Celebrating ESP Week: Jim Farrell at Jackson Heights

Whether he's bringing balloons to brighten up school events, volunteering his time at PTA gatherings, or making Tuesdays special with lollipops for our students and staff, Mr. Farrell continuously demonstrates the spirit of kindness and service at Jackson Heights.

“What I think is special and very unique about my work, is that I get to see almost the entire student body, every school day!” says Lunch Aide Jim Farrell. “I try to acknowledge as many students as I can by greeting them with a smile and with their first name as much as possible, either when they are going through the lunch line, or stopping by their tables during the course of their meal. We try to make the lunch room a happy and enjoyable place for the young students each day, and when they are there, we want them to feel welcomed.”

While the job description for a lunch aide includes maintaining an orderly and safe environment for students in the cafeteria and assisting the students in whatever they may need during their lunch period, Mr. Farrell does even more. “I also work closely with the food service workers in trying to solve any issues which may come up during the day, such as last minute changes with a student's lunch order or other requests they may have,” he notes. 

“We also encourage and acknowledge all acts of kindness that we see the students show to each other, no matter how small they may seem at the time,” Mr. Farrell explains. “By acting kindly and acknowledging everyone happily as they go by, or when greeting them as a group or individually while they are seated having their lunches, it might just help a student having a trying day feel better about things and focus in a more learning way when they return back to the classroom.”

Mr. Farrell says he feels both grateful and fortunate to have found this good work to do over the four years he’s been on staff at Jackson Heights. “He can often be found lending a hand to our youngest students and being a role model for our older students in the cafeteria,” remarks Principal Ryan Estey. “Mr. Farrell is truly a compassionate person who makes a difference in countless ways, both big and small. He also serves as a crossing guard in the mornings and afternoons, ensuring our children's safety.”

In his other role as a school crossing guard, Mr. Farrell is well-known for his “Lollipop Tuesdays” at the corner of Ridge Street and Jackson Ave. He’s been keeping students and families safe for 10 years at this intersection, and his famous dum-dums giveaway began about 8 years ago. “I was banking at Glens Falls National Bank (now Arrow), and every time I went, they always gave me a lollipop,” he recounts. “And once they asked what I do, and I said I’m a crossing guard. So they told me to take a few extras, and it got me thinking.” 

Mr. Farrell started handing out lollipops that November, just on Tuesdays of each week. And now so many students, family members, and school staff look forward to Lollipop Tuesdays that he goes through about 75 pops each week — even setting up a small table on the sidewalk for distribution, and walking back up to the school with treats for kids in the after-school program once his crossing guard duties finish.

“What's nice is that this is something the kids remember,” says Mr. Farrell. “Some of the 12th graders came back last June to walk through the school with their caps and gowns on, and they recognized me right away. And they asked me, ‘Mr. Farrell, do you still give out lollipops on Tuesday?’ And that's eight years or so ago, but they remember that.”

Mr. Farrell says he is happy and thankful to be able to work together with the dedicated and caring staff at Jackson Heights and in GF Nation. He graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and enjoys playing golf when school is out! 

Throughout the week, Nov. 17-21, we have highlighted our staff members whose various careers touch the lives of our students and pave the way for success! Education Support Professionals—our teacher aides, teaching assistants, secretaries, custodians, and many other team members—play a crucial role in every school building, every day. Thanks for your service, all ESPs!