Schools run on attendance. Without an attendance clerk, any school would go haywire. Imagine if nobody kept track of which students were in school, nobody would come. That is why the attendance clerk has such a vital role in the school system. North Atlanta High School has welcomed a new face to the front office, Xavier Smith, the new attendance clerk who is making sure that each student is accounted for and the school day runs smoothly. Coming from an elementary school background, Smith brings both experience and a fresh perspective to the position.
Before entering the administrative office, Smith was working at an elementary school. He was an extra helper in the classrooms and an aid to the special needs kids. He loved working with the students and was very reluctant to leave that position. However, his sister, a beloved faculty member, India Johnson introduced him to North Atlanta. Johnson, who also works in the attendance office, encouraged him to come join the North Atlanta Faculty. “The community here is wonderful because everyone has the common goal to help the kids,” Smith said.
Smiths’ everyday duties revolve around the students. He individually verifies that everyone’s attendance is up to date, which includes processing hundreds of emails daily. If someone has an excused absence for sports and school, he is the one who makes the adjustment. He manually goes into the system to edit absences for being sick and email teachers about excused absences. His mornings are particularly busy as he hands out tardy tickets to students who arrive after the first bell. He is focused about making sure kids know the risks of missing school, from jeopardizing graduation to falling behind in class. “It adds up quickly and I don’t think students understand how it can affect your education,” Smith said.
From a student’s point of view, attendance is viewed as something completely different as students underestimate the impact of missing school. Students often view absences or tardiness as a minor inconvenience but it affects your education. Even just arriving late, can cause an academic setback and become a habit that follows you throughout your life, not just school. Smith is adamant about changing this mindset, ensuring that students recognize the importance of being present. “I believe that making a good habit of attendance now can have an everlasting impact on your behavior in the future, wherever students end up,” said Smith.
With his dedication and experience, North Atlanta’s new attendance clerk is keeping students up to date on attendance and education. Smith has been proudly working in the tedious process of attendance carrying a smile and a desire to make a difference for students, even if it’s just excusing a sick day.
