This fall trimester, the HAM (Heroes Around Me) Club had the opportunity to speak with members of the grounds crew and observe their work firsthand. At not yet seven in the morning, we stepped into the grounds crew headquarters behind the Jack. Gabriel Starczewski, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, warmly welcomed us and introduced us to the crew. Mr. Starczewski explained, “The grounds crew takes care of everything you see as you drive onto Berkshire School’s campus. But we also handle certain processes that help the campus run.”
Wanting to experience the crew’s daily tasks firsthand, the HAM members each grabbed a camera and hopped onto a maintenance truck, shadowing the crew around campus for “morning chores”. Some crew members collected trash from the dorms and academic buildings, bringing it to the back of the Jack to be compressed and transferred away. We were shocked by the amount of compost from the dining hall, dozens of bagels visible through the plastic of the huge trash bags. Other crew members blew leaves off the lawn or checked the water system. The hay stacks from the fall festival hayride were neatly stacked, waiting to be used for lawn maintenance.
As we made our way around campus, we saw it slowly awaken, the sun peeking from behind the storm clouds, birds chirping, and students heading to breakfast. The grounds crew worked through their tasks efficiently, joking and talking as they worked. We were amazed at how much work could be done in an hour, and only then did we realize that they did these tasks every day, rain or shine, so that we could wake up to a clean and beautiful campus.
Our talk with Mr. Starczewski gave us insight into recent developments on the grounds crew, such as the use of robotic lawn mowers. According to Mr. Starczewski, “We’ve had hiccups with scheduling—sometimes they mow during practice. We’ve also had technical issues with the placement of charging stations and satellite signal strength. But overall, everyone’s been very happy with the results.” The mowers benefit grass quality—they trim the fields slightly every day instead of cutting a lot off at once. “After the first year, our fields are in better shape than they’ve been,” Mr. Starczewski concluded proudly.
We also talked about seasonal work. In the fall, the grounds crew focuses on clearing leaves, while in the winter, they set up snow fences to prevent snow from drifting onto major roads and pathways. Summer is the busiest season, as dorms are modified and upgraded. Mr. Starczewski appreciates these different work experiences under the Mountain, believing that “every season has its blessing.”
Reflecting on the relationship between the grounds crew and the rest of the Berkshire community, Mr. Starczewski shared that the crew genuinely enjoys working on campus. He noted the sense of camaraderie and friendly competition among the team, and appreciated that goodwill runs throughout the community. “At Berkshire,” he said, “the lines between the grounds crew and the faculty and students are blurred.”
This amazing group of people takes care of everything on Berkshire’s campus, keeping it running smoothly and maintaining facilities and terrain that wear down over time. We may not be fully aware of the extent of their work, and even though we are grateful, we do not always take the opportunity to connect with them or learn more about their experiences. This talk, however, offered us such an opportunity. We have to look more closely into the grounds crew’s passion for their work, a passion that has brought them together as a close-knit, dedicated team. They maintain a careful balance between their work and the campus environment, striving to make our campus cleaner, more beautiful, and more pleasant to live on while respecting and preserving its original, natural beauty, including the plants and landscape.
After learning about their stories and tasks, we are reminded of the importance of showing respect and gratitude in everyday ways. As Mr. Starczewski suggested, “As simple as a wave or a hello; it really means a lot. Picking up after dogs, picking up trash, and putting equipment back after games all help us do our jobs more efficiently.” By starting small, we can make their work a little easier and brighten their day with a simple smile—just as they brighten our entire campus.
