I don't know what the Mission Statement for the Stanley G, Falk School says. I will not try to to look it up until I'm done writing this story. Please read this story and then go find their Mission Statement and see if they match. I'm willing to wager a tree's worth of falling leaves that they will match up. I know it's not much of a bet but I'm not a betting man anyway. The Mission Statement of an organization should be apparent in the actions of all of the people within the organization.
My first interaction with someone from the Falk School was a phone call. Lori Hammond called me while waiting to have her car serviced by a mechanic. Lori is one of the Principal's at Falk. She had read some of my comments in the Buffalo News and felt a connection regarding students. After she told me all of the good things that were happening at Falk, I was amazed that she thought that I had anything to offer. I only say that because our organization at Youth With A Purpose teaches Relationship Mentoring and Lori's description of her school sounded like a fertile relationship garden. We agreed to meet and tour her schools. That was in June and the summer flew by until I received my next phone call.
In early August while volunteering at Kingdom Bound, my phone jumped (maybe I dropped it) out of my pocket and was missing for a few days. When I finally retrieved my messages, I found that another Principal from The Falk School had called. Lori had given my name to Martha Sanfilippo and she asked if I would please return her call. Our conversation was filled with positive words regarding children and opportunities.
Giving children the best opportunities to become responsible, accountable and contributing members of society seemed to be the hallmark of my conversations with folks from Falk.
Martha and I met in her office on August 22. When I arrived, the secretary smiled and greeted me warmly. That's how all first impressions should start. It was a very emotional morning for me. We had taken a young lady to the train station and tearfully said goodbye. Her family was moving after her Father had been murdered on Memorial Day weekend. She worked in our kitchen and she was like family to the rest of us at YWAP. She was the third member of our kitchen staff who experienced the murder of a family member. At one point of my conversation with Martha, I teared up as I talked about the stage of the grieving process that we entered that morning. Martha said that we could reschedule our meeting if this morning was not a good time for me personally. That, my friends, is an action that displays empathetic compassion that says;
"What you are feeling is more important than my agenda."
My tears dried up and we talked about the purpose for our meeting. Our common purpose seemed to be to find new ways, in as many ways, on all of our days to create a path for young people to find their own purpose in life. She told me many success stories and just simply enjoyed talking about what her purpose was. It was a great conversation about creating opportunities for children. It seems like the staff at the Falk School are involved in almost every aspect of the child's life. That is Relationship Mentoring at it's finest. We talked about opening day for all of the Falk Teachers. I was asked to address the more than 250 Administrators and Teachers on Opening Day 2011 at The Stanley G. Falk School.
I love being involved with Teachers and Students. We are always one or the other. On some days, the Teachers become the Students as the children teach us new things. The world looks different through their eyes. I have been blessed to meet many Teachers and Students who have many stories to share. When I walked into the Falk School on Cambridge Street, I think everybody was wearing a smile. The energy that seems to be injected by thoughts of a new school year causes ear to ear grins. Martha introduced me to many people and gave me a tour of the building. The opening speaker was Teri Byrne who is the Assistant Superintendent of the Falk Schools. She took the audience on a historical journey that began in 1986 with a fraction of the Teachers that were assembled in the room in front of her. With a great deal of passion, Teri reviewed many of the accomplishments at Falk. Many academic as well as athletic programs were added. She spoke of the words of a former student who was now in his senior year at Canisius College. He was so grateful to all of his Teachers at Falk for helping him to achieve success. During her power point presentation, I remember something about helping the students to become employable. That is huge in a poor city like Buffalo, NY.
My address to all of these World Changers was simply a reflection of who they already are. I did tell stories about children, some sad stuff and some happy stuff. I tried to encourage them to go through the hurricanes of disappointment that accompany the life of a Teacher. I told them about my Grandmother who said: "There's better days ahead." If I were to sum up the message that I tried to convey, it would be this;
"Being a Teacher is the most important job in the world. Teacher's are being asked to boldly go where no Teacher has ever gone before. Children today face more obstacles to opportunity than in any previous generation. You, as a Teacher, may be a child's final frontier. A Teacher may be the last person who has the ability to display an act of mercy, kindness, tenderness, and compassion. A Teacher may be the last person who can help a child feel valued in a society that continues to devalue our children.
A Teacher is the most important job in the world."
It seems like a Mission Statement for the Falk School would say something like the Youth With A Purpose Statement which is: "We believe that all children are gifted. We exist to identify, nurture, protect and empower young people to use their gifts to become the world changers that God meant them to be."
I'm going to go look up the Falk School Mission Statement and print it here:
To inspire each student to become a life-long learner, capable of achieving personal goals to responsibly contribute to our ever-changing world. Our primary focus is on student learning with a commitment to high expectations for success.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
 | ||
| The Falk School sits at a crossroads in a child's life. |
In early August while volunteering at Kingdom Bound, my phone jumped (maybe I dropped it) out of my pocket and was missing for a few days. When I finally retrieved my messages, I found that another Principal from The Falk School had called. Lori had given my name to Martha Sanfilippo and she asked if I would please return her call. Our conversation was filled with positive words regarding children and opportunities.
Giving children the best opportunities to become responsible, accountable and contributing members of society seemed to be the hallmark of my conversations with folks from Falk.
Martha and I met in her office on August 22. When I arrived, the secretary smiled and greeted me warmly. That's how all first impressions should start. It was a very emotional morning for me. We had taken a young lady to the train station and tearfully said goodbye. Her family was moving after her Father had been murdered on Memorial Day weekend. She worked in our kitchen and she was like family to the rest of us at YWAP. She was the third member of our kitchen staff who experienced the murder of a family member. At one point of my conversation with Martha, I teared up as I talked about the stage of the grieving process that we entered that morning. Martha said that we could reschedule our meeting if this morning was not a good time for me personally. That, my friends, is an action that displays empathetic compassion that says;
"What you are feeling is more important than my agenda."
My tears dried up and we talked about the purpose for our meeting. Our common purpose seemed to be to find new ways, in as many ways, on all of our days to create a path for young people to find their own purpose in life. She told me many success stories and just simply enjoyed talking about what her purpose was. It was a great conversation about creating opportunities for children. It seems like the staff at the Falk School are involved in almost every aspect of the child's life. That is Relationship Mentoring at it's finest. We talked about opening day for all of the Falk Teachers. I was asked to address the more than 250 Administrators and Teachers on Opening Day 2011 at The Stanley G. Falk School.
I love being involved with Teachers and Students. We are always one or the other. On some days, the Teachers become the Students as the children teach us new things. The world looks different through their eyes. I have been blessed to meet many Teachers and Students who have many stories to share. When I walked into the Falk School on Cambridge Street, I think everybody was wearing a smile. The energy that seems to be injected by thoughts of a new school year causes ear to ear grins. Martha introduced me to many people and gave me a tour of the building. The opening speaker was Teri Byrne who is the Assistant Superintendent of the Falk Schools. She took the audience on a historical journey that began in 1986 with a fraction of the Teachers that were assembled in the room in front of her. With a great deal of passion, Teri reviewed many of the accomplishments at Falk. Many academic as well as athletic programs were added. She spoke of the words of a former student who was now in his senior year at Canisius College. He was so grateful to all of his Teachers at Falk for helping him to achieve success. During her power point presentation, I remember something about helping the students to become employable. That is huge in a poor city like Buffalo, NY.
 |
| YWAP and The Stanley G. Falk School - an opportunity partnership for children. |
My address to all of these World Changers was simply a reflection of who they already are. I did tell stories about children, some sad stuff and some happy stuff. I tried to encourage them to go through the hurricanes of disappointment that accompany the life of a Teacher. I told them about my Grandmother who said: "There's better days ahead." If I were to sum up the message that I tried to convey, it would be this;
"Being a Teacher is the most important job in the world. Teacher's are being asked to boldly go where no Teacher has ever gone before. Children today face more obstacles to opportunity than in any previous generation. You, as a Teacher, may be a child's final frontier. A Teacher may be the last person who has the ability to display an act of mercy, kindness, tenderness, and compassion. A Teacher may be the last person who can help a child feel valued in a society that continues to devalue our children.
A Teacher is the most important job in the world."
It seems like a Mission Statement for the Falk School would say something like the Youth With A Purpose Statement which is: "We believe that all children are gifted. We exist to identify, nurture, protect and empower young people to use their gifts to become the world changers that God meant them to be."
I'm going to go look up the Falk School Mission Statement and print it here:
To inspire each student to become a life-long learner, capable of achieving personal goals to responsibly contribute to our ever-changing world. Our primary focus is on student learning with a commitment to high expectations for success.
Yes, the Stanley G. Falk School is living out their mission,
in thought, word and deed, INDEED! Thank you to all of the Teachers and Staff at Falk who are creating Bright Spots for children!
Bob Kuebler
YWAP Director
YWAP Director
Youth With A Purpose
In School & After School
In The Mountains & In The Hood
In The Mountains & In The Hood
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
"All Children Are Gifted"
http://thebrightspotreport.blogspot.com/
If you are looking for a speaker for parents or youth or both, please call us.
If you are looking for a speaker for parents or youth or both, please call us.
Thank you for writing this blog about the Stanley Faulk School. I have been looking into getting my son referred there for his Freshman year in highschool. I almost view the school as his chance in succeeding in life academically. My son is capable of learning, but he has a learning disability and his current school has given up on him; obviously I have not. It pleases me to read about the school, and you have given me confidence to keep going in my path to ensure my son receives a high school diploma, if not more. Keep up the great work you are doing as well. Once again, thank you.
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