The Family Times November 2008 Archive
It was a day of gratitude at The Family Foundation School, filled with the traditions that make Thanksgiving on campus as memorable as it is anywhere else. As in the past, students coming down to the house in the morning were greeted by…
The New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC) recently brought its Article Seven hearing and decision phase of NYRI’s application to Hancock. The hearings are held to determine if there is a need for the NYRI proposal, the nature of …
FFS Introduces New Extracurricular Activities
Starting next semester, The Family Foundation School will offer new activities to enrich its students’ learning. Horseback riding lessons will be offered at Cat Hollow Farms and Stables in Deposit, NY. Lessons will be taught by Pat Cammer, owner …
The Family Foundation School graduates are preparing to leave. As early as their exit seminars, however, a voice calls to them: a voice from their past. “I’ve got an offer for you, my friend; an offer you can’t refuse. You already …
As the parent of a Family Foundation School graduate, I have read the articles and watched the U-Tube testimony of critics and a less than satisfied former student. Each person, whether student or parent, has their own truth, reality and …
The fourth estate refers to the press. The term was coined in the 18th century; the first estate was the clergy, the second estate was the nobles, the third estate was the commoners, and the press gallery was the fourth estate. The fourth …
When I came to The Family Times I was a very different person. It is hard to believe it was almost a year ago. I only knew a few people in the class and I had no idea how to work a camera. Now my best friends sit next to me and I am the …
Landowners Unite For Best Deal
When gas lease negotiators come to the doors of residents in Otego, NY, they’ll find that money talks and bad lease offers walk. The gas companies will have Dick Downe and Anna Hein, founders of the Otego Area Landowners Association, to …
Restructuring At The Family School
Students, staff, and parents get ready: The Family Foundation School has a new look on the horizon. For some time, Terry McCarthy has wanted to step down as Family Leader of Family Eight. Recently, Cindy Argiros decided to step down as female …
Earth Science Class Learns Lesson Over Breakfast
This semester’s “sweetest” science experiment was also the stickiest. Family Foundation School Teacher Larry Leung took his third period Earth Science class to the middle school kitchen, cooking up stacks of pancakes to simulate a …
Russian Language Offered At FFS
For about 20 years The Family Foundation School has been offering Spanish as the one and only foreign language. Beginning in January, a first year Russian course will be offered as well. Natalya Kuchukov, student advisor and native of Russia …
In the month of November The Family Foundation School welcomed 15 new families. This has been the most enrollments all year. Jeff Brain, Vice President of External Affairs and Acting Director of Admissions, visited The Caron …
Grief and Loss Group Begins At FFS
The Family Foundation School has redesigned its Grief and Loss Survivor group, and is now offering this grief support to students on a regular basis. The group, formerly known as the Grief Group, is structured to give students a chance …
Middle School Expands Curriculum
The Family Foundation School has recently added new activities to the middle school. The two middle school students, Anthony W. and Jimmy S. along with Jeff Brian, Vice President of External Affairs, have created the ‘I RESPECT’ group.
Staff member Caren Jacques has started a shawl-knitting ministry group in Family Five during activity periods A and B for those who care to join. The concept of a knitting ministry comes from the book Knitting Into The Ministry by …
Many people are tight on money this holiday season. At times it can be complicated to find a gift that your loved ones will enjoy. Many students at The Family Foundation School agree that the best gifts are those that “come from the heart” …
FFS Introduces New Jewish Director
After 14 years of practicing optometry in Delaware, Rabbi Michele Medwin was motivated into a change of career. While Medwin was attending a synagogue, a new rabbi was appointed, who happened to be a woman. Around …
Thirty years ago Father Stephen Peter Morris, Family School Dean of Students, attended The Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY. As a young man studying to become a priest he used to wander the crypt of the seminary …
A Journey To The Mountains of Italy: Part Two
I was sitting on my little porch one evening, waiting for 7:30 when I could go to the midway house to pick up my dinner. But the brother arrived first with the wooden box and my meal. I said, “You don’t have to deliver my food.” He said, “Ah, it’s …
4 Of The Best Get Some Time to Rest
Over 93 years of experience, strength and hope. That’s what you get when you bring together four significant members of The Family Foundation School community. On November 1, Bob Runge, Brian McNeece, Tex Shumate and …
“How are we doing today, guys?” Bob Runge would ask. “Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Bob!” the kids would respond. If you’re all wondering where that tradition came from, well, Bob Runge, known to most as Uncle Bob, once urged the kids to be …
Brian McNeece came to join The Family Foundation School community in September of 1997. If there was a job that needed to get done, McNeece would do it. He became a Senior Floor Person and served every aspect of the school.
Mr. Geer started working at The Family Foundation School in September 1996. Mr. Geer was the head of maintenance for a long while, where he worked hard and long hours on the upkeep at the school. Though he was a very quiet man, he was …
Tex has been involved with the school since 1979, but first started working at The Family Foundation School in June 1998 and retired in October 2008. While Tex was at the school he made a very strong impression on the students because he has …
With graduation just around the corner, Family One is preparing for the new beginning that lies ahead as well as enjoying the last days they have left with their December grads. The list of Family One students who made the boys’ basketball …
From chorus trips to sports teams to Venture Crew trips to many first home visits; Family Two had it all this month. Chorus members Nick M., Max S., Steve W., Kirby C., Emily M., and Jess B. went to the Public Broadcast System’s station in …
November was filled with sports, preparation for graduation and change. As soccer ended, boys’ and girls’ basketball and cheerleading began, taking eleven of Family Three’s students. Kassia B. and Denise T. are two of the Lady Falcons’ …
Turkey, work-study and exit seminars are some of the events that have taken place in Family Four during November. After returning from a well deserved vacation, family leaders Jackie and Joe Petriella were excited to be back in Family Four to …
Family Five has settled into the cold November. As the girls’ and boys’ soccer seasons came to an end, the basketball season promptly began. Family Five’s Joslyn P. and Rebecca W. made the girls’ team. Christian H. made the boys’ team for …
With only a few weeks left until graduation, the students are getting ready to leave, but are still giving back around the family as much as possible. Brian S., Anthony D., Caleb C., Vickie T., and Vicky K. have volunteered to be on waitstaff, serving …
Tryouts for basketball and cheerleading have ended and several Family Seven students made the teams. Austin C. and Henry W. made the boys’ basketball team. Lexi S. and Marc S. both made the cheerleading squad and hope they can do …
This is the last All in the Family for Family Eight. After the upcoming graduation, Family Eight will be dissolved, and the students will be sent to other families. Family Five will move into Family Eight’s old living area. Terry McCarthy will go …
Realistically my story is no different than anyone else that has seen those doors. Drugs, alcohol and bad behavior, like I said nothing different than anyone else. It’s been a long time since I even tried to articulate those thoughts, feelings and …
June 2003 graduate Karen R.’s life has been great since her departure from The Family Foundation School. She joined the army and lives a clean and sober life. While she was in the army she met her husband Donald R., to whom she’s been married …
Margaret M. was a Family Three student who attended The Family Foundation School for four and a half years. She was sent here mainly for behavioral issues and family problems. “Life is very up and down, it’s hard. I struggled with learning how …
Life has been pretty good for me the last four months since I graduated. Like almost every other time in my life things didn’t go exactly as I planned them, but I have learned that it really doesn’t matter as long as I keep doing what I have to do.
After nine months at The Foundation Family School, Jonathan L. was taken out by his parents. He was turning eighteen and he was going to walk. When he went home he spent the summer going to meetings and when September came he started …
Every year over 4 million youth participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge, testing their ability in strength, endurance, agility, speed, and flexibility. Throughout the past 12 years, The Family Foundation School has participated …
A long awaited battle between archrivals S.S. Seward and The Family Foundation School finally commenced on October 29, 2008 in the Hudson Valley Sports Dome, the dome away from home. During the teams’ last meeting at S.S. Seward …
The Rock Hill, NY 8K race was the last race of the season. Family Foundation School December graduates made sure they finished this 5.3 mile long race with a bang. For quite some time, The Family School’s students have enjoyed running …
The Family Foundation School boys’ basketball team started their season with a two-day tournament at Milford, New York. The tournament consisted of two games, the first against the Milford Wildcats on Friday, November 21. The …
Venture Crew 174 journeyed deep into the wilderness of Pike County, PA to Promise Land State Park for a weekend they will not soon forget. The sun was rapidly descending as the crew arrived. The Venturers moved quickly to set up their tents …
Watching the Accidents Happen
