Following the retirement of longtime attendance coordinator Yvette Reyes, school aide Monica Albarracin took over her role in the main office. Ms. Albarracin has been a school aide at Townsend Harris for two years and worked closely with Ms. Reyes on the attendance system.
On May 6, Townsend Harris students and parents received an email from the administration congratulating Ms. Reyes on her retirement and saying, “Effective immediately, we are excited to welcome Ms. Monica Albarracin as your new point of contact for attendance. Ms. Albarracin is a key member of our main office team and has already built strong relationships with our students and families.”
In an interview with The Classic, Ms. Albarracin said, “I’ve been here for two years, and that was very helpful because I got to know you guys. I’ve gotten to know some of the names and some of the faces.”
Prior to her promotion as the attendance coordinator, Ms. Albarracin worked alongside Ms. Reyes in the main office. She told The Classic, “Whenever Ms. Reyes needed help, I was the one who was always there to do whatever she needed me to do. Similar to what I am doing now, just here and there, one or two days a week. Now, I am doing this on an everyday basis.”
Ms. Albarracin’s colleagues spoke highly of her work and personality in the main office. School aide Libby Lushing said, “Especially the last few weeks before Ms. Reyes retired, Ms. Reyes has been reminding Ms. Albarracin and us what needed to be done in attendance. Ms. Monica is well prepared for her job. Those of us in the main office will always be ready to help in any way.”
Similar sentiments were shared in an interview with school aide Paul Sforza, who works alongside Ms. Albarracin in the main office. In an interview with The Classic, Mr. Sforza said, “Ms. Albarracin is a new school aide, she’s only been here two years. She’s a very lovely person. Very willing to help everybody out. Has a great personality, laughs at my jokes. She’s getting a lot of help in adjusting to the new position. It’s going to take some time to figure out how Ms. Monica grows into this position, but she’ll do a great job.”
According to 311.gov, the official New York City government website, the attendance coordinator works under the principal’s supervision to oversee the school’s attendance program. They are responsible for the management of official attendance, scanning in all official attendance taken by teachers each day, and signing students out of the building when parents come to pick them up.
Sophomore Samiya Islam said, “I think Ms. Albarracin is a great person. She has a beautiful smile and a great heart too. I’ve never had a bad memory or experience with her. I hope she can create the same great relationship with students as Ms. Reyes did, as she is always such a friendly and kind person to be around.”
Ms. Albarracin said, “I am looking forward to having a nice relationship with you all. I need all your cooperation as I’m learning, and of course I’ll be making mistakes. I just hope for your support. I’m here for you guys to learn and do my best.”
