Tony Falace.
Robert Bateman Public School student Keesik Snowboy (left) joins classmate Will Green to congratulate Tony Falace, who received the 2010-2011 Terry Murphy Award of Excellence for going above and beyond his duties as the chief custodian at the school on May 27.
Emma Jackson
Greeting people with a smile can go a long way.
No one knows this better than Tony Falace, chief custodian at Robert Bateman Public School off Conroy Road, who was honoured on Friday, May 27 for being a positive role model and a dedicated community member at the school he serves.
The Ottawa-Carleton Elementary Teacher’s Federation awarded Falace with the 2010-2011 Terry Murphy Award of Excellence, which honours a chief custodian who “fosters an exemplary learning environment, demonstrates active support for the school objectives and projects, or demonstrates a supportive working relationship with both teachers and students,” according to the federation.
Falace said going above and beyond his custodial duties is easy.
“It’s starting every morning with a smile. From that first student you see, you say good morning, it just carries on throughout the day,” the Blossom Park resident said. “It’s just doing the best that you can. We’re all in it for the children.”
Of course, Falace’s commitment to the school is more than just a pleasant demeanor. The school’s nomination letter in support of Falace noted that he works daily with the school’s Eco School recycling team, helped pilot the school’s green bin program, and actively supports the school’s breakfast program, annual community dinner and other school events. Indeed, at the award ceremony in the school gym Falace was wearing a bright red Robert Bateman t-shirt commemorating the school’s annual “2K Walk” for cancer research, coming up in a week.
“While keeping a spotless school, Tony presents a positive and caring ‘can do’ attitude that inspires all around him to respond in kind,” read the nomination letter.
The award is in memory of Terry Murphy, a custodian with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board who was killed in a car accident in 1994 when he was 28. Murphy’s mother Jackie Martell said she established the award to honour a custodian who loves their job as much as her son did.
“(Falace) is genuinely interested in his school, in his students, and you could tell that he really cared about the students. The students came first,” said Martell, who presented Falace’s award in person.