Most students only see the high school office when they are late, getting dismissed, or called down from class. But behind the desk and the constant ringing phones, there is a lot more going on than people realize.
From the moment the first bell rings, the office is already lively. The phone starts ringing almost immediately. Parents are calling to report absences or to ask questions about early dismissal.
On a normal day, Office Secretary Julie Deyo answers dozens of calls before lunchtime. Each call might seem small, but every absence has to be recorded correctly in the system. If it is not, it can cause confusion for teachers and even parents later on.
Absences are one of the biggest parts of the job. Students are out sick, on vacation, at sports games, or sometimes just late. Ms. Deyo has to sort through notes, emails, and phone messages to make sure every absence is excused properly.
If something does not match up, she has to follow up with parents to confirm. It sounds simple, but when you multiply that by hundreds of students, it becomes a nonstop task. At the same time, the office door keeps opening and closing. Students come in because they lost something, need a pass, or are being dismissed early. Some students walk in confidently, saying they are dismissing themselves. That is where things can get tricky.
School policy requires parental permission for children under 18, so Deyo has to double-check everything. Sometimes that means calling home to confirm. Not every student is happy about that, but rules are rules.
There are also moments when multiple things happen at once. The phone rings while a parent is waiting at the desk, and two students are asking questions at the same time. Even though the office can feel stressful, it is also the center of communication for the whole school.
Teachers rely on accurate attendance. Parents rely on updates. Students rely on help. Without the work happening in that small front office, the school day would quickly turn chaotic. Most people walk past the office without thinking twice about what goes on inside. It may not be a classroom, but it is one of the most important rooms in the building.
