Bailey’s Office Assistant Retires After More Than 50 Years Joyce Sisk’s sons grew up conveniently across the street from their elementary school. In 1972, Joyce joined the boys crossing the street each day as she began working as a cafeteria hostess at Bailey’s Elementary School. At the end of this school year, more than 50 years later, she’ll cross the street for the last time as an FCPS employee. “I wish I’d kept a journal,” Joyce said, thinking back on all her time spent at the school. She has worked at Bailey’s for 52 years total, 49 of them as a full-time employee. John Randall was the principal when Joyce first started working in the cafeteria. He was a “wonderful principal,” she said. She wasn’t sure about accepting a job because she still had a 4-year-old at home. He told her to bring him along. A custodian named Mr. Grimes would watch Kevin while she worked. “Our mom started at Bailey's helping kids with their lunch — replacing a fork or a napkin,” Joyce’s son Jeff said. “My brothers Scott, Kevin, and I also had our mom looking after us. What a special time we all had with our mom being there. Our family is so proud of our mom, grandmother, and friend: We all love you, mom,” Jeff said on behalf of himself and his brothers. In 1976, Joyce began working full time for the school as an instructional assistant. Over the years, she’s worked as the principal’s secretary, registrar, and receptionist. She has worked with 12 principals — “every one of them wonderful,” she said. “I’d give them all an A.” Now one of her granddaughters works as an instructional assistant, and her great-granddaughter (pictured) attends the school. “I’ll miss seeing her next year,” Joyce said. Sometimes, she thinks the entire staff treats her as a mother or grandmother. “They take wonderful care of me,” she said. Joyce feels strongly that she will be easily replaced. But she suggests to whoever follows in her steps: Treat the teachers really well. While explaining what her position demanded, Joyce explained that she greeted people, met them, and got to know them. There was no stress or deadlines. “That’s a pretty easy job,” she laughed, “so I’m not sure why I’m retiring!” Joyce said she began thinking about retiring last year. “I just kind of felt ready,” she said. Now that she’s retiring, Joyce doesn’t have any specific plans for how to spend her time other than doing “whatever I want to do!” And on the first day of school for the 2025-26 school year, instead of walking across the street with them, perhaps Joyce will look out her window and “I’ll wave to them and say, you guys have a good day!”