by Jeffrey Stanley

“I’m addicted.” Lower School administrative assistant Trish DeFalco was referring to the bag of salt and vinegar potato chips she had just opened, despite the fact that they aren’t Atkins-approved. She and staff writer Jeff Stanley, also an Atkins devotee, sat down over the chips and Diet Dr. Peppers in the cafeteria last week to binge on carbs while they chatted.

1. How many years have you worked here in the Lower School?
Six years.

2. You have a daughter here, right?
Yes. Sixth grade.

3. How do you think she feels about having her mom in the building all the time? Is it a good thing or a bad thing for her at her age?
She definitely thinks it’s cool. I don’t know how long that’s gonna last. I think she thinks I’m going to college with her.

4. Why’s that?
Before, I worked at Plymouth Church School in Brooklyn Heights. She was a student there. Then she got accepted here and I came here. Like I said...

5. What do you think is your biggest challenge being a mother?
Fitting everything in. Working full time, her extracurricular activities. Finding
ways to have fun quality time together. We always find a way though.

6. What’s the biggest reward?
There can be so many answers to that question. More love than your heart can
possibly hold.

7. What else did you do in your previous life before coming to BFS?
I followed the Grateful Dead once for four and half months. My friend and I made tie-
dyed Rice Krispy treats and sold them in the parking lot. They were quite a hungry
bunch so we made a lot of money.

8. Did anything wild ever happen?
One time a guy offered me a half-eaten ham sandwich for one.

9. Did you take it?
No, I gave him the treat but I didn’t take the sandwich. We needed money, not a ham
sandwich.

10. What do you do when you’re not busting heads in the Lower School? Any hobbies or leisure time activities?
My daughter and I love sports. We go to sporting events. I like music so I go to
a lot of concerts. Cooking and watching American Idol together.

11. What was the last big concert you saw?
Jimmy Buffet at Jones Beach. One thing I missed out on was back in the summer of
2001 I desperately tried to get tickets to see U2 at Slane Castle in Ireland. I was
unsuccessful so I canceled my trip.

12. I hear you’ve been to Ireland a bunch of times.
Yes, my dad’s entire family is there, he is the only one in the States. The last time Sarah and I traveled there was March, 2003. God, it’s been a long time since our last visit.
Ireland is so incredibly beautiful.

13. What’s your favorite place there?
It’s quite hard to pick just one favorite place. But I would have to say the west coast is
absolutely amazingly gorgeous. My favorite places would have to be the Dingle
peninsula in County Kerry, Doolin in County Clare and the Connemara coast in County Galway.

14. Did you grow up in the city?
Are you kidding? Can’t you tell by my accent where I’m from?

15. Yeah, you’re from the deep south, right?
No! I’m from Long Island. Bellmore.

16. Where do you live now?
Brooklyn Heights.

17. What’s your favorite New York City restaurant?
Bamonte’s in Williamsburg. I love it. Classic, authentic southern Italian food. And the
waiters have been there for over thirty years. It’s never changed. It’s really—what would I say?—perfect.

18. Desert island - what 3 things?
Salt and vinegar chips and Diet Dr. Pepper. And sunscreen.

19. What’s your sign?
Gemini.