The First Stop for Student Success

Before the first school bell rang this year, the Central Registration team had already been hard at work ensuring more than 880 new students were ready to learn on day one. From processing paperwork and verifying records to answering questions from families, this dedicated group is the backbone of CSDNB’s back-to-school readiness. Their efforts made it possible for classrooms across the district to be full of eager learners from the very first day. We are grateful for their dedication, organization, and commitment to every child’s successful start. To shine a light on this important work, we sat down with Central Registration Supervisor Noemi Ramirez for a Q&A about what it takes to get our district ready for the school year and what she wants staff across CSDNB to know about her team’s efforts.

Q : What does it mean for your team to have successfully registered so many new students before the first day of school?

NR: Successfully registering over 880 students before the first day of school is a very big accomplishment for our team. It reflects not only the dedication and hard work of everyone in central registration, but also the effectiveness of the system and processes we have put in place. This year has truly been one of our best since I’ve been in central registration. By working together and consistently following procedures, we ensured a smooth and efficient registration process that benefited families, schools, and our office.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of helping families register their students?

NR: The most rewarding part is seeing the relief and gratitude from families once their child is registered. Many parents come in stressed or unsure, especially those new to the district or country. Being able to guide them, answer questions, and make the process easier is meaningful. Knowing we helped a student take their first step toward starting school makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Q: Can you share a memorable interaction with a family that highlights why this work matters?

NR: One family had just moved into the district and was struggling with jobs, housing, and food. Both parents were there to register their child. I guided them through the process and shared information on local food resources, apartments, and agencies that could help. By the end, they were relieved, felt comfortable sharing their situation, and grateful. Moments like that really show why this work matters.

Q: How do you and your team work to make the process welcoming and stress-free for families?

NR: We work hard to make the registration process welcoming and stress-free. From the moment families arrive, we greet them warmly and guide them through the process step by step. We answer questions, explain what to expect, and provide resources. Even in a busy environment, we stay patient and supportive. Small gestures, such as sharing local services or assisting with forms, make families feel comfortable and confident. We also have our multilingual teacher in the office who conducts assessments for families coming from other countries, ensuring that children who need support in learning the English language receive the services and assistance they require.

Q: What do you wish the rest of the district staff knew about your team’s work behind the scenes?

NR: I wish the rest of the staff knew how much work goes on behind the scenes. From preparing for registration and verifying documents to guiding families and waiting for placement for students who receive services, our team handles a huge volume of details every day. Although it can be a busy and sometimes stressful environment, we remain focused on supporting families and ensuring a smooth registration process. Our work isn’t just administrative; it directly impacts students, parents, and schools and requires dedication, teamwork, and attention to detail.

Q: Looking ahead, what are you most proud of and what excites you about the year to come?

NR: I’m most proud of our team and the systems we have in place that enable us to efficiently register hundreds of students successfully. It’s rewarding to see how our hard work helps families and students start the school year smoothly. I’m excited to continue improving our processes, supporting families, helping students access services, and growing even stronger as a team to make the registration experience as welcoming and stress-free as possible for every family.

Q: Can you tell me more about the philanthropic work the department organizes?

NR: We are very grateful for the school supplies donations we received from Polymer Resources LTD, which were used at the Back-to-School Bash. Children and families had an awesome time spinning the wheel for prizes, thanks to Polymer’s generosity. For many years, I have also volunteered to assist our families with their “warm the children” vouchers by meeting them at JCPenney. I introduced this initiative to Central Registration and invited the staff to take part in supporting our parents. Every year, we meet families at JCPenney to provide uniform assistance, particularly to the Spanish and Arabic-speaking families. The vouchers are provided through City Hall by Mark Bernacki, and we are proud to have supported this effort for multiple years in a row. We are truly grateful for the continued support of our partners, which enables us to extend our impact beyond the classroom.