The Family Times December-January 2010 Archive
In March of 2008 Craig and Julie Sautner moved to the town of Montrose, Pa. not knowing what was in store for them. Shortly after settling in, the Sautners were approached by Cabot Oil & Gas with an offer to lease their land for …
The Family Foundation School congratulates Jack and Jake, along with their owner, Jeff Brain, on becoming certified therapy dogs. The certification was awarded by Therapy Dogs International (TDI). The pair of beagles are 15 months old and …
Did you know that one out of five genes in your body is patented by somebody else? According to Patent Attorney Pat Noonan, private firms and universities hold the majority. Technically, they own the legal rights for what makes you, you. Now …
I stared at the cuts and bruises on my knuckles, enraged with everyone in my life, blaming them for my unfathomable unhappiness. I sat in the locker room of The Family Foundation School with a bunch of people who I’d never met …
From what we as humans know, animals do not continually over-analyze things. A zebra looks at a plant and apparently accepts it as one. If he is hungry, and has seen other zebras eat it before, then so will he. He does not have an issue with …
What was the last thing you spent over one hundred dollars on? Was it something impulsive, like a dress you will wear only once, or a lavish meal that you will forget by the next? Wouldn’t it be great to say that rather than obtaining material things …
Ann Kozak of The Family Foundation School marketing staff reports that a small group of Hancock area residents met recently to begin researching the feasibility of a consumer food co-op in Hancock. The group, made up of village, town, and …
DEC’s SGEIS Labeled “Catastrophic!”
With the gas companies itching to get their hands on the extremely valuable gas contained in the Marcellus Shale, more and more officials and residents of New York are speaking up about the dangers natural gas drilling poses to drinking water …
Things are starting to kick in gear on the construction of the new Lourdes Clinic located on the corner of East Main St. and Read St. in downtown Hancock The concrete foundation pouring and drying process is expected to last about …
New Events Facility in Hancock
The Hancock House Hotel is a favorite for The Family Foundation School students when they go out to eat or hang out for the night with their parents. 2010 promises some new opportunities for breakfast and lunch. Fannie’s Cafe will be …
FFS Students Spread Holiday Cheer
On December 18th, six students from The Family Foundation School returned to the Youngsville School in NY to join them for their holiday party. The students had visited the school before Halloween to participate in their Drug …
In recent years, The Family Foundation School debate team has been one of the best in the area. Former FFS teacher, Bruce Hutchison, helped them to become the great debaters they were. Hutchison was not only the coach; he was also …
New Director of Counseling at FFS
Mark P. Vogel, Ph.D., who has been a consulting psychologist at The Family Foundation School since 2007, has been named Director of Counseling. A veteran clinical psychologist, Dr. Vogel is a graduate of Rutgers University, and received …
Medal Awarded to Long-Time Trooper
David J. Schoonmaker, son of David and Leta Schoonmaker, former The Family Foundation School staff, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and promoted to Master Sergeant in Olympia, Washington on November 17, 2009.
New Scout Leader for Troop 174
After the departure of Bruce Hutchison, The Family Foundation School scoutmaster for many years, Troop #174 has been in search of a new leader. Fortunately, Scott Cole, FFS history teacher, has decided to take over as leader of the scouts.
The Health Office has hired a new LPN, Mia Rotundo, who will start the job in February. Welcome Mia! Also, Donna Broce, Compliance Officer, is now tracking The Family Foundation School’s compliance with The Joint Commision (TJC) …
Activists Fight for the Loves of 23,000 Dolphins
The seafood business is one of the most profitable industries in Japan, but around the world the business of trained dolphins is also huge money maker. Television shows like “Flipper” have helped this business boom, and it seems like there …
I began my correspondence with Ryan B. back in October. My family leader, Jan Cheripko, announced that he had heard from a former student who was serving a long prison term, and that he would be delighted to receive letters from …
The last night of Hanukkah was not a quiet night of candle lighting at The Family Foundation School. All of the Jewish students went out to the synagogue Agudas Achim in Livingston Manor for a party to end the Festival of Lights.
“We are all asleep…,” said Terry McCarthy, in the first meeting on The Day of Recollection. The day is just what its title says: it was a day to recollect, a day to elaborate on thoughts, to recollect memories, and to recollect your program.
Cleaning the House, Program Style
At each of the last two graduations, the school underwent many changes. Graduating students and staff departed, houses combined together, routines transformed and students stepped up. On the other hand, the school went …
Chris B. was voted January student of the month, after being at The Family Foundation School for a little over a year. Chris, who is scheduled to graduate in June 2010, said, “The contrast between the way I was living at home and …
Christmas With a Different Kind of Family
It was their first Christmas away from home for some students at The Family Foundation School. As the holiday grew nearer and nearer these students began to remember the holiday at home. Whether the memory is good or bad it is …
Extensive Service Comes To An End
The student body was silent on the Friday morning chapel service on December 4 as Father Ralph Groskoph told them that he was stepping down from his role at The Family Foundation School and would be retiring.“I surely won’t miss the …
Praying Together for the Last Time
To conclude the day of recollection and baccalaureate, Father Stephen Morris offered to hold a vigil and midnight Mass for the December graduates of The Family Foundation School. Students met at Whiting Hall to head up to the chapel …
If You Learn To Trust, God Will Provide
For the majority of my stay at The Family Foundation School I found myself clicking up with like-minded girls, sliding under the radar, and lying to anyone around me. Although many people called me out on my ridiculous behavior, I did not …
Jimmy S. is a 14-year-old from Tannersville, Pennsylvania. He arrived at The Family Foundation School on September 29, 2008 after having trouble at home and in school. Fifteen months later, he has put those problems behind him a day …
Winter Break Fun at The Family School
Winter break at The Family Foundation School kicked off on Wednesday, December 23. For the next week and a half the houses competed in events which included sports, academics, arts and crafts, a talent show, cleaning of the families …
Shopping for the Christmas Spirit
On December 16, The Family Foundation School held its annual Christmas shopping trip to Binghamton to buy presents for their peers. FFS has a tradition in which the students write what they want for Christmas on an index card and another …
This winter break, The Family Foundation School houses participated in a week-long competition with one another. The week concluded with a talent show and arts competition in which every student participated. The houses set up …
Betton House students have made it through the holidays with smiles on their faces. Though many thought it would be a quiet holiday because a large group of students were on visits, the holidays were cheerful and certainly not quiet. Betton …
At the turn of the year, Lake House and Smith House merged to form a new Lake House, living in the old Smith House space. During this past month, the families have utilized the winter break to their advantage, becoming closer as a family by …
Mann House has gone through a lot of changes in the last two months. The students and staff said their farewells to December ’09 graduates Khalfani M., Patrick C., Thomas O., and Ezekiel G. With the graduates gone, Sarah V., Jordon N., …
The month of December passed quite smoothly this year. As a result of December graduation Wilson House lost two long-time family members Oleg F. and Paul P. “Oleg had a really positive impact on my stay.”, said Ross A. Oleg was the most …
December was a rough month for Talbot House. Seniors Austin C., Henry W., and Kendra S. left the school, along with Alyssa C. They also lost staff members Juanita Piecece, Bill Hazen, Mike Allen, and Veronica Heesh. Pat Brown, Shirley …
Nat L. arrived at The Family Foundation School on January 26, 2007 because of anger and problems with dishonesty. He enrolled in Family Seven, now known as Talbot House. His sponsor was Jan Cheripko who helped him in ways that he could …
Natasha S. came to The Family Foundation School on July 14, 2008. She was welcomed into Family One (Betton House) by both the staff and students. Natasha had many struggles, the largest of which were problems with boys and …
Patrick M. arrived at The Family Foundation School in December 2007. He was welcomed into Family Eight, and when it dissolved, he was put in Family Five, where he spent the last six months of his stay. At first Patrick was resistant to …
Kirby C. came to The Family Foundation School on September 5, 2007. Before that her life consisted of disrespect towards her father, drugs, and other reckless behavior. She was welcomed into Family Two where she says that the girls …
Courtney R. arrived at The Family Foundation School on October 11, 2007. She was in Family Two during her stay. She was sent to FFS for her drug use and disrespect towards the people who loved her. Courtney’s biggest struggle while at …
Before Joanna G. arrived at The Family Foundation School, she described her actions as doing everything wrong. She didn’t go to school, smoked pot, didn’t have a job, and just “hung out.” In December of 2005, she was enrolled at FFS. She has …
Alena T. arrived at The Family Foundation School miserable and out of control. However, after almost two years of hard work, she has a life that she is proud of. Alena arrived at The Family School on August 31, 2007, and left on …
Chris B. arrived at The Family Foundation School on October 6, 2006, in Family Three (now known as Lake House) because of substance abuse, bad relationships, and other dangerous behaviors. He started doing real work his …
Andrew S. lived a life full of deceit and manipulation that was typical of others who were sent to The Family Foundation School. “I was close to being a pathological liar,” said Andrew. At first he was resistant to change. “I wouldn’t let anybody …
For most of his stay at The Family Foundation School, Andre G. struggled with unwillingness and resistance. Andre arrived on February 21, 2006. He was put into Family Four (Mann House) and was given Rick Reeve as a sponsor. “I was so …
Brenda M. arrived at The Family Foundation School in May of 2007. She was sent to the school for cutting classes and getting in trouble with the law. After arriving, Brenda struggled with being honest and had difficulty forming healthy …
Jordan S. came to The Family Foundation School due to a life of stealing, drugs, lies, and violence. She had no idea how much the school would change her life. Jordan arrived at FFS February 26, 2006. She was in Family Four (Mann House) with …
The Stranger is a testament to Albert Camus’ literary prose and ability. After reading this incredible work it was a no-brainer why he received the Nobel Prize for literature for this novel. It is a gripping view of the human psyche and its role …
Based on a true story, “The Blind Side” is a rags-to-riches, heartwarming and loving film that is sure to keep a smile on your face. Early in the movie, the protagonist, Michael Oher, is introduced as a poor, unwanted and lost …
China’s one-child per family policy is leaving 24 million men bride-less and lonely. With all that festering testosterone, things may go downhill fast. Women are in low numbers and will be badgered by hundreds of men all looking for the same …
The Family Foundation School Falcons played the Chapel Field Wildcats, their arch-rivals, at home on January 5. The game ended with a score of 51-37 Wildcats. The Wildcats started off hot, winning the tip-off and scoring the first basket of …
Behind Family Foundation School guards Nadine N. and Denise T. who combined for 32 points, the FFS Falcons gave the Roscoe Blue Devils a run for their money on December 14 at home as the game went down to the wire, 49-47, Roscoe.
Snow falling, icicles dripping, and footballs flying through the air, this is Sunday—Family School style. Although there is always church in the morning, Sundays are spent getting exercise, with a bit of fun added in the mix.
A Day of Thanksgiving and Harvest
