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Falcon Golfer Eliminated

By Alex T. : 21 May 2013

David G. chipping the ball during the second round of the Sectional Tournament.
David G. chipping the ball during the second round of the Sectional Tournament.

Family Falcon David G. was eliminated after the second match of the Section IX Class D Boys Varsity Golf tournament.

David had a solid season as the anchor on the Falcons Varsity Golf team with a season best score of 35 at French Woods, a par 36 course.

David advanced to the Section IX Qualifiers where he then advanced to the second round.

He was eliminated in the second round after shooting a 91.

“It wasn’t how I wanted to finish the season. The most upsetting thing wasn’t that I got eliminated, what got to me was the fact that I didn’t play to the best of my abilities. I could have gotten a better score, I’m a better golfer than that, but it doesn’t get me anywhere dwelling in the past,” said David.

Averaging 4.1 over par during the regular season, David was one of the better scoring golfers in Section IX.

“He’s a good golfer, he’s got a great swing and he’s a smart player. You can tell he’s gotten years of experience by the way he plays on the course,” said teammate Oren B.

David G. had a good season and plans on training and sharpening his skills to be better prepared for his next season, wherever it may be.

Nerd Herd Trip

By Alex T. : 13 May 2013

The Nerd Herd students taking a photo with Mike Argiros.
The Nerd Herd students taking a photo with Mike Argiros.

Mike Argiros, President of The Family School, took a group of students that participate in a weekly event called “Nerd Herd” out to Hancock, NY for a night on the town.

After an abundance of pizza and soda for dinner at Little Italy, the students moved on to Capra Cinema to watch the newly released Iron Man 3.

“It was cool to be able to get off campus for a little, I had been an active member of Nerd Herd and I’m glad that we got this opportunity. I had a good time,” said Mike C.

The students were able to get a large soda, a large popcorn, and a box of candies

“The movie itself was a treat. The pizza dinner, candy and popcorn were just a bonus,” said Zach P.

 

5K Bridge Run

By Alex T. : 5 May 2013

Jeff Brain, Chris M., Neil W., Carlton W., Bryan L., Jason G., Phil L., Alex B., John A., Gen P., Liz O., and Aviv B-A.
Jeff Brain, Chris M., Neil W., Carlton W., Bryan L., Jason G., Phil L., Alex B., John A., Gen P., Liz O., and Aviv B-A.

Jeff Brain, Dean of Admissions and Cross Country coach, took a group of 8 students to Binghamton to compete in the 5K Bridge Run.

The Binghamton Bridge Run is a huge event drawing over 1500 participants for the 5K and half marathon races.

FFS’s own Chris M. came in 13 out of a total of 760 runners with a time of 20:20.

Jason Garnar, Director of College Counseling and Director of The Bridge Program came in 37 with a time of 22:27. It was his first official 5K run.

“It was fun, I love running so the 5K was a blast for me. I wasn’t thinking about winning I was just enjoying myself. I hope the next 5K comes up soon,” said Chris M.

Spring Cleaning

By Alex T. : 25 April 2013

James D. planting in the new garden.
James D. planting in the new garden.

Spring is upon us and here at the Family School that means it’s clean up time.

Jeff Brain, Director of Admissions, Glenn Singer, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Marian Curtis, Admissions and Outreach Counselor, and a handful of students revamped the Family School with an array of floral decorations and shrubbery.

“I’m glad I got to help out with the gardening. Everything was looking a bit bland and it’s cool knowing that I helped in making things look better,” said junior Kaled S.

The project started on Thursday, April 25 and ended on April 27.

Energy Issues

By Alex T. : 10 April 2013

Senior/Copy Editor Alex T.
Senior/Copy Editor Alex T.

The Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act is a legislative proposal in the United States Congress to define hydraulic fracturing as a federally regulated activity under the safe water drinking act.

The proposed act would require the energy industry to disclose the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing fluid.

The companies that make up the energy industry all oppose this legislation.

Only a paragraph in and I’m already worried. How come the energy industry is so quick to oppose the legislation? What do they have to hide from everyone?

According to Catskill Mountainkeeper, A recent study from Duke University confirms one plausible mechanism for exposure and adverse health effects related to drilling by demonstrating a significant increase of methane levels in the water supplies of communities near drilling sites.

The cause of these health effects are mostly related to the contamination of drinking water. The areas that surround drilling sites are at risk of having chemicals in their drinking water. The most common is methane, a highly flammable chemical compound.

Oh. That’s what the energy industry is worried about. I can’t blame them for taking necessary precautions in keeping their business alive, but I can blame them for holding the life of their business at greater importance than the safety and wellbeing of communities.

In my opinion I say they should accept the legislation as it is, they aren’t being asked to cease their entire operation and hand everything over.

The only thing they’re being asked to do is to show everyone what’s really happening, what the real risks are so that landowners and communities can make informed decisions about whether or not to allow the extraction of natural gas via hydraulic fracturing.

I don’t think I’m the only hesitant person when it comes to fracking, I’m all for providing the world with an energy source so that we can power our modern-day lives but it should be done responsibly. I don’t believe civilians lives should be put in danger just to make a quick buck.

If the legislation can provide opportunities to improve the safety in hydraulic fracturing why not agree?

The only down side to the FRAC Act is that it might make things for the energy industry a bit harder for a little while, until further resolution to health risks are found.

Agree to the terms on the FRAC Act and improve on hydraulic fracturing.

Party Tonight, Court in the Morning

Matt S: 5 April 2013

Matt S.
Matt S.

Two high school football players, from Steubenville, Ohio, were charged with the rape of a 16-year-old West Virginian girl on Sunday, March 17.

Trent Mays, 17, and Ma’lik Richmond, 16, were both found guilty in the raping of the 16-year-old girl. The two boys were charged as juveniles, after Judge Thomas Lipps announced his decision after he reviewed evidence over a four day testimony in the case against Mays and Richmond.

Mays, 17, was sentenced to a minimum of two years in a juvenile correctional facility. Richmond was sentenced to a minimum of one year, but like Mays, both could be in detention until they are 21.

Both boys will be required to register as sex offenders and undergo treatment while they remain in detention.

This court case could have been avoided if the teens weren’t under the influence of alcohol. Apparently both boys and the teen girl were so drunk, they couldn’t remember what happened.

“We didn’t have sex, I swear. I don’t know what happened. I don’t remember,” the victim testified.

Underage drinking is big problem for many teens. In this case, the two athletes ruined their careers and their lives due to the underage drinking. Drinking ruins the lives of thousands of teens every year. The problem is there is no stopping the parties, the booze, or the consequences.

For every action there is a reaction and this is the reaction of the two boys being so drunk that they don’t even remember what they did.

The teens underage drinking and the alleged rape could potentially ruin the young girls life and cost the boys several years in a juvenile correctional facility. The two boys are going to be registered sex offenders for the rest of their lives.

 

Easter Fun

By Alex T. : 2 April 2013

Mann House girls decorating Easter eggs.
Mann House girls decorating Easter eggs.

“We have a tradition here at The Family School. It makes Easter fun,” said junior Phil L.

The tradition here at FFS is fairly simple, but is all the fun needed to celebrate the holiday.

First on the agenda –the egg hunt.

All 91 students gathered in the gym to receive instructions. Over four hundred eggs were distributed throughout the campus. Then, it was a race to see which House could accumulate the most eggs.

Head Chef Pablo Torres posing with the Wilson House boys for the Photo scavenger hunt.
Head Chef Pablo Torres posing with the Wilson House boys for the Photo scavenger hunt.

A party with pizza and wings went to the House in first place. Second prize was an ice cream party and the third place winner got a special treat for breakfast – pop tarts.

By the time they were released the students were so eager to scour the fields for eggs that they nearly trampled on another.

Easter dinner was fit for kings. Lamb, turkey, and ham made for a delightful change to the everyday routine.

An evening of bingo and more snacks concluded the festivities.

“It was fun. It was nice to breakaway from everyday routine and I had a great time,” said staff member Bryan Humman.

Bryan L. and Silas L. posing for photos during the scavenger hunt.
Bryan L. and Silas L. posing for photos during the scavenger hunt.

The festivities didn’t end there, on Monday the first of April the houses all participated in a photo scavenger hunt posing for pictures all around campus.

“Being able to wake up late on a Monday was awesome. I’m glad we got to sleep in, and then spend the rest of our day just hanging out and doing the scavenger hunt,” said sophomore David L.

“It was fun… I had a great time.”

Admissions Staff Attend Conference in New Jersey

Shannon S. : 23 March 2013

Jeff Brain, Dean of Admissions, and Iris Maclean, Admissions Director of  The Bridge Program, attended The Small Boarding School Association (SBSA) in New Jersey last week.

Brain facilitated a breakout session on college transition for students at risk: challenges and opportunities for college bound high school seniors along with Jeff Dvorak, Educational Consultant and learning consultant, and Mike Kowlacheck, Assistant Headmaster at The Forman School. The session was well attended by conference attendees and generated active dialogue.

SBSA provides those who work in and with small boarding schools a chance to share and learn from one another. The annual conference is the centerpiece of this organization, attended by small boarding school representatives from across the country. While membership in the organization has grown exponentially since its founding, SBSA’s mission has remained unchanged- sharing and collaborating the benefits and ideas of small schools. The association invites and encourages people to begin or continue researching with them.

Small is better, that is their motto.  Accoriding to The Small Boarding Schools website, “When it comes to boarding schools, small is better.” Small boarding schools are essentially driven so each tends to serve a specific type of student. Boarding schools are able to provide the structure twenty-four hours a day that  schools don’t offer and that parents want but can’t provide for their children consistently.

“When it comes to boarding schools, small is better.”

“It was an honor to present a workshop session at SBSA, and being able to do so with two colleagues from other schools expanded the depth of the information shared,”said Brain.

Attending conferences is one of the many ways administration and staff at The Family School can be proactive, learn, and put new ideas into practice. Brain and Maclean are dedicated to their work in bringing positive and helpful feedback from consultations they attend.

Zag Madness

By Alex T. 17 March 2013

Alex T.
Alex T.

It’s about time to watch some good old fashioned college basketball.

March Madness is without a doubt the highlight of the season.

As the season winds down, emotions wind up. And that’s especially true for the Gonzaga University Bulldogs.

Finishing number one in the WCC (West Coast Conference) with an undefeated record of 16-0 in their conference the Zags have quite a bit to be happy about.

It’s the very first time in the history of the basketball program that they have finished number one overall.

The first place record isn’t the only thing they have on their decorated list of season accomplishments; they finished regular season play with the best record in NCAA division 1 basketball, with 34 wins and only two losses.

With Gonzaga’s starting five players you can’t really expect too much less.

Kevin Pangos, a 6’2” sophomore point guard from Newmarket, Ontario is averaging 11.5 points per game shooting 40 percent from the arc and is playing with a level of intensity that is almost unparalleled.

Notice I stated that he is ALMOST unparalleled. Kelly Olynyk, a 7’0” junior from Kamloops, British Columbia seems to be hogging the limelight with his average of 17.5 points per game and his WCC player of the year award.

Shooting 62.5 percent from the field and finding himself as the leader on the number one ranked team in the country, while in consideration for numerous post season awards including the Wooden Award and Naismith Award, Olynyk seems to be handling things with great poise.

The frontcourt is also strengthened by the presence of 6’7″ senior forward Elias Harris. Averaging 14.9 points per game with an astounding physical presence Harris is a deadly opponent to face. Having Olynyk, Harris, and Pangos on the court together is almost frightening.

So how come none of the experts are picking Gonzaga to make the finals?

Because the Bulldogs lack elite competition in the WCC, but their 5-0 record against the Big 12 highlighted by a win over Oklahoma State Cowboys prove that the lack of competition hasn’t held them back from the bigger and better conferebces.

If Gonzaga gets past Ohio State and makes it to the Final Four, they will most likely have to play Duke or Louisville, and most sports analysts’ don’t think that they can hold their own against Louisville’s defensive play or Duke’s Hard Offensive system.

So as the Bulldogs enter the first round of March Madness against Southern University let’s all hope that Olynyk, Pangos, and the rest of the Bulldogs can keep up the consistency and prove the so called experts wrong.