The Stanley G. Falk (Falk) students recently celebrated their first week back to school and, for many, it was their first week in a new building! On Wednesday, September 6, the Falk-Mullen campus officially opened its doors for the first time to welcome 85 elementary students.
One-by-one, students filed in and were greeted by a festive balloon arch, Superintendent Rachael Greene, Principal Laura Collins, and other faculty members. “It’s so exciting to be starting fresh together as a whole team,” beamed Laura Collins. “It’s going to be a lot of growing and growing together.”
The Falk-Mullen campus, formerly a Tonawanda elementary school, is Falk’s fourth main campus and will provide kindergarten through third grade education. Before the expansion, Falk had over 250 children from surrounding school districts on a waiting list. As the pandemic created long-term academic challenges for youth in the community, the need for another elementary school became essential. Adding a fourth campus opened more seats for students and as referrals come in, Falk-Mullen hopes to be operating at a full capacity of 120 students by January 2024.
Several faculty members also expressed enthusiasm about the new school, including Teresa Wrobel, who has been teaching at Falk for 25 years. Teresa is teaching kindergarten and is most excited to help “the littles” navigate their educational journey. “I think the energy this year is going to be phenomenal,” smiled Teresa. “We get to experience all this newness and get through it together.”
Mike Finnigan is beginning his 28th year at Falk as a school counselor and assists approximately 24 students in a school year. As he took in the new environment, Mike saw that students would immediately run up to their teachers for hugs and high fives. “Being in a new building can be an adjustment, so it’s great to see the students so comfortable with their teacher’s so far,” Mike explained. “The most important thing that we can do for them early in the year is build and maintain a trusting relationship.”
The joy continued through Friday, when the students at Falk-Mullen were treated to a concert by entertainer Judd Sunshine. They laughed, danced and sang along to the concert in their new auditorium. During a particularly silly song, one of the students loudly exclaimed, “This is my favorite day ever!”
Child and Family Services and Stanley G. Falk School would like to thank all the staff who will keep that upbeat spirit strong throughout the entire school year. Good luck to all the students as they embark on a safe, healthy and successful school year!