By Dave Warner
LITTLE FALLS, NY – Benton Hall Academy, the sole elementary school in the Little Falls City School District serving grades pre-K through 5, hosted its annual back-to-school fair and open house on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The event provided an opportunity for students and families to meet teachers, explore classrooms, tour the historic building – recognized as the oldest public school structure in New York State – and connect with various community resources.
The combined fair and open house featured indoor activities focused on school orientation, alongside outdoor booths showcasing local programs and services. Amy Bladek, the Family School Navigator at Benton Hall Academy and a key collaborator with the Ready for Kindergarten initiative, described the event in an interview, highlighting its dual purpose.
“This is Benton Hall Academy’s back-to-school fair and open house. They’re happening simultaneously,” Bladek said. “Open House is where the kids and families can go in and meet their new teachers, check out their classrooms, and tour the school and outside.”
The outdoor fair emphasized community partnerships, offering practical support for families as the new academic year begins. “We have community programs and school programs that provide more information,” Bladek explained. “We have free haircuts from Nicky Marie’s. We have vision screening from Dr. Wolner. We have our PTC that helps out a lot with our school. We have collaborations with the public library, with the Ready for Kindergarten Program, and the Girl Scouts.”
A special highlight was the introduction of the school’s mascot, the Mounty, whose costume was donated through the Ready for Kindergarten program. “The Mountycostume was donated so that he would be ready for kindergarten,” Bladek noted. “That was a donation from Ready for Kindergarten, and he’ll be seen a lot over the district, at different events.”
Located at 15 Petrie Street in Little Falls, Benton Hall Academy enrolls approximately 450+ students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of about 11:1. Events like this underscore the school’s commitment to fostering strong family and community ties, preparing students for a successful year ahead.
