Behind every clean hallway in Alpine School District is a dedicated heart shaping the culture and safety of our schools.
In honor of National School Custodian Appreciation Day on Oct. 2, Alpine School District is celebrating Head Custodian Chris Atherton of Lake Mountain Middle School and Head Custodian Kaden Kloeppel of Sage Hills Elementary for their extraordinary commitment to student safety and school culture. On any given day, these dedicated employees ensure that their schools remain secure, operational and welcoming environments where students can thrive.
"Chris saved a kid's fingers this week," said Lake Mountain Middle Assistant Principal Joy Peterson while sharing how Atherton jumped into action during a shop class accident. "We had a kid, you know, have a shop accident, and he helped to bandage the kid up and get him to the hospital."
Atherton functions as a vital, steady pillar within the Lake Mountain Middle community. Beyond serving as a campus first responder, he coaches basketball and steps up whenever the school needs extra support. "He takes care of our building and he's always here," Peterson said. "He does have a good relationship with the kids."
Peterson noted that Atherton brings both dependable oversight and genuine warmth to his role every day. "He's like a stern grandpa a little bit, when he's like 'get off my lawn' that kind of grandpa," Peterson joked, "but when he talks to the kids, he jokes with them."
At Sage Hills Elementary, Kloeppel brings that same spirit of active involvement and care. "Kaden consistently goes above and beyond the responsibilities of his role," noted Sage Hills staff member Terri Rigby. "Whether it’s taking time during lunch to talk with students and build meaningful relationships or jumping on stage to participate in faculty performances, he is a vital, energetic part of our community’s culture."
Kloeppel’s commitment to safety and stewardship extends far beyond normal school hours. "It’s not unusual for Kaden to swing by the building on weekends on his own time, just to double-check that everything is safe and secure," Rigby said. She added that even during difficult moments like campus floods, "he tackles the work with a smile on his face and an upbeat attitude that inspires everyone around him."
Through their daily actions, emergency responses and positive mentorship, staff members like Atherton and Kloeppel exemplify Alpine School District's culture of excellence. These two demonstrate the types of Custodian all ASD schools aim to have. Their tireless devotion gives parents peace of mind, knowing that dedicated professionals are actively safeguarding and uplifting our children every day.
Happy National Custodians Day to all of our hardworking custodians in Alpine School District!