By Austin C.
Admissions
The Family Foundation School welcomed six new families in February. The school received visits from Robert Kantor, an education consultant from Vermont, as well as from the Executive Director and Admissions Director of the Adirondack Leadership Expeditions wilderness program. While they were here, the two directors met with all students at the school who attended that program. Jeff Brain, Vice President of External Affairs and Director of Admissions, attended the 23rd annual conference of The Association of Student Assistance Professionals of New Jersey in Atlantic City, NJ. Brain also met with education consultant Suzanne Scott in Philadelphia, Pa.
Administration
Rita Argiros gave a presentation in February entitled “Animal Assistant Therapy and Managing the Runaway Incident” to the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) in Austin, Tx. In the next year Argiros plans to raise money to work with the local animal shelter in fostering and training dogs to make them adoptable. The administration is raising money to get equipment for the dog training trailer. Also, the two snow tubing trips that were cancelled during winter break were held during February.
Maintenance
The maintenance crew installed the heating and air conditioning systems in the new dorm. They poured concrete for the floors, and completed the roof. They are renovating Family Six’s dining room. The walls have been repainted, new floor tiles have been put in, old windows have been replaced, and the bathrooms are being redone. Maintenance also worked extremely hard to keep the walkways and roads free of snow to maintain a safe living and working environment in what has been a real old-fashioned winter.
Performing Arts
The drama department is preparing for the March performance of three one-act plays. Show choir and chorus are in full rehearsal for the annual North American Music Festival. The performing arts department is in the process of expanding the instrumental program at The Family School. The show choir is looking forward to having a larger pit band to accompany their singing.
Athletics
The winter sports season is drawing to a close. The boys’ basketball team did well and made the sectional playoffs. The girls’ basketball team didn’t have a winning season, but they worked very hard and learned a lot this year. The cheerleaders participated in the Orange County Cheerleading Competition on Saturday, February 21, in Kingston, NY. The spring season started with golf and softball tryouts on Saturday, February 7. The first practice for spring sports was scheduled for March 4. Golf coach Thomas Wood and softball coach Missy Dunlap will be leading their teams once again. Physical education classes have introduced cardiovascular exercise as a part of the curriculum with jump roping, relay races, and rope climbing.
