The Family Times April 2009 Archive
Construction Gets Closer and Closer
Time is running out but the money is adding up. The new Lourdes Clinic in Hancock, N.Y., has raised approximately $1.74 million of the $2 million goal with assistance from their matching program and “Shoulder to Shoulder” campaign. The …
A long day of trial and error paid off as The Family Foundation School team Number 239 finished in the top 23 of the 389 teams who competed in Moody’s Mega Math Challenge, with an honorable mention and a $1,000 scholarship. There were …
Three more days, two more days, one more day, Yes! It’s finally my eighteenth birthday, I am finally an adult. I can now live on my own and fend for myself. This is a common misconception of many young people who turn the age …
Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him…” I once shared the view exhibited in this declaration made in his book Die Fröhliche Wissenschaft. Traumatizing experiences in my childhood left the …
Once, while on a train, I met an old man with the brightest eyes I had ever seen. He began to talk to no one in particular. As people smiled and nodded or politely excused themselves, I listened intently to the thoughts that seemed to …
A three-year battle against New York Regional Interconnect Inc. (NYRI) has finally been resolved. The company has formally withdrawn its application to build a 400-Watt, 190-mile power line. “It [NYRI] has no economic purpose for moving …
Drilling Dangers Evident But Still No Decisions Made
The possibility that the contaminants used in fracing fluid could pollute the Delaware River remains unresolved. Yet, Noel van Swol, champion of natural gas drilling in New York State, claims drilling is approaching sooner than …
Family Foundation School president and chief executive, Mike Argiros, and Rick Reeve, director of the Family Foundation Inc., sponsored a presentation for the community about the use of blogs and Twitter. The presentation was …
A recent decline in student participation in extracurricular activities prompted the administration to find a solution. They asked student government for help carrying out their idea. They came up with was the idea for an “Extracurricular …
Rick Reeve, executive director of The Family Foundation, Inc. recently began a 12-Step beginners meeting to focus on Steps one, two, and three. The meeting is called the “Beginners Meeting” and is held every Tuesday during …
The Family Foundation School welcomed five new families in April. Tom Miller, Clinical Director of Adirondack Leadership Expeditions, visited FFS in April to meet with students that had been sent to that wilderness program prior to coming …
Senior Floor staff member Tommy Cummings has accepted the new position of Student Life Manager. In describing the job, Rita Argiros, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, said, “[It’s to] put focus on the atmosphere of the …
Every family chooses a candidate that they feel is worthy of the honor. Then, every staff member, and students who have been here for over a year, to cast their votes. Students and staff are not required to vote for the nominee from their family.
In a few weeks, school days at The Family Foundation School won’t be quite so quiet as the hallways will be filled with the sound of music. For the first time in the school’s history, FFS is offering individualized music lessons for the …
Sun Moon Stars Rain, a novel by Family Foundation School English teacher Jan Cheripko, was selected as a finalist for the Audie Awards in the category of Best Audio Drama. Cheripko’s audiobook is up against the likes of …
The students at the middle school, here at The Family Foundation School, have begun a service project this month. The project will last throughout the rest of April and all of May. They are collecting the pull-tabs from aluminum cans. The tabs will …
I really like a boy in my family, but at this school we can’t have relationships. I’m trying to keep my distance so I don’t have the opportunity to flirt with him, but he always strikes up conversations with me and I don’t know how to be his …
In the Russian Orthodox calendar, Easter is celebrated on April 18, and its traditions continue until the following week. Natalya Kuchukov, Russian teacher, brought the Russian Orthodox tradition of the Easter celebration to …
One of the essential aspects of any 12-step program is a spiritual connection. A spiritual connection is about having faith in something greater than yourself, and knowing that you must rely on that power. Although a specific …
Leprosy is the deadliest of all the ancient plagues. It is one of man’s oldest blights. Those afflicted by this terrible disease have often been isolated from the public. Moses and his people battled with the dreadful ailment. Lepers were …
The Family Foundation School students, parents, and staff came together in the school gymnasium on April 9 for the Passover Seder—an evening of faith, food, and festivity. Rabbi Michele Medwin and staff members Chris Stein, Kurt Hock …
In celebration of Easter, students at The Family Foundation School had a day full of great food, outdoor activities, and time with friends. To start the day off with an outdoor activity, Family Five’s Joe Rogalavich set up an Easter egg hunt for …
Family One staff and students welcomed spring with open arms. The family spent a lot of time outside in April playing games and hanging out. Family Leaders Mike and Robin Ducey had separate men’s and women’s groups for the …
This month in Family Two Max R. and Ignacio A. received buddy and shadowing, and Demitri S. received junior sponsoring. Daphne Y. in now a girl’s dorm leader. Sean S. has moved from Family Four into the family. Family Two welcomed Tyler B. and …
This month Family Three has been getting ready for a fresh start as spring arrives and enjoying some quality time together. Family leaders Chris Stein and Lindy McCarthy organized a weekend of program activities to help clean house.
The unity in Family Four has continued to progress in a forward direction. Family Leader, Joe Petriella mentioned that the unity has been getting better, but the girls and the guys can all work on getting along with each other more.
This month Family Five has been doing well and is getting all geared up for spring. Family leaders Pete and Caren Jacques are planning a few local hikes to get into the spring spirit. Family Five’s senior members are continuing to meet with …
Family leaders Christine Speicher and Thomas “Woody” Wood are enjoying their time with Family Six this month. “The family is full of healthy relationships between the students and staff. Our family is doing good, but there are some struggles …
Bowling, pizza, and movies! An exciting month for Family Seven as they enjoyed their “Cabin Fever” trip in Honesdale, Pa. Students had a chance to test their bowling skills as their first stop was the bowling alley. Bowling was quite interesting …
Monopoly and Cranium. Music sessions with your friends. Basketball and Frisbee. Beginner A.A. Meetings and study hall. These are all part of The Family Foundation School activities held each weekday, 8th and 9th period. For the past …
Steven Z. is a June ‘02 Family Foundation School graduate, who, despite having his fair share of struggles while attending FFS, is now serving as a Marine in Afghanistan. After attending FFS for 18 months, Steven walked. He lived at the YMCA in …
Ian M. graduated from The Family Foundation School in December 2006. Since Ian’s departure from FFS his biggest struggle has been finding out who he really is. Ian has found that “jumping into the program” through getting a sponsor and support …
Rob M. graduated from The Family Foundation School in June 2008. Rob’s biggest struggle has been making new friends since he left FFS. Rob said, “Getting a sponsor and using my sponsor for help has been crucial in my recovery.”
Ian F. graduated from The Family Foundation School in June of 2008. Ian is attending Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. where he majors in Psychology. At Marywood he rooms with two of his friends from The Family School: Jon N. and Rob M.
Jon N., age 20, is a graduate of the Class of December 2007. Currently, Jon lives in the dorms at Marywood University with Family School alumni Rob M. and Ian F. Since Jon graduated, he has been living a healthy, sober lifestyle.
James R. attended Betton House between August ’06 and August ’07, and he has never been happier since the day that he became sober. Mike and Roxi Losicco, former directors of Betton House, helped James by giving him consequences …
Joe R. graduated from The Family Foundation School in June 2006. Joe’s biggest struggle since leaving FFS is finding a healthy balance between FFS and reality. Getting locked in with meetings, finding a sponsor and a support group …
Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge. To spice up the weekend and get the students moving, a dodge ball tournament was held in The Family Foundation School gym on Sunday, April 5. Family One was victorious in all of their games …
FFS Falcons Defeated By Franklin 8-4
The Lady Falcons softball team fought hard during their first home game against Franklin. They lost, however, with a final score of 8-4 Franklin on April 14. The top of the first inning started off with Franklin first up to bat.
Falcons Win First Game of the Season
Family Falcons’ shortstop Sarah V. stepped into the batter’s box in the first inning with no score and three of her teammates on base. She crushed the ball into the outfield leaving her with a grand slam and her team with four runs in the first …
Falcons Come Up Close But No Win
The Family Falcons Boys’ golf team tee’d off for a second time against the Sullivan West Wildcats on April 22nd. Unfortunately, the ball wasn’t rolling in the cup the way the Falcons planned and they lost to Sullivan West for a second time.
9th Annual Family Foundation School Awards Banquet
