This summer, The Ashkin Group along with ISSA, the worldwide cleaning association, and the Healthy Schools Campaign will launch their Custodial Training Project in honor of Green Apple Day of Service. Green Apple Day of Service is a worldwide initiative of the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Center for Green Schools.
 
The initiative is designed to work with students, teachers, parents, businesses, organizations, and the community at large to host a wide range of service projects to improve the conditions, cleanliness, and health of school facilities.
 
Since its inception in 2012, it has grown significantly, with more than 3,800 community-sponsored events held in 43 countries, involving more than 300,000 volunteers in 2014's Day of Service.
 
"The focus of our project this year is to recognize and encourage the training of school custodians," says Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group. "With more than a quarter of all Americans entering a school building each day, it is vitally important that these facilities be cleaned as effectively and environmentally responsibly as possible."
 
According to Ashkin, some of the key goals in honor of this years Green Apple Day of Service are the following:
 • Reminding students, parents, and school administrators of the crucial role custodial workers play in keeping schools clean and healthy
 • Reviewing current cleaning tasks, procedures, and products used to clean schools and introducing systems that may be more effective, healthier for the cleaning worker, and safer for the environment
 • Instructing administrators and custodial workers on ways to protect the health and safety of the cleaning worker
 • Reviewing current Green Cleaning products and procedures used in those schools already using a Green Cleaning strategy to ensure products and procedures are performed properly
 • Honoring schools and school districts that have implemented measures to keep their schools become Greener and healthier

"As we get going, we are encouraging school administrators, cleaning professionals, and especially jan/san distributors to get involved with this program," adds Ashkin. "They can do so simply by visiting www.greenapple.org/greencleaning and selecting the school(s) they would like to help.  Together we really can make a difference."

It is easy to get involved in the ISSA, The Healthy School Campaign, and The Ashkin Group Green Apple Day of Service program for schools. Follow this link for more information and to get involved.