Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School
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| Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School | |
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| Location | |
|---|---|
| Allequippa St Pittsburgh, PA 15261 USA |
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| Information | |
| Head of school | Dr. Wendell McConnaha, Director |
| Enrollment |
275 |
| Type | Private |
| Grades | K–8 |
| Established | 1931 |
| Homepage | Falk School |
The Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School is a private kindergarten through eighth grade laboratory school of the University of Pittsburgh. It is located on the University of Pittsburgh's upper campus on Allequippa St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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[edit] Charter
Falk Laboratory School was established in 1931 under a charter agreement between the University of Pittsburgh and benefactors Leon Falk Jr. and his sister, Marjorie Falk Levy. The school was named in honor of Leon and Marjorie's mother, Fanny Edel Falk.[1] It features inquiry based instruction and creates, writes, and delivers its own curriculum.[2]
Originally chartered as a progressive experimental school for demonstration purposes, Falk School's charter was amended in 1946 to include practice teaching as one of the school's functions. It is the only known laboratory school to have a legal charter that stipulates its purposes and functions. Over the years the faculty added to the school's original functions to incorporate educational research and to integrate new educational practices as they are developed.[3][4][5]
[edit] History
Falk School opened on September 14, 1931 with 78 enrolled children, a principal, seven full-time teachers, and a part time teacher from the Department of Physical Education. Martin P. Chworowsky served as its original director. Falk School absorbed the Community School, and existing progressive demonstration school which had been established following the discontinuation of the School of Childhood of the University in 1921.[6] [7]Falk School originally including a nursery, kindergarten, and first through sixth grades, it originally admitted children from 2 and one-half to twelve years of age and had an original capacity of 155 children. A health program was directed by the Women's Medical Adviser of the University of Pittsburgh. The three lower grades had sessions between 9am and noon and the upper grades from 9am to 3:15pm.
By the end of Falk School's sixth year, it expanded to eight grades with full training for high school.[8] Ongoing expansion and renovations are due increase the current enrollment of 275 students to 410 by the 2009-2010 school year.[9]
Tuition for Falk School was originally $200 a year for lower grades and $275 a year for upper grades.[10] Current tuition tops $18,700 a year.[11]
[edit] Building
A gray stone school house with Old English slate shingle roof, the Falk School building was design by Janssen and Cocken and built in 1931 at an original cost, including endowment, of $325,000. The cornerstone of Falk School was laid in August 1931 and contains, among other papers, a speech read by Majorie Falk Levy which she described the life and charter of her mother, and the school's namesake, Fanny Edel Falk.[12]
Expansion of the Falk School, from the 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m²) facility to a 65,000-square-foot (6,000 m²) facility is currently underway and expected to be complete in December 2008 and renovations of the current building are scheduled to be completed in 2009. The $21.1 million expansion and renovations will allow for increased enrollment. The new 38,000-square-foot (3,500 m²) academic wing for the school will including 14 classrooms for Kindergarten through eighth grade, a new computer classroom, art room, library, cafeteria, science room, and support areas. The outdoor play area will be relocated to the west side of the building and a new play area will be constructed on the gym roof.[13][14] [15] [16][17]
| Preceded by Cathedral of Learning |
University of Pittsburgh Buildings Falk School Constructed: 1931 |
Succeeded by Heinz Memorial Chapel |
[edit] Administration
The Director of the School at Falk is a University of Pittsburgh Department Chair, and the Chair of the Falk School Board is a University of Pittsburgh Vice Provost. Falk School faculty teach courses in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. It is a teacher training site with as many as 13 Master of Arts Teaching candidates per year. Falk School features and after school child care program. [18]
[edit] Current Staff
Principal- Dr. Wendell McConnaha* Assistaint Principal- Dr. Marian Vollmer* Administrator- Ms. Shelia Tally-Armstead* SEE NOTE ON BOTTOM OF PAGE Administrative Support- Ms. Tina Mattis* Administrator II- Ms. Kelly DeGroot* Nurse- Ms. Susan Sholtis*
Kindergarten- Room 112 Head- Ms. Jill Sarada* Helper- Ms. Diana Dimitrovski* First and Second Grade- Room 111 Head- Dr. Marian Vollmer* Intern- Ms. Laura Zielinski* First and Second Grade- Room 115 Head- Ms. Megan O'Brien* Intern- Ms. Berry Steiner* First and Second Grade- Room 116 Head- Ms. Laurie Williams* Intern- Ms. Sarah Huffman* Third and Fourth Grade- Room 221 Head- Ms. Lori Wertz* Intern- Mr. Brian Bechtold* Third and Fourth Grade- Room 222 Head- Ms. Lindsay O'Sullivan* Intern- NONE* Fourth and Fifth Grade- Room 224 Head- Ms. Joanne Ridge* Intern- NONE* Fourth and Fifth Grade- Room 225 Head- Ms. Jackie Metcalf* Intern- Ms. Lauren Hustwit* Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade- Spanish Room B-5 Head- Ms. Carmela Maccarelli* Helper- Ms. Illiana DeRemer* Intern- Ms. Lacey Davis* Sixth, Seventh, and Eight Grade- Science Room B-4 Head- Ms. Eileen Coughlin* Intern- Ms. Sandra Borbonus* Sixth, Seventh, and Eight Grade- Social Studies Room B-12 Head- Mr. David Kramer* Intern- Ms. Jessica Dicks* Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade- Language Arts Room B-13 Head- Mr. Gregory Wittig* Helper- Ms. Ellen Smith* Intern- Ms. Alexandria Duhan* Sixth, Seventh, and Eight Grade- Math Room SB-3 Head- Mr. David Ross* Intern- Mr. Luke Bayne* All Grades- Art Head- Dr. Pamela Armstrong* All Grades- Music Head- Dr. Lee Ann Conover* Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Guitar Head- Ms. Darylana Godfrey* All Grades- Library Head- Ms. Linda Herward* All Grades- Gym Head- Ms. Laura Hunt* Intern- Mr. Brent Lopick* All Grades- Computer Head- Ms. Barbra Bianco* Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Spanish Head- Ms. Kristin Davin* Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade- Sexuallity Head- Ms. Niki Gorecka* All Grades Alexander Technique (Posture) Head- Ms. Lonna Wilkinson*
NOTE- Mrs. Sheila Elizabeth Talley-Armstead sadly past away on April 18th, 2008, of surgical complications. At age 50, she left behind a 12 year old daughter a 19 year old daughter a husband, and countless other family members. Falk School was closed on the following Thursday so that the staff and students could attend her funeral.
[edit] External links
- Falk Laboratory School web site
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Pittsburgh School of Education
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