Since its inception in 1985, National Custodian Day takes place Oct. 2 each year and offers an opportunity to appreciate the custodians who work hard to keep facilities clean, sanitary and maintained.

PTO Today shared a few ways that parent teacher organizations (PTO) can celebrate their school’s custodians this Friday, including gifts, messages from students, thank-you banners, videos from students and staff members, snacks, meals and new office chairs. Most importantly, PTOs were encouraged to include custodians in project planning year round and thank custodians after extra school events.

Additionally, National Today offers three ways to best honor the spirit of National Custodian Day:

• Do something nice for a custodian: Bake a cake, grab a gift card, or write a thank you card!
• Commend your custodian to their supervisor: Contact their supervisor and let them know how much you appreciate your custodian’s hard work.
• Organize an office potluck: Bonus points if you can turn the festivities into a surprise as the custodians walk into the potluck party!

Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) also is celebrating the fifth year of the Behind the Scenes of Clean initiative ahead of Oct. 2, recognizing the professionals who help keep facilities operating every day. This year, RCP will host 11 appreciation events nationwide, personally recognizing around 1,250 custodial and facility professionals for their contributions to communities across the country. At each event, custodial and facility teams will be recognized through appreciation gatherings celebrating the often-unseen work that keeps facilities running every day. Events will take place across the U.S., including Mooresville, North Carolina; Atlanta; Orlando; Chicago and Naples, Florida, where local teams will be recognized for their service and contributions.

“Behind the Scenes of Clean has grown into a meaningful tradition of gratitude,” said Robert Posthauer, president, commercial segment of Newell Brands. “Behind every workplace, school, hospital and public space are dedicated professionals whose contributions are often unseen, but always essential. We are proud to celebrate the people whose hard work helps communities function every day and to thank them in person for the impact they make.”

Early-bird registration is now open for the 2027 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, April 12-13 in Washington, D.C. Register early and secure your spot at the premier advocacy fly-in for the cleaning and facility solutions industry.

Hosted by ISSA, the two-day summit brings industry leaders from across the country to Washington to learn, connect, and advocate for policies that strengthen the industry.

Day One: Learn, Connect & Celebrate
Get insider policy briefings, sharpen your advocacy skills through hands-on training, network with industry leaders and celebrate the industry’s accomplishments at the second annual International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner.

Day Two: Take the Industry’s Voice to Capitol Hill
Put your training into action by meeting face-to-face with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for policies that support your business, workforce and industry.

Why attend?

• Make an impact by advocating directly with your congressional delegation.
• Get ahead of policy changes that could affect your cleaning business.
• Hear from Washington insiders and policy experts.
• Build your advocacy skills through practical, hands-on training and experience.
• Connect with industry leaders from across the country.
• Celebrate the industry at the International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner.

Visit issa.com/cas to learn more and take advantage of early-bird rates while they last!