UNSUNG HERO
The Unsung Hero is designated by Superintendent of Schools Lori S. Duerr to shine a well-deserved spotlight on individuals in the Falmouth Public Schools who make invaluable contributions to the district.
School Crossing Guard Tom Scarpellini: Protecting Students by Building Trust
By Sarah E. Murphy
In his role as East Falmouth Elementary School Crossing Guard, Tom Scarpellini knows how to make children feel safe.
“Mr. Tom” offers a warm greeting as he escorts them each morning from the Cumberland Farms gas station to the school. And every afternoon, he’s waiting in front of the Main Office with the same question.
“I always ask them about their day - was it good, was it okay, was it bad? Nobody gets by me without answering that one,” he says with a laugh.
“Today, one of the girls got ‘Helper of the Day’ from her teacher, so she got a special little bracelet that she was proud to show me. Those things are so important to little kids, and they want to share them with other people.”
Mr. Tom’s only other “rule” is for students to listen, especially when approaching the crosswalk at Davisville lights, arguably the busiest intersection in the school district.
“My number one rule is they have to look both ways before they step into the crosswalk, after I’ve already stepped out. If not, they know they’re going to hear it from me,” he said.
“This is a very dangerous area, especially when people are on their way to work in the morning. They don’t always see the crosswalk, and they’re more concerned with taking a right on red. I really do have to actually step into the road and stop traffic.”
Creating connections is one of his favorite aspects of his role.
“I love that I get to talk to so many people and joke with the kids. They’re so honest and funny,” he remarked.
Tom also connects with the students through personal experience.
“I was born with an astigmatism in my left eye, and the kids are really enthralled with it. I tell them it’s my superpower,” he joked.
“It’s also a chance for me to show them that we all have things about us that people might think aren’t ‘perfect’ but it doesn’t lessen who you are, or what you can accomplish.”
To that end, he uses the topic as a way to promote open communication.
“I think it’s so awesome that kids aren’t taught to be silent, and I want them to know there’s nothing wrong with asking a question,” he said.
Mr. Tom is also a friendly figure in the lives of EF parents.
“I always remind them about things like Early Release Day and Picture Day, in case they happen to forget. I don’t want the kids to be caught not knowing,” he said.
Lauren Kelly is the mother of Christian, a first-grader at East Falmouth.
“He’s very proud that he gets to walk on his own with Mr. Tom all the way to and from the gas station every day,” she said. “It makes him feel grown up.”
Much like a mail-carrier, Tom is out in virtually any type of weather, and he brings a shovel after snowstorms to make sure the sidewalks are clear. Although he doesn’t mind the rain itself, it’s the treacherous conditions that make it the most challenging of the elements.
Now in his fifth year with Falmouth Public Schools, Tom was initially looking for a part-time job in post-retirement, but it has become much more.
“I figured I’d only do this for a short time, but you just kind of fall in love with it. Now I can’t imagine not doing it. I get so bored in the summer. It gets me going in the morning, and it keeps me from napping in my chair in the afternoon,” he said.
Tom and his wife of 53 years, Maryann, moved to East Falmouth full-time twenty years ago, relocating from Mansfield, Mass., where they met in high school, and later raised their two sons, Bryan and Michael. They are now the grandparents of seven.
East Falmouth Elementary School Principal Paul Goodhind believes Tom’s interpersonal skills, and “grandfatherly” qualities, such as kindness and approachability, contribute to his style of authority.
“One thing I’ve observed is that Tom gets to know the kids really quickly and builds a relationship right away. In order for them to be safe, they have to listen to him, and to listen to him, they have to trust him. That’s something he does really well,” he said.
“It’s important that they know he cares about them, just like a good teacher, and they see that in the way he does his job.”
Mr. Goodhind also credited Tom’s reliability.
“It doesn’t matter what the weather is. He’s never late, he’s always early,” Mr. Goodhind said. “You never have to think about where Mr. Tom is. You can just always count on him being there.”
When Mr. Goodhind joined the staff as principal three years ago, Tom was one of the first people who reached out to welcome him.
“He wanted to meet me and introduce himself, to build a relationship and talk about expectations, but all in a really relaxed way,” he recalled. “We clicked right away.”
When Mr. Goodhind informed Mr. Tom he had been singled out for his contributions by Superintendent of Schools Lori Duerr, Tom was surprised and humbled, pondering the definition of an “Unsung Hero” with Mr. Goodhind’s secretary, Bridget Janerico.
“It’s someone who goes above and beyond in their job,” Ms. Janerico said. “That’s Tom.”
Dr. Duerr stressed the significance of Tom’s role.
“There’s nothing more important than keeping our students safe, and for parents and guardians to know their children can be trusted with us,” she said.
“We are extremely grateful to Mr. Scarpellini for his dedication to our district and, in turn, our community.”