Rita Olendorff, SCHS’s attendance secretary, is taking leave for a new chapter of her life. Jan. 30 was her last day. Olendorff has been a hardworking staff member for two and a half years. After SCHS, she will be working for her brother at his carpet business, where she says it will be completely different from what she has ever done.
“I will be working in an office alone, only about three people work for my brother’s carpet business,” Olendorff said.
Olendorff says the hardest part of being the attendance secretary is tending to the angry parent’s emails and calls. The multitasking with people walking into her office, someone at the front door of the school, as well as getting a phone call all at the same time is something she won’t miss when taking her leave. She has enjoyed her time working at St. Charles High with getting to know the teachers, staff, and kids.
One of Olendorff’s good friends, Principal Patricia Closson, will surely miss her. Closson has known Olendorff since she was 3 years old. While Olendorff was in high school, she was in preschool. Olendorff’s old best friend and her mom, who was the assistant director of Closson’s preschool, would often babysit her. Eventually with all of these connections, Olendorff applied for the attendance secretary position two years ago, and Closson got to interview her. Now, they worked together in a lot of situations. For example, if Olendorff was notified that a kid was in first block and then mysteriously not in second, she would contact Closson to help find the kid because she is great with names and faces around the school.
“Partners in crime for sure,” Closson said.
Although Olendorff will miss her position at SCHS, she is excited for a new change. Principal Dr. Ted Happel says the application for a new attendance secretary closed on Feb. 2. If the position is not filled in time, other SCHS office secretaries will have to fill in the job until a person is found.
