Connie Klund, a custodial veteran with Jefferson City Public Schools, was among custodians in the school district recognized Tuesday as part of National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day.
Klund, of Jamestown, works the 1:30-10 p.m. shift at the district's central office. She said she first started at Simonsen 9th Grade Center - 10 years ago in February - and after about a year, started working at Thorpe Gordon Elementary School.
She's going on three years at the central office.
The people are her favorite part of the job, she said. "It just really feels good to know they recognize the custodians," she added of what the surprise recognition Tuesday afternoon meant for her.
"Jefferson City Public Schools Custodial workers operate behind the scenes and are often under-appreciated for the hard work they do day after day keeping our schools and buildings clean and well-maintained," according to a district news release said. "While delivering outstanding services and running a well-maintained building, they contribute to important first impressions and the success of our district."
JCPS encouraged people to thank a custodial worker Tuesday and visited schools to give custodians superhero capes, masks, an "I'm a School Custodian. What's YOUR Superpower?" certificate and food coupons.
Public relations manager Amy Berendzen said there are 77 custodians across the district, according to the JCPS human resources department.
While not all custodians got a superhero cape and mask through personal visits during the day because of their schedules, everyone would receive the certificate and coupons, Berendzen said.
The color of Klund's pink cape has an extra layer of meaning because she's a breast cancer survivor, she added.
When it comes to custodians in capes being recognized as superheroes, Klund also has a sidekick in the profession - her husband, Bill, is a fellow JCPS custodian at West Elementary School.