Moms and dads: Prior to the start of school you saw many cars in the parking lot. Teachers preparing for the year. And secretaries!
The school secretary is an ambassador for the school. She greets guests, calms anxious parents, comforts frightened children, helps frantic teachers and, importantly, counsels the principal. Each day the secretary solves multiple problems “on the fly.” A substitute who has a flat tire on the way to school? A teacher who gets sick midday? A parent new to the school who only speaks Tagalog? A cute puppy loose on the playground? All handled, quickly.
All of this in addition to handling the school’s budget and payroll, ordering supplies, overseeing the health room, administering EpiPens to a child who is having an allergic reaction, securing appropriate paperwork for volunteers including Washington State Patrol background checks, accounting for the safe arrival of each student each day, sticking around after hours to care for a child whose parent is running late.
School secretaries are the heart and soul the school. They do much that goes unrecognized by many. They deserve our deep respect and gratitude. They certainly “go the extra mile,” each and every single day. Thank them!
