Mr. Frank will open car doors for kids one more time tomorrow
By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
There comes a time in life when it is time to move on, and for Weston Elementary School Principal Don Frank that time has come.
After being principal of Manville’s elementary school for almost 20 years, Mr. Frank will have his last day of school tomorrow.
”I have always felt indebted to them (school board) for giving me a chance with no real experience,” Mr. Frank said. “It is cheap and easy to say ‘kids come first’ that’s why I got into the profession as a teacher. I thought I could help more children by being a principal.”
The biggest thing Mr. Frank will miss about Weston School will be opening the car doors to welcome his students to school in the morning. He would stand in the front of the school as parents would drop off the children. Mr. Frank personally opened every door and said good morning to every student.
That all started his first year on a rainy, sleety December morning. At the front door, Mr. Frank watched a child get out the car and slide right under the car. He ran out to help the child get up, then just stayed out there, opening doors.
”I realized that it was a nice way to start the day,” he said.
It turned into an everyday thing, and Mr. Frank was able to meet more parents, and the children really liked it.
He began his career receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1976 from St. John’s University. In 1980, Mr. Frank continued doing coursework in school administration at Arizona State University, and he received his master’s degree in administration from Rutgers University in 1984.
Mr. Frank began as an elementary teacher in Plainfield schools from 1978 to 1990, then as vice principal of Emerson School in Plainfield from 1990 to 1993.
In 1993, Mr. Frank was hired as the principal of Weston Elementary School.
”The principal’s job now gives less time with the children with the new federal, state and local procedures and policies of the job description,” he said. “That is what a big part went into my decision as the job is not the same as it used to be.”
Over the years, educators kept moving ahead, he said.
”From an academic point of view, I think that the fact no matter how our population was changed, we managed to keep children achieving, doing well, enjoying their education and being safe,” he said. “When they leave Weston, they still like school.”
Some of his favorite memories included flying in a two-seater plane dressed in an Easter bunny costume and getting his tie caught twice in the laminating machine.
Other memories included “being able to hire a staff and to put together a staff that are able to work together without going after each other,” he said. “The PTA has been the same way right through. It started committees, they bought the school sign my second year there, you worked with Laura (Landau), and we created these after-school clubs, and they still manage to go on; the fact that a number of things we started lasted so long, and some of them had their run.”
Two goals Mr. Frank set for himself back in 1993 was to increase the amount of science in the school and to have all the children come out as readers at the end of third grade.
Mr. Frank initiated the Reading Slumber Party, which has taken place every year since he came to Weston with the exception of this year. It was a way to get families to come out Friday night, in their pajamas if they wanted, lie in the hallways of the school and spent an hour reading.
”I remember having a week-old baby coming out, and there were about 250 people one year,” he said. “We probably have about 12 to 18 parents who came as students with their families and one teacher who was a student when I started.”
There are three staff members who still are teaching at Weston who have been there the entire time with Mr. Frank. Vicki Perkins, Michelle Sniscak and Dale Mutek welcomed him to the Weston family.
Parent Kellie Janes has had her three daughters in Weston School with Mr. Frank.
”Megan started at Weston in September 1997, and the first warm, friendly smile to greet her, even before her incredible teacher, was Mr. Frank,” she said. “He knew her name before the month was over and has never stopped asking how she is.
”Then along came Rachel, and he was still there every day, smiling and being who he is. Eight straight years at Weston, and I thought my time with him was done. Then along came Hannah a few years later and back to Weston for another four years. Each morning, she was greeted by Mr. Frank’s smiling face while he helped her out of the car (one of the best traditions ever).
”He has touched the lives of so many Manville children, and for that we are so grateful. At a time when we are all hugging our children a little tighter and thanking God for giving us the amazing educators that Manville is blessed with, we now have to let Mr. Frank move on to the next phase of his life. I thank you, Mr. Frank, for all that you have done for and been to our children! You are, without a doubt, irreplaceable, and dropping our children off at Weston each day will never be the same!
”Good luck to whomever has to fill your shoes! We all love you and wish you the best.”
Student Nate Bott, who is now in the Navy, remembered Mr. Frank fondly.
”Mr. Frank is a unique individual that only a few people in their life get to meet,” he said. “I’ve known Mr. Frank for 20 years now since he first stepped in the doors at Weston School as principal. I was just entering the first grade. Through the years, Mr. Frank kept in touch with us. I’ve seen him at high school sporting events showing support to the teams and the students he once helped guide to where they were. Manville school system is losing more than just a elementary school principal. They are losing a scholar, an educator and a guardian, but, most of all, a friend.”
He added, “Mr. Frank, thank you for the love, guidance and friendship you have offered throughout your career.”
Another student, Kim Blair, who played on the softball team Mr. Frank coached for four years, could not believe the day would come when Weston School would not have Mr. Frank.
”I can’t believe Mr. Frank is retiring,” she said. “He was such an amazing principal. He made everyone feel important and took the time to talk to every kid in Weston School and let them know he cared. It meant so much that he knew everyone by our names. Not everyone would do that.”
Mr. Frank was involved in the community, too. His wife, Valerie, is a Board of Education member and daughter, Lindsay, lives in Manville. He served two terms on the library board of trustees and two years on the Board of Health.
Mr. Frank said his plans for retirement include things to do around the house and, perhaps, staying in education as a substitute.
”I really would like to do something that I like and enjoy,” he said. “I like animals so there might be something there. I like sports. I am pretty much open; I have no definite plans. I will still be around. I will be spending some more time with my dad, and spending time with family is a piece of it.”
As for tomorrow, Mr. Frank is looking forward to his last day as principal of Weston School.
”Neither rain nor snow nor dead of night is going to keep me from being out there on the 25th of January, opening those car doors for one last time,” he said.

