When Fallon opened on August 29, 2005, it wasn’t a middle school: In fact, kindergarteners were running through the hallways. What started as a K-8 became a nationally renowned middle school!
When the school opened, approximately 500 students attended. As Ms. Chien, who has been teaching here since Fallon opened, explained, “[The students] transferred because there was only one middle school before we opened, so they transferred from Wells.” Over the years, certain details changed as the student body grew, such as the many portables built, and the playground that originally stood on the blacktop was removed when Fallon switched to a middle school.
Before Fallon became a large school, the campus had lockers for books and supplies, but as the student population grew, there wasn’t enough space for everyone to have one. Eventually, the school decided to remove the lockers and settle for PE lockers instead. Fallon also installed solar panels, enabling the implementation of additional technology. “There is nothing to dislike about Fallon, because it’s always improving,” said Ms. Lightbody, who passionately recalled Fallon’s improvements, including the way the school keeps trying new things. In her opinion, one of the most notable new features is Responsive Scheduling. Ms. Lightbody emphasized that Fallon isn’t satisfied with a system that works; they want one that excels.
There are so many examples of how Fallon has expanded academically over the years. As the student body grew, more teachers began teaching new electives, such as Speech & Debate and Fitness For Life, giving students additional options. Ms. Yee, a new teacher at Fallon, exclaimed, “I love Fallon; the school is so welcoming and supportive.” She noted that the numerous opportunities, such as electives and Responsive Scheduling, enable students to learn at their own pace and improve academically.
In 2019, Fallon faced a unique challenge: COVID-19 and online learning. Surprisingly, students adapted really well to online learning, but there were some challenges. One challenge was that students repeatedly turned off their cameras during online classes, making it difficult for teachers to encourage participation in discussions. Ms. Elissiry acknowledged how students and staff did better than expected when adapting to lockdown, and she also noted, “For me, one of the things that I enjoy most is making those personal connections with my students, getting to know them a little bit.” It’s harder to interact in person, and many teachers and students were glad to come back together to learn and build a stronger sense of community when the pandemic ended.
Fallon has changed a lot over the years, but one thing stays the same: the spirit and community. Everyone on campus works hard to ensure that people at Fallon feel a sense of belonging. The school continually seeks to innovate and improve the experience of staff and students so that everyone can thrive and grow. Fallon’s students and staff work together to create change and improvement in Fallon.
