Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes with our staff here at HMSA? At times, we don’t stop to actually realize that the staff on campus have lives outside of school, much like us. However, among all of our staff members there is one in particular that is always waiting at the entrance in the morning, checking to see if your shirt is tucked in, making sure that you are prepared, and of course, calling your parents when you get sent out for a Log Entry. Staff members like Mr. Cifuentes are much more than just people that keep us in check and make sure that we are safe in school. They listen to us students when we’re in need–they make the school a second home. We sat down with Mr. Cifuentes to learn more about his daily life and job. Like everybody else, he also has activities he does outside of school. We made it our job to find out what these activities are, so this is what he had to say:
Interviewer: Why did you decide to become a security officer at HMSA?
Mr. Cifuentes: I used to work at a pizza shop as a delivery driver and one day I delivered to an elementary school and I knew the principal at the time because he used to be my teacher. He said, “Hey we would love for you to come on board and apply for playground supervision”. So I did, and one thing led to another and the principal at Zela Davis realized I could do more with my abilities and suggested for me to do my best to apply and become security. I did my research and I got all my certifications, did what I needed to do, and now I’m here.
Interviewer: How does your hour by hour routine go during your work hours?
Mr. Cifuentes: In the morning I start off with greeting students, you see me in the gates just checking for uniforms and then after that then I just monitor, do log entries, check out chromebooks for those need it, assist teachers for student pickup or coverage, and then issue some detention slip– as you may have noticed when I provide slips for you guys. Then I’m supervising at lunchtime helping students with anything that they need, missing items, whatever it is that the kids need. I do my best to help out. After that’s when it’s Period 5 and 6 I pretty much stay in my room and when a teacher calls me I’m there if a student needs me they come and find me. After school I do dismissal and that’s when I say my goodbyes to everyone when they head out.
Interviewer: What is your favorite and least favorite part as a Security Officer?
Mr. Cifuentes: My favorite part is getting to just connect with a bunch of the students, I know each and every one of you by name and grade levels so that’s one of the things I look forward to the most–being able to chit-chat and getting to know how your day is and if there’s anything I can help you out with. Helping really makes me feel good, to know that I can contribute something. The worst thing is, man, it’s hard to say because, you know what they say “You don’t work a single day in your life if you love what you do”, and I like what I do so there’s not really much.. I mean TRAFFIC! There we go, traffic is the thing that I hate the most, parents honking and dealing with that.”
Interviewer: How many daily log entries do you give out on a good day?
Mr. Cifuentes: On a good day, I’d say..I mean, it all depends on the teacher, but I think the most I’ve had in a single day throughout each period, I’d say a total of 50 to 60.
Interviewer: What are your hobbies outside of school?
Mr. Cifuentes: I like to workout, I like to go to the gym, I try my best to do that on a daily basis. After school’s over at 3:30, my shift ends at 4:15, so at 4:15 I go straight to the gym because if I go home, I’m not getting back up. After that I like building Legos, I like watching Star Wars, and yeah, that’s pretty much it.
Interviewer: How has your impression/view of the school changed since you were a student?
Mr. Cifuentes: Oh I mean, it’s different from becoming a student just because you know, you’re consistently focusing and studying and trying to do well on a test. Now as a staff member, you get to see the other side and assist them in things that I never knew happened behind the scenes, so it’s definitely a change of pace from studying to helping teachers and kids. It was weird at first, but as the days went on and the months went by it got better, I got used to it and I love it.
Interviewer: What advice would you give students to not pay you a bad visit?
Mr. Cifuentes: Charge your chromebooks, please. Charge your chromebooks. That’s the one thing that I beg you to do. It’s not that difficult. What I do in the morning, my routine is–I memorize this–when I walk out the door I make sure I have all these three things, phone, keys, wallet, glasses. In that order. For the kids I tell them, phone, keys, wallet, chromebook. Those are the four things that I recommend bringing. That’s pretty much the only thing, and just stay out of trouble. You know, watch the language when you’re out here, be polite to one another–be kind. Respect your teachers because they’re looking out and making sure that there’s good things out there for you, hoping for the best.
While we don’t exactly know everything that goes on behind the scenes at HMSA, we have some insight on what a beloved staff member like Mr. Cifuentes does on a daily basis. Now we know his story, his hobbies, his routine, and even his advice on how to not pay him a visit. Thank you to Mr. Cifuentes for taking the time to answer our questions, furthermore, thank you for being an incredible staff member and a great role model!
a great role model!
