operator John Paulson, the two largest shareholders in Rohm & Haas, put up $3 billion to help close the deal, the story stated.
The settlement says the merger must close April 1, and also settles the lawsuit Rohm & Haas filed in Delaware's Court of Chancery in late January seeking to force Dow Chemical to honor its July merger agreement, the story noted.
Dow chief executive Andrew Liveris said: "The next three weeks will have to drive how we put this together. [We are] relooking at how we put this model together because of the new reality [of a bad economy]."
Dow announced that it would cut an additional 3,500 jobs from the combined corporate entity and close research labs and plants, the story added.
BSCAI and ISSA will co-locate trade shows starting in 2010
LINCOLNWOOD, IL — The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) and its alliance partner, the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) announced this past weekend that the two organizations have entered into an agreement in which the BSCAI convention will co-locate with ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America, starting in 2010, according to a press release.
The co-location agreement was made during BSCAI's 2009 tradeshow, held in Chicago, IL, and is another step in the ongoing alliance between the two associations, the release stated.
ISSA President Bob Stahurski said: "This day has been a long time coming for both our associations, and we welcome this opportunity to work with BSCAI as we strive to bring together all channel partners of the global cleaning community. The co-location of both our events will facilitate better supply-chain relationships for all who attend."
In 2010, ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America will be held Tuesday through Friday, November 9-12, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, while BSCAI will co-locate its annual convention, Thursday through Sunday, November 11-14, the release noted.
BSCAI members will be eligible to attend the ISSA/INTERCLEAN event at member rates and BSCAI will no longer host an independent exhibition; however, it will continue to offer sponsorship and other vendor-partner programs, the release added.
According to the release, both organizations have made it clear that the co-location agreement impacts only the events in question and that ISSA and BSCAI will remain independent associations, serving the needs of their respective members in ways that are unique to each.
BSCAI President Stan Doobin said: "BSCAI and ISSA formed this alliance in order to capitalize on the strengths of our respective organizations. Our leadership and staff have met in recent weeks and months to formalize an agreement and develop a working model that will enhance the networking, educational, and professional services provided to our respective membership and business partners."
The co-location agreement was made during BSCAI's 2009 tradeshow, held in Chicago, IL, and is another step in the ongoing alliance between the two associations, the release stated.
ISSA President Bob Stahurski said: "This day has been a long time coming for both our associations, and we welcome this opportunity to work with BSCAI as we strive to bring together all channel partners of the global cleaning community. The co-location of both our events will facilitate better supply-chain relationships for all who attend."
In 2010, ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America will be held Tuesday through Friday, November 9-12, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, while BSCAI will co-locate its annual convention, Thursday through Sunday, November 11-14, the release noted.
BSCAI members will be eligible to attend the ISSA/INTERCLEAN event at member rates and BSCAI will no longer host an independent exhibition; however, it will continue to offer sponsorship and other vendor-partner programs, the release added.
According to the release, both organizations have made it clear that the co-location agreement impacts only the events in question and that ISSA and BSCAI will remain independent associations, serving the needs of their respective members in ways that are unique to each.
BSCAI President Stan Doobin said: "BSCAI and ISSA formed this alliance in order to capitalize on the strengths of our respective organizations. Our leadership and staff have met in recent weeks and months to formalize an agreement and develop a working model that will enhance the networking, educational, and professional services provided to our respective membership and business partners."
Putnam County Schools eliminate custodial staff
COOKEVILLE, TN — In an effort to lessen the nearly $750,000 deficit by the end of the fiscal year, Putnam County Schools officials have cut the custodial staff, according to WTVF-TV.
Last week, all employees except teachers were forced to take a two-day furlough without pay, while some 30 custodians were laid off, the story stated.
Steve Maxwell, a 33-year veteran custodian at Northeast Elementary School, said: "It's like a home away from home, do you know what I'm saying? You know, to be laid off, put out of work with no insurance just hurt, you know? When I took this job I thought this job will always be there because there are always kids, but you get fooled."
The district, realizing that cleaning the schools is a necessity, has contracted GCA Services Group Inc. to provide janitorial services, the story noted.
GCA has voiced their intention to hire as many of the old district custodians as possible, the story added.
Last week, all employees except teachers were forced to take a two-day furlough without pay, while some 30 custodians were laid off, the story stated.
Steve Maxwell, a 33-year veteran custodian at Northeast Elementary School, said: "It's like a home away from home, do you know what I'm saying? You know, to be laid off, put out of work with no insurance just hurt, you know? When I took this job I thought this job will always be there because there are always kids, but you get fooled."
The district, realizing that cleaning the schools is a necessity, has contracted GCA Services Group Inc. to provide janitorial services, the story noted.
GCA has voiced their intention to hire as many of the old district custodians as possible, the story added.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)