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Dedicated school secretary misses her students

'Suddenly out of the blue I started receiving emails and text messages from some of them and their parents'
20200403 secretary letter
A letter on the door that grade two and three students at South River Public made for their secretary. Photo submitted.

Lynn Smith recalls a "thank you" letter she found on the office door at South River Public School. 

"You help us when we are sick and you are deeply appreciated," the big letter reads.  

Smith has been a secretary at the area school for close to nine years now.  While she has been working from home, she admits she truly misses the students. 

"I am a school secretary so I don't have one class of 25 kids, I have a whole school that means the world to me," she said. 

"It is really different, I love my family really dearly, but I consider them my kids at South River Public. I consider my co-workers my work family as well, so it has changed drastically. That day to day contact with the kids is gone. It is so hard because I like to make sure my kids are doing well."

While she misses that social interaction she says some of the messages she has received from students and parents have really helped bring a smile to her face.  

"Suddenly out of the blue I started receiving emails and text messages from some of them and their parents," she said.  

"What a wonderful community South River is. In times when, I have no doubt they are worried about their own family, they reach out and touch those around them. Just a wellness check I guess, but it sure made my day to hear from them."

She believes messages like that are huge for everyone in all walks of life as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"If you have an opportunity to reach out, I say take it. It is the best feeling knowing you are still in touch with these kids that mean so much to you," she said.   


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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