More Than Just Tables: The Heart of Pit Crew
“The next time you see the Pit Crew at work, take a moment to appreciate what they do. Maybe even consider lending them a hand. Whether it’s in school, on the streets, or in our neighborhoods, keeping our environment clean is a job for all of us.'“
As I’m writing this article right now, I see a tissue on the floor. I see a Skittles wrapper. I also see a part of a pen lying there as well. We all have those students in our class who try to shoot some sort of object into the trash can, thinking it’s a basketball. Sometimes we make those shots, and sometimes we don’t. But when we miss, do we really bother to pick it up? Or do we just leave it there for the janitor to clean it up later?
That’s a problem.
Too often, when we see something on the floor or on a table, we assume someone else will pick it up. Maybe a teacher, a janitor, or another student. But 99% of the time, no one does. That food tray, that empty water battle, that napkin is left behind, waiting for someone else to take care of it. But what if we changed that mindset? What if we saw our space–whether it’s our classroom, our school, or our neighborhood–as something worth keeping clean?
A clean environment isn’t just about what happens inside the school. It reflects what happens outside of it, too. Throughout the Bronx, especially here in the Mott Haven Area, there’s no shortage of small businesses, mechanic shops, corner stores, grocery stores you name it. These places keep the neighborhood running, bringing in jobs, food, and opportunities.
But take a walk down the street, and you’ll also see something else-trash scraps, crushed cans, empty bottles, and food wrappers scattered across sidewalks and gutters. Leaves pile up, plastic bags get tangled up in fences, and no one really stops to do anything about it. Why? Because just like in school, we assume it’s someone else’s job.
But what happens when no one takes responsibility?
A clean community isn’t just about making things look nice–it’s about health, respect, and responsibility. When trash piles up, it attracts rodents, insects, and bacteria. It clogs storm drains, leading to flooding when it rains. It seeps into the environment, harming local wildlife and polluting the air we breathe. When sidewalks are littered, it sends a message that no one cares, making it easier for more trash to accumulate. It’s a cycle that continues until someone breaks it.
When people stop caring about their surroundings, it affects the entire neighborhood’s sense of pride and well-being. But when a community looks clean and well-kept, people are more likely to respect it, take care of it, and feel pride where they live.
But just keeping a community clean doesn’t just fall on the city’s sanitation workers or business owners–it’s something that requires effort from everyone. Imagine if every person took 3 seconds to pick up a piece of trash instead of walking past it. What if store owners, customers, and students all did their part? What if store owners slept in their storefronts every morning? Schools and students created clean-up groups to take care of their surroundings? What if there were more public trash cans, more recycling bins, and more people willing to use them? Small changes add up, and they start with everyday actions.
Some neighborhoods have already stepped up. Community clean-up events bring people to make a difference, one block at a time. Volunteers step up to sweep the streets, remove trash, and beautify public spaces. Some business owners start every morning by sweeping their storefronts, showing that they care about not just their business, but the entire community. And then there are the individuals–students, workers, and everyday people–who, without being asked, pick up litter because they simply want to see their neighborhood thrive. Recently the NYC Sanitation are going to be hosting volunteering events throughout April to July to clean up around the 5 boroughs (Sanitation Site).
Schools and local organizations have also stepped in to promote cleanliness. Some schools hold students-led initiatives where volunteers pick up trash around campus, teaching responsibility and teamwork. Community groups organize clean-up days, inviting neighbors to take pride in their shared spaces. And in some cities, businesses offer discounts to customers who return with recycled items or participate in eco-friendly programs.
A cleaner environment benefits everyone. It makes walking down the street more pleasant, helps local businesses attract more customers, and fosters a sense of pride in the place we call home. But the real question is: Are we still willing to take responsibility for it? At the end of the day, a clean school, just like a clean community doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with one person setting an example. It starts with changing the mindset that “someone else will do it.” It starts with teaching the next generation that cleanliness is everyone's responsibility. It takes a team. It takes effort. It takes people willing to step up instead of walking away from this problem.
When people see others taking action, they’re more likely to do the same. That’s how change happens. It starts with one person setting an example and inspiring others to follow.
Have you ever noticed a group of students staying behind in the lunchroom after breakfast and lunch? They were green stringed name tags with an image of a broom on the side. You might hear Ms. Jude call them to stay back and assist with cleaning, working alongside Mr. Heyes, to put up tables and tidy the space. That group of students in the Pit Crew–and their work often goes unnoticed, but it plays a crucial role in keeping the school environment clean and organized.
The Pit Crew is a dedicated team of student volunteers who take it upon themselves to ensure that the lunchroom is left in good condition after every meal. They wipe down tables, roll trash bins around to help students dispose of their trash properly, and make sure that the space is clean for the next use. Under the guidance of Mr. Heyes, they make sure tables are properly stored against the wall, maintaining order in the school’s busiest shared space. It might seem like a small task, but without their work, the lunchroom could quickly become a mess that disrupts the school day.
At first glance, cleaning up the lunchroom may seem like a simple task, but being part of the Pit Crew requires more than just wiping down tables and stacking benches on the wall. It takes teamwork, leadership, and responsibility qualities that extend beyond the lunchroom and into the community. When students volunteer for the Pit Crew, they’re not just keeping the school clean. They’re learning what it means to take ownership of their shared space, to care for their environment, and to contribute to something larger than themselves. In many ways, their efforts reflect the values of a strong, clean community–one where people respect their surroundings and take action instead of waiting for someone else to do it.
A 9th grader named Jayla is a member of the Pit Crew. She initially joined the Pit Crew for the perks, such as dress-down Fridays and skipping the lunch line. However, over time, she found a sense of accomplishment in her work. She recalled her first cleanup being easier during breakfast but quickly realizing that lunchtime cleanup could be much more challenging. Despite moments of frustration-such as dealing with piles of garbage or unpleasant messes left behind by students–she has grown over time as a Pit Crew worker. She encourages her peers to take responsibility for their trash. One thing she mentioned was she was a quiet worker earlier in the year. But she told me, “If I kept staying quiet, there wouldn’t be any changes in cleaning up at all. Now, there have been a few instances where I’ve had to remind students to throw out their trash.”
The impact of the Pit Crew is noticeable. Many students take more responsibility for cleaning up after themselves, making the overall process quicker and more efficient in the lunchroom. But what about in regular classroom environments? When you step into classrooms, there is still trash on the floor. Students walk over plastic wrappers of snacks in the classroom and don’t even bother to pick it up. A crumpled piece of paper, a half empty water bottle, or food wrappers become just another part of the scenery–overlooked and ignored. There are many classrooms we walk into, and there is always a desk with Takis dust, or a random soda bottle left behind as if someone else will deal with it.
We are used to having people tell us what to do. But what about taking accountability? What about taking actions just like the members of Pit Crew are doing? We shouldn’t need teachers to remind us to pick up and throw out our trash. We should know when to clean up after ourselves, not because someone is watching, but because it’s the right thing to do. At home, we wouldn’t leave our living rooms dirty with a water bottle lying on the floor or a crumbled from a water bottle tossed carelessly aside. So why is it acceptable in school? A school is more than just a place where we can learn–it’s a community, and communities thrive when people take responsibility for their spaces. We should look to the Pit Crew as a model for how to treat our environment, rather than viewing them as a group of student-janitors cleaning up after everyone else’s mess.
If we stop looking at the Pit Crew as a bunch of student-janitors, we can make a difference in keeping not only the lunchroom clean but also our classrooms. Cleanliness isn’t just about appearance; it’s about respect–for our peers, for our school, and for the people who work hard to maintain it. We need to remember that students aren’t the only ones using the building. The staff, families, and even funders walk through our halls every day. Imagine a parent visiting the school for a conference or an administrator touring the building. What impression do we leave when classrooms are cluttered with trash, desks are covered in crumbs, and hallways are littered with wrappers? A messy school sends a message of carelessness, while a clean one reflects pride and responsibility.
A clean school sets the tone for a clean community. Just like the Pit Crew ensures the lunchroom stays tidy, local communities thrive when residents, businesses, and schools work together to keep shared spaces clean. In areas like the Bronx, where businesses like mechanic shops line the streets, cleanliness isn't just about appearance–it’s about public health, safety, and community pride.
When people take responsibility for their environment, whether in a school or a neighborhood, it creates a ripple effect. Just as Pit Crew members encourage their peers to be mindful of their waste, community members who actively pick up litter, participate in clean-up events, or simply keep their storefronts tidy set positive examples for others.
The work of Pit Crew goes beyond cleaning–it’s about creating a culture of care. Their efforts encourage students to think twice before leaving a mess behind, just as a clean community inspires residents to take pride in their surroundings. It’s not about who's “assigned” to clean up; it’s about working together to make sure shared spaces are better for everyone. Jayla says, “Volunteering for the Pit Crew and writing for the Python Post can bring the community together to have awareness and support everyone’s needs.”
For students who are considering joining the Pit Crew in the future, Jayla emphasizes the importance of patience and self control. The role requires handling frustration without taking it out on others, and it teaches valuable skills in leadership and communication. She sees community service in a new light, recognizing the value of giving back and how small actions can lead to a larger change. Jayla summed up, “It’s very important to keep the PIT clean. I have grown closer bonds with the students and staff apart from the cleaning area of CompSci.”
The next time you see the Pit Crew at work, take a moment to appreciate what they do. Maybe even consider lending them a hand. Whether it’s in school, on the streets, or in our neighborhoods, keeping our environment clean is a job for all of us.