‘The heart of the school’: Celebrating Surrey Schools office staff on Administrative Professionals Day!
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Today is Administrative Professionals Day, and Surrey Schools wishes to celebrate all of the administrative staff who keep our district running smoothly every day of the year!
Recognized on the Wednesday of the last full week of April, Administrative Professionals Day highlights the work of school secretaries, clerks, administrative assistants and support staff who manage the day-to-day operations of our 130 elementary schools, secondary schools and learning centres, as well as our district offices and programs.
“Our administrative staff are integral to the success of each and every one of our students in the district,” said Gary Tymoschuk, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education. “We truly cannot thank them enough for their effort and ongoing dedication, and we hope they feel valued today and every day for everything that they do.”
At James Ardiel Elementary, principal Jen Barker said the school couldn’t function without the office staff, who oversee a tremendous number of moving parts for an extremely busy school in the City Centre zone.
“They are the heart of the school – they know all of the kids, all of the families and they work tirelessly to support our school community,” said Barker. “They’re the first people that families meet and they welcome everyone to our school.”
Barker said the administrative staff wear many hats – more than most people know! – and have an encyclopaedic knowledgeable about everything from the how the school’s budget works to where families can find translation services to what meal programs are available for students in need.
They are the first point of contact for many families looking for supports, and they know exactly where to direct students and parents to receive the help they’re looking for.
“Our records clerk speaks Spanish and it’s so great because she has often helped us translate to families,” said Barker. “Our other head clerk takes on the responsibility of all of the Backpack Buddies program and ensures they all get delivered, she’s the one contacting families.
“We also have a high population of refugees, and so our staff become point people for new families. They’re part of trusted inner circles where people can be vulnerable and share how a family is doing.”
Barker said the school’s office staff are emotionally attuned to how students and families are doing, as well as other staff, looking out for everyone and doing what they can to make people feel better.
“They are so sweet, when they sense that staff are having a hard week, they’ll notice that and they’re quick to say, ‘I think we should get some donuts for today,’” she said. “They show that they value the staff and honour the work that they do. They’re really in touch with the pulse of the school.”
James Ardiel Elementary is just one of many school and office sites in Surrey and White Rock with an amazing team behind it. Thank you to all of the administrative professionals who work tirelessly to keep our schools and offices running!
