The Family Times July-August 2009 Archive
After years of controversy between pro and con natural gas drilling groups, the issue of drilling has not lost its intensity. However, it has gone underground as the gas companies and the opposing groups lobby the DEC on the question of …
“Someone asked if I was afraid of a sophomore slump, but I said ‘no way,’ every ensemble is different, so it’s like we’re working for the first time,” said Paul Geer after his return from the nation’s capital where he participated in …
In life, the only thing that is guaranteed is change. Whether it is a person’s physical appearance or their outlook on life, human beings are constantly changing. At the Family Foundation School students are sent to the school because their lives took …
The Road Just Rolls Out Behind Me
Upon the arrival of my 18th birthday, I was miserable. I was so confused. What is my life all about, I thought, and what was I supposed to do with it now? Wasn’t I supposed to be grabbing the world by its horns and saying, “I am woman …
BBC Visits the Family Foundation School
ADHD and bipolar disorders have become relatively big issues worldwide, especially in the U.K. This is why Polly Greetham and Danny Horan came to New York from the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) to make a documentary on these …
Four Talbot House students were chosen by Jan Cheripko, English teacher and Talbot House family leader, to help out with the building of a playground in Cheripko’s community of Bethany, Pa. Cheripko is on the community …
Bids for the demolition of the Wheeler and McGranaghan buildings and construction of the new Lourdes Healthcare clinic in the Village of Hancock are in, but work has yet to begin. Two stumbling blocks have presented themselves: the presence …
“This seems to be a project that just refuses to die,” said New York State Senator John Bonacic. NYRI is a group of engineers, legal advisors, environmental scientists, economists, and most importantly, investors. The project that …
Hancock Community Gets Involved
With the fracing fight still going on, Hancock residents have gotten involved. Locals from Hancock and the neighboring communities got together on August 20 to view a film and discuss a number of issues relating to the gas drilling controversy in …
Family Foundation School Holds Fifth Annual Blood Drive
One in 20 Americans will require a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. Each year The Family Foundation School holds blood drives as a way to give back to people in need of blood. On August 24, the American Red Cross came …
In May, the middle school students at the Family Foundation School launched a service project, which involved collecting the metal tabs from soda cans for charity. After a couple of months, the students had collected 62,100 can tabs from …
What started out looking like a cloudy day for a pool party ended up being sunny and beautiful and full of fun for Talbot House from the Family Foundation School. A pool party, held at Mike and Cindy Argiro’s house, was the second place prize in …
In the Spotlight – Mike Losicco
Mike Lossico is currently the family counselor for Talbot House, but his journey getting there has had lots of twists and turns. Losicco describes his childhood as average. He grew up in the Bronx with his parents and his sister. He went to St. Martin of …
Talbot House Update: The Path to Positivity
After going through some tough times, some Talbot House students, led by their Family Leader Jan Cheripko, decided to re-do the pathway that leads from the House building to the school. The idea was Cheripko’s. After the students got …
The votes are in for the August student of the month elections, and Georgia P. of Betton House is the winner! Georgia has attended The Family Foundation School for a year now and is a classic example of how the program works if …
A key part of the recovery process is discovering our true colors hidden beneath the darkness on the surface. At the Family Foundation School we embrace opportunities to explore our creative sides. In the coming months Robin Ducey will be offering …
I have a problem with overeating. I don’t really talk about it because I’m embarrassed. I’ve been here for a while and I’ve worked on so many other things, but not this. The thing is, it really bothers me. How can I make it go away?
Summer Fun at the Family Foundation School
After June graduation, the students of the Family Foundation School were given a week off school to relax and get accustomed to their “new” families. Kurt Hock, head of the activities committee, put together a fun-filled week with laser tag …
The Administration has been very busy this month with changing the seven “families” into six “houses.” The reason for the change is simple. “You have one foot in the child world and one foot in the adult world,” said Dr. Rita Argiros …
The Family Foundation School has just gone through some big changes these past few months. One of the biggest changes was Robin Ducey stepping down from her position as principal and Ann Argiros-Janaeur taking over. Janaeur took …
Let Us Shout With Joy To The Lord, Sing A New Song
Father Stephen Morris, Dean of Students at the Family Foundation School as well as a priest for thirty years, will be leading compline, Sunday night prayer, for the students. Father Stephen began offering Mass at the school fifteen years ago and …
Rabbi Gives New MS to Students
The Holy Thief, an autobiography by Mark Borovitz, former mobster, thief, and drunk, ends up sending a message more valuable than gold to the people at The Family Foundation School. Recently, Jeff Brain, Director of Admissions …
Rabbi Dan Levin from the Beth El Temple in Florida came to talk to the students at Family Foundation School on Sunday, August 16. He spoke about love and how it could help all of the students here at FFS. Rabbi Levin said he wanted to …
The Story Behind Father Stephen’s New Book
Father Stephen’s new litany prayer book, Litany Prayers Before Francisco Zurbaran’s Childhood of the Virgin and Christ Child, focuses on the work of original Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbaran, who has painted a large number of …
Before I came to The Family Foundation School, I was living in a fantasy world. I thought that I was invincible and could basically do whatever I wanted to. My life was full of drugs, alcohol, fights, and stealing from people. After a while it …
Recently, Chris Stein, Family Foundation School staff and advisor to the student government, received a phone call from Geraldine Brenner and Marie Murphy of Job Corps asking if he could get a few students from The Family School to put …
Saying good-bye to Methodist service leader Pastor Andy was not easy for Family Foundation School students, but the transition was made a lot easier when they met his replacement, Roxy Moses. Moses understands the concept of …
Two Days of Friendly Competition
With a need to build unity and have fun at the same time, Jan Cheripko, Mike Argiros, and Caren Jacques came together for a solution. “One way to create that sense of unity was to have a competition among all the houses,” said …
A Little Bit About The New House Names
Fifty-five students graduated or moved to different programs in June. Their exodus allowed the possibility of further consolidating the remaining students into six family units. But it also raised the question of what these units would be called.
The Importance Of Family In The Houses
I am excited about the changes we are making at the school and about the possibilities they provide. It certainly has been an exciting and interesting time. One concern I have is that in our individual and collective effort to …
The spirits of Betton House students are soaring as they look forward to their upcoming pizza party at Elegante’s, which they won for coming in third place in the house challenges. “The competition really gave us a new found sense of …
July and August were months of change for all of the houses, especially Lake House. With a new semester and more students and staff, Lake House, which resulted from the combination of families 2 and 3, seems to be adjusting quite well to all …
Mann House has had some the recent highlights in their family, such as getting their residence redecorated, new family members, and a fun break week. Mann House’s living space was redone. The end result was new shiny floors, white throw …
Smith House is changing just like the school. Just like other houses many kids have been moved around. Recent additions to their house are Troy P., Jessie G., Mike D., and John R. Smith House was more than happy to receive these new …
After saying goodbye to the June graduates, the students enjoyed an exciting summer break. During the two days of orientation at the end of break week, what used to be known as Family Six selected a new house name. “When I first …
After several Talbot House students graduated, the house was ready to wind down and have some fun in the sun. Summer break gave students a chance to fill in the roles of the graduates. After graduation, a few Talbot House students began …
Family Foundation School Enjoys Picnics
Building family relationships, getting to know each other, and having a good time at the beach describes the days spent at Oquaga Creek State Park during the annual summer picnics. The picnics were scheduled for three …
As the final days of summer approach, “The Family Players” have been busy tuning their voices, sharpening their dance moves, and preparing memorable sets and costumes. The fall 2009 musical, “My Favorite Year,” is right around the …
Robin M. Class of June 2008: Robin M. came to the Family Foundation School as an angry adolescent on July 26, 2006, with no intention of going anywhere with her life. Two years later, she graduated in June of 2008 and has done well ever …
Each year, men and women all over the country volunteer their services for the military. Anxious and hoping for the best, the families of these soldiers pray every day that their loved ones will return home; but sometimes they don’t. Two years ago, a courageous …
Every Sunday morning at 7 a.m., since the beginning of July, Scott Cole and several students go fishing at the Family Foundation School pond. It all started with the question, “Hey, do you think if I got a couple of people interested in fishing, could you …
Dodgeball Mania Provides Fun-Filled Energy Release
With a lot of kids looking to have fun, each of the houses played an indoor dodgeball tournament in the Family Foundation School gym. The tournament consisted of a variety of games; each of the houses playing each other individually; all girls; all boys; and an all-out …
After four rigorous tryouts, coaches James “Willy” Williamson and Carlton Williams have selected 19 starters, five alternates, and two managers to represent the 2009 Family School boys’ soccer team. Williamson, who is coaching for …
New Year's Skit
