USEFUL LINKS

Proctor and Gamble may have Mr. Clean, but Nicholson Elementary School knows it can now one-up the Fortune 500 company with Barry Crocker, Mr. C.L.E.A.N., "without those harsh chemicals," of course.  

Crocker, the head custodian at Nicholson, was recently named top recipient of the 2011 National C.L.E.A.N. Award, a program recognizing the contributions of school custodians to public health. Crocker received the honor for his leadership efforts in helping maintain a clean and healthy learning environment at Nicholson. The national Custodial Leaders for Environmental Advocacy Nationwide (C.L.E.A.N.) award is a joint initiative of the National Education Association (NEA), the NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) and the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). The program is designed to honor custodians who reflect the contributions of education support professionals to overall school health.

The C.L.E.A.N. award review panel included representatives from the National Association of School Nurses, the National Association of State
Boards of Education, the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, and the Parent Teacher Association. Mr. Crocker was selected as
top recipient from 30 qualifying application packages from across the U.S.

Nicholson Elementary School Head Custodian Barry Crocker was awarded the 2011 National C.L.E.A.N. Award. Crocker uses special cleaning equipment at the school that avoids use of almost all chemicals.

"I was shocked because I didn't even know my named had been turned in to be considered," said Crocker, who has been a custodian at Nicholson for 23 years. "We've moved towards a lot of environmentally friendly, green products instead of chemicals. We use them to clean floors and in spray bottles."

Nicholson Principal Wanda Shue and first-grade teacher Judy Stephen were responsible for sending in Crocker's name for consideration of the award. Shue said there is a reason Crocker was chosen over 30 others candidates.  

"Mr. Crocker leads by example and encourages students and staff alike to take pride in Nicholson Elementary," said Shue. "He demonstrates outstanding leadership in school and community cleanliness. We are very proud of our Mr. C.L.E.A.N!”

Crocker's option to chemicals has been changing over to a cleaning system that converts tap water into ionized water, a powerful cleaning product that has been used in locations from restaurants to food processing plants to large hotels. Over time, the ionized products have been developed for domestic and semi-industrial use. They use a water cell to apply a slight electrical charge to tap water. The charged water then passes through an ion exchange membrane which creates an oxygen-rich mix of positive and negative nano-bubbles. That ionized water can actually attract dirt and bacteria, and when sprayed carries a low-level electric field to the surface where the germs may be living. The theroy is a low-level electric field ruptures and kills germs, which can then be easily wiped away without leaving any chemical residue.

The head custodian said while the new equipment used for cleaning can be costly, the savings gained from not having to purchase chemicals make the newer way of cleaning a cost saver, as well. The only time a chemical is used at the school is as a disinfencent for cleanup after someone has gotten sick.

Stephen said she has been impressed with Crocker's work ethic and involvement in the school since she began teaching at Nicholson in 2007.

"He (Crocker) is part of everything we do," Stephen said. "He is involved in all the activities, keeps this place spotless and makes a difference in the building and education. I saw the entry form for the contest in an NEA (National Education Association) magazine and knew he fit the bill."  

Mr. Crocker will receive a $5,000 cash award, paid memberships to the NEA’s professional organizations, and an expenses-paid trip to formally receive the award at the NEA National Education Support Professional Conference, March 11-13 in Washington, D.C.