UISD registrars were honored this week for their hard work with a special breakfast, cake and encouraging speeches.
The event, held on Tuesday at LB Johnson 9th Grade Campus, was part of National Registrar Appreciation Week. The theme this year is “Behind every great school is a caring registrar.”
School Board Trustee Frank Castillo of District 7 addressed the registrars, noting that they are often on the frontlines and usually are the first people that parents meet when dealing with schools.
He called them unsung heroes who work diligently behind the scenes, ensuring the academic success of the school and the students.
“I remember the registrar always being helpful because I used to work with juvenile probation. They gave me all kinds of data, grades, attendance, and I realized how important your function was back then,” Castillo told the registrars.
“The reason we are here today is to congratulate you and tell you how much we appreciate what you do for the community. You are the frontline for the parent or the student,” he added.
Thelma Martinez, Director of Admissions/Attendance/Dropout Recovery/Planning, agreed.
“We’re here because it’s a very special week,” Martinez said. “We’re here to celebrate all the hard work that our registrars do across the district on a daily basis. The registrars are the first people that our school community has to deal with on a daily basis when registering their children so we just want to take the time to let them know of the great job they are doing and how much we appreciate everything they do.”
Martinez pointed out that improvements have been made to the registration process, with more time to register and a more streamlined process with fewer forms to fill out.
The registrars, who also received updated training in the school’s library, were served cake and played bingo using terminology from their field, receiving prizes as well.
One registrar, Analicia Belmares from Roberto Santos Elementary School, explained that their day starts early with taking turns assisting special education students to class, helping substitutes, answering the phones and other tasks.
“We do a lot and then at 8 a.m. we go to our station and check online registration,” said Belmares.
She said she encourages parents to do the online registration and not wait until the last minute. “It’s very important that way we can get their names for next year,” she said.
Registrar Yolanda Ramirez of Molina Middle School stressed that the registrars are there to help the parents and students.
“We’re there to help you with any problems, any concerns, just anything that the parent or student might need. We would like to be there for the parents, especially if they need forms filled out, registration records, grades or letters they might need us to verify,” said Ramirez, who has been with UISD for 17 years.
Registrars play a “key component in our education system,” Castillo said. “On behalf of our United family, on behalf of the students, of the parents and the faculty and staff, thank you for your excellent work,” he said.
UISD School Board Trustee Frank Castillo of District 7 addresses registrars
Analicia Belmares, registrar at Roberto Santos Elementary, and Yolanda Ramirez, registrar at Molina Middle School, enjoyed the special week honoring registrars.
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