Assistant to the Lower School Principal

Assistant To The Principal

Paul Cuffee School, a K-12 public charter school of choice, educates a diverse community of students from the City of Providence, Rhode Island. We respect each individual and the world we share. This quality of our community is central to our mission. In the spirit of Paul Cuffee's life, we teach students to value and practice personal initiative, perseverance, and social responsibility. Our School accomplishes these goals through a rigorous academic program which, enriched with maritime experiences, fosters discovery and critical thinking. We prepare students for higher education, lifelong learning, and active citizenship.

The Assistant To The Principal provides comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Principal and serves as a key liaison among administrators, staff, students, and families. The role ensures the smooth daily operation of school systems by managing communication, data, scheduling, and logistics. The Assistant fosters an organized, welcoming, and efficient school environment while maintaining strict confidentiality at all times.

Key Responsibilities

• Administrative & Clerical Support
• Provide direct support to the Principal, including scheduling, calendar management, correspondence, and follow-up on tasks.
• Prepare and distribute letters, reports, meeting materials, and other documents.
• Maintain organized and confidential student, staff, and school files.
• Greet visitors, answer calls, and assist with inquiries in a professional and welcoming manner.
• Support internal and external communications, including newsletters, notices, and Spanish translations.
• Maintain an orderly and efficient main office and assist other administrative offices as needed.

• Student Information & Data Systems
• Serve as the primary manager of the Student Information System (SIS), ensuring accurate and timely updates to student, staff, and course data each school year.
• Train and support staff in using SIS, attendance, and absence management systems.
• Maintain daily attendance records, communicate with families regarding absences, and support the attendance team.
• Coordinate grading and reporting processes, including report cards and progress reports.
• Collaborate with admissions to support student enrollment, withdrawals, and records requests.
• Assist with compliance and data reporting for state and district requirements.

• Staff Absence & Substitute Coordination
• Manage staff absences using the automated absence management system and ensure appropriate classroom coverage.
• Maintain substitute lists, assist in onboarding, and provide daily coverage communication.
• Process hourly staff time and attendance; collaborate with HR and the Business Office on payroll and leave documentation.

• Operations & Logistics
• Coordinate logistics for field trips, parent conferences, assemblies, and school events.
• Manage purchasing and supplies: create purchase orders, process invoices, and track deliveries.
• Oversee mailings, deliveries, postage, key distribution, and related administrative tasks.
• Maintain and update emergency procedures; schedule and document required safety drills.
• Coordinate student transportation and communicate updates to families and staff.
• Support facilities and operations teams with event setup and special projects.
• Prepare materials for testing, professional development, and schoolwide events.

• Communication & Family Engagement
• Serve as liaison between the Principal, teachers, families, and students.
• Serve as primary user for ParentSquare and other family/caregiver communication systems.
• Coordinate and support school and family events, including those held after school hours.
• Maintain accurate parent contact lists and schoolwide communication systems.
• Provide Spanish interpretation and translation for meetings, conferences, and communications.
• Support logistics and translation for parent-teacher conferences.

• Continuous Improvement
• Model integrity, empathy, reflection, high expectations, responsiveness, and clear communication.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and an asset-based approach to problem solving
• Prioritize effectively so that all tasks are completed on time.
• Collaborate with administrative teams across divisions to align and improve systems.
• Participate in professional learning and staff meetings to strengthen job-related skills.
• Support the development and documentation of office procedures and onboarding materials.
• Maintain confidentiality, uphold professionalism, and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience
• High School Diploma required
• Minimum 3 years of administrative experience in an office setting
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and student information/data management systems.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with students, families, and staff.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Bilingual (Spanish-English) required strong oral and written communication skills.
• Commitment to confidentiality, reliability, and professional conduct.

Working Conditions

• Office setting within a school environment, engaging regularly with students, families, and staff.
• Frequent interruptions and high activity requiring flexibility, focus, and composure.
• Extended periods of computer use, sitting, and standing; ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Punctual, consistent attendance required to support daily operations.
• Participation in after-school and occasional evening events as needed.
• Ability to cover duties or assist with supervision as assigned.