The Family Times November 2009 Archive
FFS Seniors Bowl Away Their Final Night Out
With only a couple weeks left until graduation, the December graduates got a chance to enjoy one last evening off campus on their senior trip. Alexa S., president of the student government, organized the trip.
A Fun-Filled Afternoon With Plenty of Extracurriculars
Banners were strung up, snacks were laid out, and new interests were discovered at The Family School’s second Extracurricular Day. The event was first held last semester to increase student participation in many activities the school has to offer. A few …
In late September, natural gas drilling in Dimock, Pa. took a turn for the worst. Numerous toxic spills contaminated Dimock residents’ streams and groundwater. At that time, Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation agreed to pay a $120,000 fine in addition to …
My Farewell to The Family Times
Well, it’s finally here. I’m leaving December 12th and this is my last issue as the intern for The Family Times. As I look back at my stay here at the Family Foundation School and the times gone by as a student journalist for Chris Stein, so many things come to …
I remember the day I walked into The Family Foundation School; I was anxious, excited and fearful about how the next eighteen months of my life were going to be. I knew that I didn’t want to go back to the way I was living at home: drinking, drugging, …
I recently read an article in The Wall Street Journal about the importance of parents taking time to talk to their teenagers about love and relationships. According to the article, teen relationships strongly influence their development into …
The name “Marcellus” in the Marcellus Shale, the underground gas formation that is believed to contain over 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, comes from Marcellus, New York where the shale is visible. The shale outcrop is believed to be radioactive …
Natural Gas Drilling Splits Estates Out West
split estate: a situation in which the surface rights of a piece of property are owned by one party while the subsurface (mineral) rights are owned by someone else (in most cases the Federal Government). Before I watched the documentary “Split Estate,” I had little idea …
We got your sample copies of The Family Times today. Your sections and pieces on the natural gas drilling issue are well-researched, well-written and timely. In fact, I’ve been having a back and forth debate with my mom for several months now on this …
FFS Responding to H1N1 Pandemic
Since the April 2009 outbreak of the H1N1 flu, more commonly known as the swine flu, a new counting method has figured the number of deaths in the US near 4,000, of which 540 are children. H1N1 is now being called a pandemic and …
What do NBC’s “The Office,” Lackawanna College, and home-made handbags have in common? The answer is Jackson Township local Meegan Possemato. Meegan is the daughter of FFS staff Dawn Possemato. Because of her many aspirations, she was …
The Administration has been busy this month coming up with plans to help students raise their grades, and also with alternatives to the daily menu items. Family Foundation School Principal Ann Janauer announced a new peer tutoring program …
FFS Places Second in Debate Tournament
Ten Family Foundation School students participated in the season’s first debate tournament at the Hancock Central High School in November. The tournament was co-hosted by Hancock and FFS.
Food Nightmare: It All Comes Down To Money
Have you ever thought about where your food comes from? Have you ever thought about what is in that cheeseburger you bought for a dollar? Most people don’t think about these things. Most people don’t care enough to find out what exactly they are …
FFS Students Help to P.A.S.S. It On
The Family Foundation School as always promotes the spirit of excellence, especially where it applies to academics. That spirit has resulted in P.A.S.S. (Personal Academic Student Services), an idea that began with FFS Principal Annie Janauer.
A Prodigious Effort Acknowledged
During lunch time circle-up on November 24, Lake House students were thrilled to hear that Erika C. was chosen as November’s Student of the Month. “I use to look at the Student of the Month plaque when I was first here and thought, …
FFS Says Goodbye to Long Time Friends
As I walked into the main office for an interview with Dave Ginsberg, I saw him on the phone fulfilling his senior floor duties. He saw me and after waiting a few minutes for him to finish his phone call, we headed into the conference room for the interview.
The Family Players Present “A Dickens of a Christmas”
“Bah, humbug,” Ben B. exclaimed, playing Ebenezer Scrooge during the Family Players’ performance of “A Dickens of a Christmas” on December 4. The Family Foundation School chorus presented the new hit musical based on …
Row, Row, Row Your Rowing Machine
Jens J. rowed his heart out in The Family Foundation School gym in his effort to become a member of the Rutgers rowing team. To qualify for the team, Jens had to complete a 2k test. His father, Clemens, a rowing coach at Teaneck High School, …
Exposing the Face of Anonymity
In the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, among alcoholics eating in local diners, and even within the hallways of The Family Foundation School, a recurrent discussion arises. What is “anonymity”? What exactly does it entail? Does it forbid me from telling my …
This month Betton House decided to host a Big 10 meeting because of concerns about what student relationships are based on. One of the students focused on was Ricky S. who received an anchor this month for being a leader …
This month Lake House has been trying to pull together and be more accepting towards one another. Ted M. received junior sponsoring, and Nelson B. was given the responsibility of buddying and shadowing.
The month of November has been fun-filled and exciting in Mann House as students gear up for the start of basketball season, and anticipates people graduating and going to college. Ezekiel G, Patrick C., Khalfani M. and Thomas O. are among the December …
Overall, Smith House did very well last month. The biggest struggle they had was when a senior member came up for several dishonesties. “The negative behaviors influenced others poorly; it was disappointing because they are supposed to be role models,” said family leader …
Wilson House sure has been busy this month. Students Josh R., Paul P. and Chris B. spent the weekend of November 6 on retreat at Mt. Savior Monastery in Pine Hill, N.Y. The following weekend, Joanna B. and Samantha F. joined the girls’ retreat at the …
Things are running smoothly up in Talbot House and everyone is doing their part to make the month of November the best it can be. The basketball team lists finally came out and Marc S., Yves K., and Jack S. made the boys’ team, while …
“Well… until Monday” my friend Josh K. said as he extended his hand towards mine. I shook it with a smile, as we turned onto the steep uphill road to Mt. Savior Monastery near Elmira, N.Y. We were on a retreat with several other …
Spirituality Found at a Monastery
Mount Savior Monastery is located on a mountain outside of Elmira, N.Y. It has scenic trails, fields of sheep, and retreat accommodations. Eleven female students from The Family Foundation School were chosen to spend three days at the monastery. Mount Savior is …
Just the Way the Cookie “Crum”bles
A few weeks ago I stepped into room 101 for an interview with Austin C. about his family, Talbot House, for The Family Times. I asked how he was doing and we quickly got off topic talking about his last home visit. He was sober for eight months and …
Julie arrived at The Family Foundation School on January 9, 2008 and was enrolled in Family Three (now Lake House). She came to the school for problems related to drugs, alcohol and bad relationships with her parents and friends. When she first arrived …
Former Family Foundation School student Yoni S. recently visited the campus with friends Louis L. and Pat M. Drugs, alcohol, and bad relationships ruled his life until he arrived at the school on September 26, 2006. “I was pretty depressed for my first …
Eric G. was at The Family Foundation School for 26 months before graduating in December 2008. He came directly from a wilderness program and was involved in chorus, debate, and the fall musical while he was at the school. Things were not easy …
Louis L., a former member of Wilson House, recently visited the school to say hello to old friends. Louis attended The Family Foundation School for two years and graduated in June of 2009. He was sent to the school for drug and alcohol abuse and …
It has been a tradition to have a staff vs. student softball game a few days prior to graduation in June. However, because of the cold weather it would be impossible to have a softball game during the winter, so several of the December 2009 graduates …
Falcons Fall to Gilbertsville High School
Isaac M., with 15 points and seven rebounds and Jens J., with eight points and 7 rebounds, kept the score close in The Family Foundation School game against Gilbertsville (GMU) on December 2 at the Falcons’ nest.
Falcons’ guard Nadine N. ran the night, scoring 31 points and stealing the ball 11 times, leading the Falcons to their first victory on December 1. Backing her up, forward Karen S. snatched 13 rebounds.
Double Overtime Goal Downs Falcons
Joe Voisich of Smithtown Christian lined up to take a direct kick just outside of the 18-yard box with one minute and thirty seconds left in the game. He drilled the ball into the middle of the goal and sent the first round state playoff game between …
Senator Bonacic Visits Hancock
Dealing with Feelings
Opening Spiritual Doors
