The Family Times February 2009 Archive
The Family Foundation School Re-accredited by Middle States
Four members of the validating team from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) arrived at The Family Foundation School on February 23 to assess the school for re-accreditation. FFS was originally approved for a …
Could This Be the End of NYRI?
In a ruling issued on February 18, the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals said that if a state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) denies an application for a company like NYRI, the federal government cannot overturn it. This ruling takes a …
Five Test Wells Proposed in the Town of Hancock
This spring as the temperature heats up, the issue of natural gas drilling rises with it. The next move in the chess match between a major energy company and local environmentalists lies in the hands of the New York State Department of …
The 12 Step program grew out of a set of four principles known as the Four Absolutes. Although these absolutes are recommended for people in recovery, they can be applied to anyone’s life. In light of daily media revelations of …
A mother screams as she finds the cold dead body of her son on the floor of his bathroom with no note or warning, just a needle lying beside him. This is a common scene for drug overdoses all around the world, including the United States.
The pitch… The swing… CRACK! The ball flies out of the park and the fans roar in awe and excitement. The hitter rounds the bases as hundreds of small boys go crazy with exuberance in the stands; for that moment, he’s their hero. Many of them jump …
Back in the summer of 1994 I came to Hancock and purchased a cabin on 17 beautiful acres on Lang Road off Rd. 268, in Upper Cadosia. The welcome I got from everyone in the town and village was warm and friendly. Coming from a relatively big …
Hancock Village Elections Set for March 18th
Celia Vazquez has many innovative ideas for improving the Village of Hancock without losing its small-town charm. Is it possible? “It is a matter of combining forces,” said Vazquez. If elected, she plans to work with “anybody who is …
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 …
After planning and completing an Eagle Scout project, Andrew A., student at The Family Foundation School, received the rank of Eagle Scout. He is the fourth person to receive the rank while enrolled at FFS. This is the highest rank attainable in …
I’m not sure where or when I first heard this story. Perhaps it was on the radio while I was driving, maybe I read it, or someone told it to me. I do know, however, it had an effect on me then and I never forgot it. It still brings tears to my eyes when
FFS Staff Receives Personal Trainer Certification
He takes graduates for a run, trusted students into the woods for snowshoeing and plays football and basketball during Sunday activity with any students who sign up. However, these are only a few of the activities in which staff member …
The Family Foundation School’s chorus participated in the recording of a special television program produced by Tim Janis, composer and leader of the Tim Janis Ensemble, which aired March 1 on the PBS station in the Albany-Troy area.
Ted T. knows what it means to be a hard worker. A father of two, basketball coach, and Family Foundation School graduate, Ted has been working at The Family School since June of 1998. Before he started working at The Family School, Ted graduated …
Some students at The Family Foundation School do not like being here very much and feel so passionately about leaving that they are willing to risk their lives to run away. Sadly (or fortunately) for them, Rita Argiros has been training dogs for …
More activities, better grades, and a load of fun! Robin Ducey, Family One’s Family Leader, has put into practice a theory that shows a direct relationship between increased physical activity and a better ability to learn. John J. Ratey, Clinical Professor of …
A team of archaeologists and geologists conducted a study across North America, in which they discovered nanodiamonds in certain parts of soil. These nanodiamonds are produced under high-temperature, high-pressure conditions usually …
A Loose Look at Words That helped Save My Life
Many times young people who are getting serious about trying to find out more about God’s will for them will ask me: “What books should I be reading?” I spent some time with the most recent grads going over things that have helped …
Look out Family Foundation School! There’s a new book in town. After a year of hard work, Father Stephen Morris completed his composition of The Way of the Cross: My Way of Life. Father Stephen said, “I like to take old things the Church offers …
In my Russian class we recently read The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen and it made me think about how my life relates a lot to this story. The story begins with a troll, who represents the devil, and who owns a mirror. The troll thinks …
The Family Foundation School students were geared up and ready to hit the slopes for a well deserved snow tubing trip at Greek Peak Ski Lodge in Cortland, N.Y. on two of the Sundays in February. The trip had originally been scheduled for …
Dr. Ed Leung, biology teacher at The Family Foundation School, put together a day for students to learn how to perform DNA profiling in a process called gel electrophoresis. Dr. Leung is a graduate of the University of Florida with …
Family One jumped into some healthy, fun activities in February. Family leader Robin Ducey’s heart monitor research project is was kicked into full gear and the kids are loving it. Family One has also gotten some added fun on their …
Family 2 has successfully adapted to the chaos of post-graduation time, and now things have begun to come together. “Everything kinda settled,” James R. commented on Family Two as a whole. The family has been moving in …
With February being a cold and gray month, Family Three struggled more than usual. The level of compassion and unity hit a new “bottom” and there needed to be a solution. Staff members in the family put their heads together and got some …
After a long winter, Family Four decided that it’s time to go out and have some well deserved fun. Joe and Jackie Petriella, the leaders of Family Four, plan on taking the family on a trip sometime in the beginning of March. They hope to go …
Family Five and their leaders Pete and Caren Jacques are working harder than ever around The Family Foundation School. Family Five has been going through some of the school problems in the past few weeks. Family Five student …
Change has been a major theme for the students of Family Six. Everyone has been coming together as a family, despite all of these changes going on. Family Six recently let go of a well-admired anchor, Laura W., who has been a major …
“It’s been a rough month, but by pulling together to help out, we are going to be fine,” said Family Seven Leader, Dawne Possemato. There has been a shortage of senior girls, due to the absence of two leading members and an increase of …
“This place saved my life,” said Family Four alumni Miranda B. who was back for a visit in mid-February. Since leaving in December life has been good. Miranda attends Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York. Her major is sociology. Her advice …
From a freshman high school dropout, to a senior valedictorian when she left The Family Foundation School, Laura S. continues to find success in her life. Four short years later she graduated from New York University in May of 2008, with a …
Heather G., Family One June 2008 program graduate from the Family Foundation School, is in her senior year of high school in New Milford, Connecticut, where she lives with her mother. Being a sober senior in high school, Heather occupies her …
Neal B., who left The Family Foundation School in October of 2008, is doing well. He is living with his parents in Milford, Connectitut and has been attending meetings devotedly. Neal contends that although it has not been easy, he is loving his …
Numerous things have changed since Gregg H. was a student at The Family Foundation School. While he was a student, the chapel that is now used every day was still under construction, and he helped several other students and …
What do you call a three-day camping trip to Chenango State Park with The Family Foundation School Boy Scouts and FFS Venture Crew? Hard work and fun. On the last weekend of January, nine scouts from Troop 174 and five members …
Everybody Do the Falcon Rumble
The Family Foundation School Falcons’ cheerleading squad placed second in their division at a cheerleading competition in Downsville, N.Y. The Falcons competed with the Livingston Manor Wildcats, Downsville Eagles …
The Family Foundation School Falcons qualified for a spot in the Section IX playoffs when they beat the Chapel Field Lions at The Family School, 62-44, on February 10. The Falcons took a 12-9 lead in the first quarter as Falcons’ power forward …
The Family Foundation School Falcons scored 28 points against the Fallsburg Comets’ 51 in a well-played game at The Family School on February 6. The Comets scored 15 points in the first quarter with help from their leading scorer Keyshawn Kennedy, who scored …
