For Oxford resident Barbara Berlinger being a school custodian is more than cleaning up after hundreds of students on a daily basis.
It’s about talking with kids at lunch, opening their milk containers, giving them hugs when they need it and making sure they feed the fish every day.
These little extras are the reason Berlinger, the head custodian at Daniel Axford Elementary, is the Oxford school district’s nominee for the Oakland County Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award.
Given annually by the Oakland County School Boards Association, the award is designed to recognize school support staff ? custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, para-professionals, etc. ? who go above and beyond their normal duties.
‘I was really stunned to tell you the truth,? said Berlinger of her nomination. ‘I never really thought they would nominate me because there are so many wonderful people that work in this district.?
Berlinger has worked in the district for 21 years. She spent the first four years as bus driver. She then became a custodian at the high school for five years and from there went out to work a custodial split shift between Clear Lake and Daniel Axford elementaries.
She’s spent the last seven years working exclusively at DA. ‘This is the best building in the district,? she said. ‘I think because the little kids are so innocent.?
‘It’s just a happy place to be,? Berlinger added.
DA Principal Lydia Lopez Engel believes Berlinger is a big part of why her school is such a happy place.
In her nomination letter, Engel explained how Berlinger, on her own, bought two fish tanks for the main office, set them up and stocked them.
She then recruited a select group of students, whom she considers very special friends, to help her feed the fish on a daily basis. She refers to them as her ‘little fish feeder club.?
While feeding the fish, Berlinger spends several minutes chatting with the students about all sorts of things.
‘I try to take an interest in what they’re doing,? Berlinger said.
‘It has been an amazing thing to watch her interact and take these students under her wing,? Engel wrote. ‘They have grown in their self-esteem in ways we could not imagine. She cares deeply for them and they know it. They, in turn, loves her as well.?
‘She’s special to me because she’s nice to me. She gives me hugs when I am sad. She’s my friend,? said first-grader Joseph Wise, a member of the fish feeder club.
‘She’s so special to me because she feeds the fish with me and lets me feed the fish for her . . . I am one of the chosen ones,? said student Austin Sliter. ‘When I was feeling bad, she gave me a distress notebook for me to write in or draw in and that made me feel happy.?
Engel noted Berlinger also spends every lunch hour assisting the lunch room helpers.
‘Even though she is busy with her custodial responsibilities, she always finds time to sit down and talk with the students,? Engel wrote.
‘She opens milks for people. She even opens wrappers,? said student Luke Crain.
‘When I didn’t have a water bottle, she gave one to me,? said student Ricardo Rogers.
Engel noted ‘She has truly demonstrated that every person who works in a school can dramatically impact children. It does not matter what your job description is. Every person can touch the life of a child and make a difference.?
But if you really want to know why Barbara Berlinger was nominated for the Betty Campion award ? and deserves to win it ? just ask DA student Josh Green.
‘Miss Barb is a helper. She makes me feel happy. She give me treats and food. She’s nice. She cleans up so no one gets sick. If we’re sick, she takes us to the office. She lets us feed the fish. She gives me water. She loves me because she gives me hugs. That’s how I know she loves me.?
That endorsement alone makes Barbara Berlinger more of a winner than any award or plaque ever could.