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There’s many fantastic reasons to add to your bank of custodian appreciation ideas.
Before we get into them, let me tell you about my personal inspiration.
I had the best relationship with one of our school’s custodians, Ralph.
He was a teddy bear of a guy who never hesitated to help our PTA out, no matter the ask, and he delivered always with a smile.
When my kids moved up to the upper elementary school, Ralph got transferred there too.
Then my kids moved on to the middle school, and you guessed it, Ralph was transferred there as well.
That gave me lots of opportunities to shower him with love and appreciation over the years, and I was happy to take every one of them.
Here’s what all those years with Ralph drilled into me.
Custodians literally keep the lights on at school.
They handle some of the grossest tasks in the building, and their efforts often go unremarked on.
They deserve so much more.
So let’s dive into some custodian appreciation ideas my PTA has used, plus a few extras worth stealing, so your custodians get showered with the love they’ve earned.
Know the Custodial Schedule Before You Plan Anything
Most schools have more than one custodian, and they don’t all work at the same time.
They work in shifts, so your daytime custodian and your evening custodian may barely cross paths.
That matters when you’re planning a staff appreciation luncheon.
Not all of your custodians will be there, because some of them haven’t even started their shift yet.
Skip this step and you end up thanking half the team, which is not ideal.
So before you plan anything, ask the head custodian which shifts are working and which day and time would be best.
If you’re also planning the bigger staff event, my guide on how to plan staff appreciation events covers the rest of the details.
Custodian Appreciation Ideas Your PTO Can Pull Off
Some of these come straight from my own PTA days.
The rest are ideas that I didn’t get to, but are worth keeping as a custodian appreciation option.
Make Sure Every Shift Gets Fed
One year, our PTA solved the shift problem with to go containers.
The custodians who were on duty during the luncheon made up a lunch for the night time custodians to enjoy later.
Nobody got left out.
Another year, we arranged a custodian only dinner.
It was so easy to pull off.
We checked with the head custodian for the best day and time, then called our local pizza place and had dinner sent over.
Yet another year, we brought in doughnuts and coffee for the custodial crew.
The custodians loved the special treatment.
If you’re not sure how much food to order, my post on how much food to serve large groups takes the guesswork out.
Take Care of the Late Night Crew
Our high school did something I loved that was incredibly easy to pull off on the regular.
The custodians who worked late after the football and basketball games got extra concessions food and drinks, right along with the PTA volunteers.
Those custodians were putting in the same long nights as the volunteers, so it only made sense.
You can never go wrong doing something extra for this group of dedicated school employees.
Say It With Words
Food is wonderful, but words matter too.
Here are a few ways to put your thanks where custodians will actually see it.
- Have students make cards and notes, then deliver them in person.
- Create a big banner full of messages from students and staff, and hang it near where the custodians clock in.
- Decorate the custodian office door and hallway with positive notes and drawings.
- Print a certificate of appreciation and have students, teachers, and the principal sign it.
- Give them a social media shout-out with a photo and a few fun facts, after checking that they’re comfortable with it and your school allows it.
One more thing… learn their names if you don’t know them already.
It costs nothing, and it might be the most meaningful gesture on this list.
Gifts That Land
A gift card for coffee or lunch at a local spot is an easy win.
So is a basket of snacks and little treats left somewhere the custodian will find it, like their office or supply closet.
Watching your PTO budget?
Many of the ideas in my roundup of budget friendly appreciation ideas work for custodians too.
Everyday Ways to Show It
You don’t need a special occasion to appreciate your custodians.
National Custodian Day is October 2, which makes a nice reminder, but these small things count any day of the year.
- Encourage kids to say thank you when they pass a custodian in the hall.
- Include custodians every time your PTO thanks the school staff.
- Ask before planning an event that needs extra setup or cleanup, so you never add to their workload by surprise.
- Mention their help to the principal, so the praise travels up the chain.
If you’re the staff appreciation chair, my tips for being the best PTO staff appreciation chair will help you work custodians into the whole year’s plan.
Custodian Appreciation FAQ
When is National Custodian Day?
National Custodian Day falls on October 2 every year.
It’s a great nudge to plan something, but your custodians deserve appreciation all year long.
Any week on your calendar works for these ideas.
What are some custodian appreciation ideas on a small budget?
Student cards, a signed banner, a decorated door, and a certificate cost next to nothing.
A custodian only dinner is easy to arrange with a single phone call.
Even a sincere thank you in the hallway counts.
How do you include custodians who work different shifts?
Ask the head custodian which shifts are working and when would be the best time.
Then pack to go containers from your luncheon for the later shift, or plan a separate custodian only meal.
Our PTA has done both.
What do you give a school custodian as a thank you?
Food is a great place to start, whether that’s a pizza dinner, a packed lunch, or a basket of snacks.
Gift cards to a local coffee shop or restaurant also go over well, along with a card signed by students and staff.
When you can, ask the head custodian what they would enjoy most.
Over to You
We covered why shifts matter, how to feed every custodian (day and night), and a handful of ways to say thank you with words and small gifts.
Now it’s your turn to put one of them into action.
This week, text or email your head custodian and ask which shifts are working and what day and time would be best for something special.
Then pick one idea from this post, whether it’s to go lunches, a custodian-only pizza dinner, or a banner full of student notes, and put it on your calendar.
Go shower your own Ralph with love.
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Last update on 2026-10-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
