Beloved Nayatt School Custodian Inspires Trust On Campus And Beyond

Bristol, RI — Back-to-school season brings a mix of excitement and nerves — for students, parents and staff alike. Thankfully, Bristol is home to everyday school heroes who help make the transition smoother and the school year a little brighter.

From teachers and tutors to bus drivers, cafeteria staff, crossing guards and more, these caring individuals bring steady support and positivity to our schools. To recognize their many contributions — big and small — Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to salute the unsung heroes of back-to-school.

This submission comes from Kristen Antonio, who nominated John Wilcox of Nayatt School.

What is the school hero’s name?

John Wilcox

Where does this school hero work?

Nayatt School

Please describe why this individual is a hero at your school.

Mr John’s role is officially a custodian but day to day he is much more than that. He begins and ends each day as the crossing guard at the busiest intersection approaching the school. During that time if he notices any unsafe behavior or challenges with the commute he will alert the District school resource officer who will then hold a meeting w the children who commute into school to review safety expectations. Along with being a custodian and crossing guard, Mr John will oftentimes be the receiver of dozens of high fives and fist bumps from students during lunch. The students trust Mr John and love seeing him in the school and outside at the crosswalk every day. As a custodian Mr John finds himself in and out of many classrooms in any given day while students are learning. On one particular day my son was hesitant to join the class in learning and was hiding his face at his desk. I had explained to Mr John in the morning that my son had taken a hard fall on his bike the day before and was self conscious about how swollen his lip and face were. Mr john offered to share a story with my son about a similar incident he experienced in elementary school to help him feel more comfortable joining the class.

How do you know the school hero you’re nominating?

I was a parent of a child at the school for many years and now work at the school.

What should your community know about this person?

Mr John is truly one in a million! From a custodian to a friend he makes our school a better place to be by caring deeply about his job. He is trusted, respected and loved by all.

What three words best describe the school hero?

Dedicated. Caring. Resourceful.

If you know a school hero who deserves recognition, we’d love to hear from you! Simply answer a few questions, and we’ll take care of the rest.

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