As parents, when we think about our children’s education, our minds often go straight to the classroom. We think of the math lessons, the reading circles, and the wonderful teachers who guide them. But if you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you realize that the school day actually relies on a massive team of dedicated individuals working behind the scenes.
The first week of March is Classified Staff Appreciation Week, and it is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the people who, quite literally, make school happen.
As a Beaverton School District parent, I know from my own personal experience at Errol Hassell Elementary hat schools work and students learn with Classified Employees on the job.
It’s true. Think about the journey of a single school day.
For many of our students, a classified staff member is the very first smiling face they see in the morning. Our bus drivers do so much more than navigate traffic; they drive students to and from school safely, ensuring the day starts and ends securely.
Once they arrive, the school building is ready for them because of our incredible custodial and maintenance teams. They keep our schools safe and clean, raise the flag out front, and maintain the environment where our students grow.
Step inside the front office, and you’ll find the people who keep the school running smoothly. From answering phones and delivering mail to bandaging scraped knees and calling parents when a student is sick, they are the central nervous system of our community.
Throughout the day, our children are fueled by the nutrition services team who prepare and serve meals with care, ensuring every student has the energy to focus and learn. We all know that a visit to the library with the librarian helps spark a love for reading.
And perhaps most importantly, classified staff are there for the emotional and academic support of our student. Whether they are paraprofessionals who assist students with special needs, recess monitors keeping play safe, or hall monitors offering a kind word, these staff members do something vital: they mentor students.
They are the trusted adults who tie shoes, open milk cartons, listen to stories, and offer encouragement when a task feels too hard.
To our secretaries, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, librarians, and educational assistants: Thank you.
Thank you for being the glue that holds our school together. Thank you for the “invisible” work you do every day that makes the “visible” learning possible. We see you, we appreciate you, and we know that our school is a better place because you are in it.
How You Can Help: During Classified Staff Appreciation Week (March 2-6), when you see a classified staff member, please take a moment to say thank you for all they do.
If you would like to make a special gesture, please consider making a gift to Beaverton Education Foundation in honor of our classified staff. We will send a personal card letting them know a gift was made in their honor by you.