The Family Times March 2010 Archive
Students were throwing Frisbees, playing the guitar in the grass, and doing their homework on the outdoor picnic tables. This is not abnormal at The Family Foundation School, except for one thing: it was the beginning of March.
Tables covered in blue and white set with wine glasses, the traditional Seder plate, and sparkling grape juice, transformed The Family Foundation School gym for the Passover Seder. On the stage was a dais for the students who led the service …
After nine years of working hard to make sure the students and staff at The Family Foundation School are fed, Joe Barbiere has stepped down as the manager of the kitchen. Barbiere is retiring to rest, relax, and spend quality time with his …
The Family Times Gets it Right
The Family Times article on Mayor Tillman and his presentation in Binghamton is so good that it has moved me to write a thank you to the writers and the paper. In general The Family Times coverage of the gas drilling issues has been …
The paper is just great, but I do wish there were more schools like The Family School, as it would be a beautiful world with all the great guidance the school offers to young people. As an Animal Rights Activist since 1987 I would be grateful …
If your house was on fire, would you run out of it, or stay and burn with it? Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s The Bonfire and the Ants describes an ant-infested log being thrown into a fire. This was one of the many prose poems that …
A few months ago I picked up a college handbook and read the description of my three top choice colleges. Within the campus life sections I found an enthusiastic description of the drinking scene at each college. One that particularly …
FFS Sings for Better Schools in Africa
In October The Family Singers led by Music Director, Paul Geer, loaded the buses and headed for a television studio in Troy, N.Y. to sing in a Tim Janis PBS production called “Celebrate America.” The Family Foundation School along …
One in four Americans visits a fast food restaurant every day. It’s no wonder that America is the “fattest” country in the world. We are so subliminally manipulated by fast food and junk food that we can’t help but crave sugar and fat. A man …
How much does a decent meal cost? You’ll spend $15-20 at any respectable restaurant, or just settle for a fast food chain and spend around five. Family Foundation School staff, America Restaino, disagrees with the common conception …
Once a year, The Moody Foundation puts together a high school math competition; teams comprised of three to five students are given an applied math-modeling challenge, 14 hours, unrestricted internet access, calculators, textbooks …
Rita Argiros, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, has started the process of getting first aid cards and CPR classes for her Venture Crew students. The goal of the crew is by the end of the year to have the members meet all of the …
Teamwork, Dedication, Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication make up a team player. Those traits along with a strong work ethic and determination are the characteristics of a scholar athlete. This year, Evan H. and Karen S. were honored to represent …
HAWAII: 6 a.m., February 27: Aleta Kahn, English teacher and chairperson of the English department at The Family Foundation School, awoke to the tsunami early-warning sirens piercing the warm Hawaiian air on the island of Maui. The …
“I’ll Be 18 in 2 Months, 8 Days, and 10 Minutes”
At The Family Foundation School 18 is a big number in the minds of the students. When they first arrive at the school they learn very quickly that at 18 they are legally allowed to leave the school. Not all students leave when they turn …
“It’s God Alone That Fills Our Real Emptiness”
Lenten time at The Family Foundation School is unique, not only are students preparing themselves to celebrate a baptismal ceremony, but some also participate in a sugar fast. The students who participate in the fast agree not to …
The refreshing smell of spring in the air, loud marching band music and hundreds of people striding up and down the street in emerald green hats and attire. That is how I remember St. Patrick’s Day as a kid. Waking up early to go to the …
Family Foundation School student Regina C. gasped in amazement when college counselor Jason Garner informed her that she was accepted into Cornell University’s Summer Program 2010 in Ithaca N.Y. The veterinary program that she …
I was born in Bethpage, Long Island, New York. I always looked up to my older brother and sister. My sister’s about seven years older than I and my brother about four. I was that little annoying sister who always wanted to be around the …
Relationship Continuing to Grow Between Schools
As a way to give back and make new friends, students from The Family Foundation School and students from the Youngsville School in Sullivan County have been meeting together for fun activities and quality time. On Thursday …
The base of the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, the miles of capstone at Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center, Karenna Gore’s pool deck, and Martha Stewart’s house, all have one thing in common: bluestone, quarried …
Our world is in desperate need of an energy reform. We need to revolutionize the way we look at energy. Let’s face it, the non-renewable fossil fuel energy sources that have sustained us for so long are being rapidly depleted. Most experts …
With about $400 million in government funding The US Department of Energy’s ARPA-E was able to do something extraordinary. ARPA-E stands for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. At their first conference ever an …
A notoriously secretive fuel cell company, called Bloom Energy has decided to unveil their very mysterious and possibly revolutionary new technology; it may change the way we look at energy. It’s called the “Bloom Box,” and it is already being …
There are many types of alternative energy sources being experimented with throughout the world. Solar power, fusion power, osmotic power, geothermal energy, and wind power are just a few. With the cost of fossil fuels rising, and …
Matt B. came to Betton House from Wilson House on February 27. He was struggling in the program and BH offered a fresh start. Prior to coming to The Family Foundation School, Matt escaped life through drugs and violence. Then he found …
With the sweet smells of the spring season emerging, Lake House is blooming with the up-and-coming flowers. Many changes have been cast upon Lake House in recent months but things finally seem to be settling down. At first …
With spring in the air, Mann House is getting ready for the outdoor season. The house has settled into their new location in old Family Three. The winter blues and low heads are giving way to the efforts of Family Leaders Joe and Jackie …
Wilson House is off to a good start this month; although they are struggling with being uncharitable they are making great strides to improve. “We have had some discussions and everyone seems willing to take a look at themselves and …
Talbot House student Bobby R. has stepped up dramatically this month. Bobby, who grew up in Westchester, N.Y., had been in trouble from an early age. He was suspended in middle school for fighting. He started doing drugs freshman year …
Prior to arriving at The Family Foundation School, Pat M. used drugs and alcohol. He entered the school on December 3, 2007. The overall problem that Pat experienced was his unwillingness to change. With the help of Terry McCarthy and …
Andre G. graduated from The Family Foundation School in December 2008. Andre recently came to visit the school and helped lead a Sunday night AA meeting in the gym, along with twelve other alumnus and AA members. Andre arrived …
Adam B. arrived at The Family Foundation School in 2000. He had been using drugs, drinking heavily and got himself into a lot of trouble with the law. Adam was placed in Family Two and stayed at the school for 33 months. “My stay was very …
Louis L., along with twelve other Family Foundation School alumni and AA members, visited the school to share his experience, strength and hope with students and staff at a Sunday night meeting in the gym. After arriving at …
Shervin N. arrived at The Family Foundation School on August 3, 2004 after a life of craziness and using drugs and alcohol. During his stay, he didn’t like people telling him what to do, which put him into many power struggles and fights …
Adam was sent to The Family Foundation School in July of 2006. He was stealing, abusing drugs and alcohol, and lying. When he was sent to FFS, he struggled with honesty and dealing with his negative thoughts. After a year and …
Shane S., along with other Family Foundation School alumni, visited the school from Scranton, Pa to host an AA meeting in the gym. He is part of the alumni family because he went to Betton House in Scranton back in August ’06, along with many …
Khalfani M. was sent to The Family Foundation School for getting in trouble with the law, for disrespecting his family, and for lying, cheating, and stealing. He arrived in June of 2008 and stayed at the school for 18 months. Khalfani’s stay …
Zeke G. arrived at The Family Foundation School in February of 2008. His life at home revolved around getting high, lying, stealing, and disregarding his family. His stay at the school was not an easy one, and he was constantly in the corner for …
Ian M. arrived at The Family Foundation School on May 15, 2005 with recurring problems with the law, alcohol, and drugs. For his first few months he slid under the radar, hoping he wouldn’t have to fully open up. His sponsor Tommy didn’t …
Eric K., a ‘08 December graduate, enjoyed visiting here and felt good catching up with many good friends and staff members. Eric arrived at The Family Foundation School on July 2, 2007. Prior to his enrollment, his life revolved around drugs, alcohol …
John R. graduated from The Family Foundation School in December of 2009 and has been enjoying his time living outside the school. John arrived at FFS in April of 2008. He was sent to the school for living a life of lies, disrespect, and destructive …
Rob was enrolled at The Family Foundation School on August 21 of ’06. Prior to his enrollment, Rob was deep into alcohol and violence, and was powerless over his actions. “Even after my arrival, life was nothing but struggles,” he stated.
Prior to being enrolled at The Family Foundation School, Jon H. used drugs, stole and was negative and cynical about much of life. In a desperate attempt to get help, he arrived at The Family School on July 8, 2008. He was enrolled in Family One …
Jon N. arrived at The Family Foundation School in July of 2006. Prior to coming to the school he was using drugs and alcohol, had been arrested and did jail time. After coming to the school Jon had difficulty with being honest. He had a hard …
Megan R., along with twelve other Family Foundation School alumni and people from AA, visited the school to lead the Sunday night AA meeting in the gym. Megan arrived at The Family School in December 2007 due to her alcohol abuse and …
As a prize for coming in first at the winter break competition, Mann House won an off-campus movie and pizza party. The students boarded the buses after 6th period and headed into Hancock. They were grateful that their …
The trees are budding and the grass is getting greener; it’s a perfect time to play some golf. The Falcons boys’ golf team has been selected and is getting ready for the 2010 season. The players have been running around the campus getting in …
Improving Skills and Practicing Drills
The girls’ softball team took a two-hour bus ride to SUNY Cortland for an all-day softball convention. Coaches Missy Dunlap and Larry Patrisso organized and attended this event along with the girls. Many of the girls were looking forward to …
As February comes to an end, people from all over the country start scouting college teams and get ready to fill in their brackets for the March Madness basketball tournament. The college tournament consists of 64 teams and goes on …
Twenty-seven students from all over the school and two staff members, Joe Rogalavich and Ted Towsley, gathered in the gym to play seven hours of hockey on February 28. At 9:30, four captains were chosen to select their teams.
