The Family Foundation School is an accredited boarding school for at-risk teens formerly involved in behavior ranging from disrespecting their parents to drug and alcohol abuse. Students are exposed to a new way of living based on the 12-Step program and the principles of honesty, purity, unselfishness and love. The students who produce The Family Times strive to live the message of the 12-Steps… More
By Ross A.
I had a countdown for December 12, the day my friends graduated, and the last high school graduation I would witness here as a student. I had one thought coursing through my mind: I’m next. The day finally came when the reality hit me: I was graduating in six months. I thought about it day in and day out for a while, until my constant discussion of a graduation trip with two of my friends landed us on blackout with each other, not being able to speak, and earned us a table topic about being “out the door.”
“Out the door” is the term commonly used to describe a state of mind that every Family Foundation School graduate is familiar with. It means that one is so intently awaiting something yet to come that he isn’t mentally where he is supposed to be: in the day. At FFS it almost always refers to seniors being excited to graduate; their mind is figuratively out the front door; they are already gone.
This feeling in me eventually settled and I then experienced a milestone in my final six months at FFS. On January 24, we graduates had our exit letter workshop. We wrote letters to our parents discussing how we expect things to be when we graduate, and are currently awaiting responses from them telling us what they expect from us. I began to wonder, “Are we doing this too soon? Graduation isn’t for five months.”
The necessity of the workshop was explained to me, and I realized that I must plan, but must also find balance. I need to learn how much conversation regarding graduation, even regarding the future in general, I can handle and still be able to be content, be of service to people, and stay in the day. It is truly a struggle though. Even writing this article serves as a catalyst for a mental vacation, with the beautiful, sunny destination of June graduation.
Some graduates have day countdowns, some have week countdowns, these are statistics I’d simply rather not know. I usually ask other graduates not to verbalize their day counts around me, but students aren’t the only ones reminding me of my impending departure. I even have to ask my mother to stop reminding me of graduation. She loves to allude to the brevity of my remaining stay in every letter and phone call we have. I sometimes think she may be more excited than I am.
Of course, it is normal for a senior to be excited, as I am, but I need to keep clear just how much excitement is good for me. I must also be considerate of the newer students who are not going to be leaving with me. I have to remember the feeling of being a junior, enviously listening to the seniors boast about graduating, knowing that I had a long arduous road ahead of me.
I also believe that along with benefiting my present spiritual fitness, staying in the day paradoxically benefits my future as well. The less I think about the road ahead, the less prone I am to make a grave mistake right now that could be detrimental to the future that I am planning.
While searching for a healthy balance regarding graduation, I have found myself with one foot in and one foot out — my consciousness split between the present and the future. I am finding out that even while planning for my future, I can spiritually and emotionally have both feet in today. It seems that focusing on the tasks at hand and having my heart here now, is the best option I have.
I have many tools that I use to make this difficult task a little bit easier. Getting out of myself and being of service to other people is my biggest aid. It takes the focus off me and my problems. I also try to focus on what is directly in front of me.
Ultimately, I have to keep catching myself when I get caught up in anxiety about the future, and remind myself that all I need to focus on is today.
Learning Manners, 1900’s Style
By Liam M.
Recently, a FedEx delivery woman came to The Family Foundation School to drop off some packages. What would normally be a routine job turned unusual when she wound up standing at the glass door with her packages, after students let the door close in her face.
She was shocked. Her experience had always been of FFS students running to hold the door for her and greet her pleasantly.
As a friendly and not too judgmental way of highlighting our need for consideration and respect of others, The Family Times will bring back “The Goops” from 1900 and let them demonstrate a better way to live together.
Some of the points that we will be covering with the help of The Goops are:
Helpfulness
- Holding doors and helping carry things.
- Doing other’s jobs alongside them.
Deference/Respect/Awareness
- Surrendering seats and other acts of courtesy
- Table manners
- Interrupting and being too demanding
- Giving people the attention they deserve
Episcopalian Students “Deepen Faith” at Class
By Erika C.
February is, in most people’s minds, the dreariest month of the year. Although the snow is blowing and the temperatures are still freezing, spirituality and preparing for spring is helping The Family Foundation School students stay warm and get through the cold.
Episcopal priest Father Liz Groskoph holds a class every Tuesday for students interested in growing in their faith.
Father Liz has been teaching classes like this for about six years now as well as being a priest for over 20 years. She has worked at FFS for eight years and has spent that time trying to bring students closer to what they believe to be God.
Father Liz enjoys watching students grow spiritually. She does activities with the students that she believes will interest and excite them. “The main focus is to deepen faith and to learn more about denominational traditions,” said Father Liz. Students participate in Bible studies, study prayer and traditions, and learn to worship together. She likes how the class is directed mostly by what the students are interested in and their spiritual needs.
The class meets until spring, when students will have a chance to meet with Bishop Skip, who comes to visit FFS at least twice a year. The bishop will come to each lunch with students who wish to do so and are interested in asking the him questions.
In June the bishop will join Father Liz at Grace Church, where she currently serves, for the Official Visitation. Kids from her Episcopal Class will have the option of attending to make a Profession of Faith, which is either being confirmed into the Episcopal Church or reaffirming baptismal vows.
“I love learning more about Episcopal Studies and all the things we do with it,” said Amanda W., a student who attends the class weekly. “If people are going to learn, they have to start where they are and hopefully we are doing all this in the presence of God,” said Father Liz.
Brian McNeece
