The Family Times September 2010 Archive
On a warm Sunday morning in September, Ellen Singer, former FFS Jewish Spiritual Director, returned to The Family School to explain the origins of the Jewish holiday Sukkot. She asked each family to create a banner expressing the meaning of …
In what was billed as a nonpartisan event, the presentation by the Delaware River Basin Commission on September 23, in Forest City, Pa., saw Carol Collier, Executive Director of the DRBC and Commission geologist David Kovach trying valiantly …
“If You Build It, They Will Come”
In 2004, the Hancock Partners embarked on a mission to put Hancock back on the map. Becton Dickinson, one of Hancock’s largest employers, had recently left the area, resulting in fewer jobs, a deteriorating downtown, a poor local economy …
The annual blood drive at The Family Foundation School took place on August 23. The Red Cross came to the school in the afternoon to collect a pint of blood from volunteer students and staff members. The students understand that …
I put the final edits on one of my photographs; I changed it to black and white and “upped” the contrast. I gazed contentedly at what I had accomplished, looking at every detail in the picture and examining it closely. The light colors popped out …
At the end of every week I often find myself feeling disgruntled. The things I had hoped to do I did not do, and the homework I desired to complete is jammed in my locker, questions unanswered. What drives me to do the things that result in this …
With a snip of the scissors, Sister Mary Anne Brawley, Lourdes Board Chair, dedicated the new Lourdes Clinic in downtown Hancock. In her accompanying remarks, she spoke of the efforts of the Lourdes administration, Hancock …
Conducting a Round-the-World Choir
To take 400 inexperienced singers from all over the world, teach them three songs, choose a soloist, and perform at the closing banquet six days later is a task that might make Hercules tremble. However, FFS musical director Paul Geer …
High efficiency windows, air leaks plugged, solar panels on the roof, wind turbines in the back yard, and a wood-fired boiler in the basement; these are some of the alternative energy solutions a house may have after Gordon Smith is done with …
Working with 130 students, all of whom are prone to everything from runny noses and upset stomachs to fractured ankles and toothaches, can prove to be a tough job. But the FFS nurses station team; Mia Rotundo, Missy Dunlap …
On Labor Day, Family Foundation School students took the day off for some fun-filled activities. Family Foundation School Physical Education teacher, Joe Rogalavich, planned a nice way for FFS students to spend their day off. The day began with a …
The sand beneath your feet, the water splashing around you, and the sweet taste of eating burgers as a family; it all made for a beautiful day at Oquaga Creek. On the weekends of August 21 and 28, the five houses of FFS each spent a day at Oquaga …
A group of Family School students joined Father Chris Welch of St. Paul’s Church in Hancock and a group of local residents on a trip to the PNC field in downtown Scranton, Pa. to watch the Yankees play the Red Sox. St. Paul’s Church in …
Perks of Being a Wall Flower (Book Review)
Most teenagers experience the situations described in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, written by Stephen Chbosky. The book shares thoughts, feelings and underlying emotions that teenagers find so hard to communicate. Charlie …
“Shattered Glass” (Movie Review)
It is 1998 and Stephen Glass is a contributing writer for magazines like Rolling Stone,George, and Harper’s while working as a staff reporter for the The New Republic, nicknamed “the in-flight magazine of Air Force One.” As the youngest and …
For the month of September, Troop 174 and Scoutmaster Scott Cole have been working on the Personal Management Merit Badge, which teaches scouts how to manage their money and to get a sense of how to function as an adult. “While …
On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, the family went to Liz K’s lake house for a celebration. The trip was originally intended to promote unity; however, this ambition was hindered when nearly half the family learned it had to stay back …
It has been a hard month, but Lake House’s goal has been able to stay unified by not forming cliques and excluding each other from family activities. The family has been working on a number of issues, including the problem of gossiping …
This past month brought many ups and downs for the students in Mann House, however with October approaching it seems that they are pulling their way out of it. Hardships are what make us stronger and it is very evident in the case of Mann …
This month Wilson House has been hit by soccer fever, with half of the family on the girls and boys soccer teams. On the girls’ team are Tori B, Maurissa H, Joanna B, Brianna N, and Jade M. On the boys’ team are George D, Kevin G, Jake H, Joey P …
Talbot House is going through many changes this month. Because of the negative undertones that have taken hold of students, the boys were put on silence. But this cloud had its silver lining too. Jan Cheripko, Talbot House family leader said …
Serving the Students, Saying Mass
Father Chris Welch, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle’s Church in Hancock, is the new Catholic priest on the FFS campus and has begun offering Mass on Thursday mornings at the FFS chapel. Father Chris, who took over after Father Stephen’s transfer …
Sought Through Prayer and Meditiation
There’s no better way to start off the day than to walk up to the beautiful chapel at FFS, take in the stunning scenery and then sit down and connect with your higher power. Now The Family School offers just that. Jan Cheripko, English teacher …
For the better part of 15 years Father Stephen Morris guided students during what was one of the most spiritual times of the week for the majority of FFS students with his Sunday night Compline service. This service is composed of many beautiful …
A time to search deep within your soul, purify your mind and body, and most importantly, repent, has arrived yet again; yes the High Holy Days are here, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The High Holy Days are observed during the month of …
“Finally Hitting My Bottom, Finally”
I guess it all started back in elementary school; I didn’t have any friends, really, because I was so bothersome to people. I lied a lot, too, and I used to say anything that I had to just so someone would be my friend. I was in elementary school …
In early September, FFS alumnus Isaac M, with his father Stuart and younger brother Colby, came back to visit and see a few friends and staff. Coming all the way from the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Isaac was just stopping by to pick up a piece …
Graduation couldn’t pull alumnus Luke V away from the school. He visited FFS recently to catch up with staff and students. Luke graduated in June of 2010 and went home for the summer, working as bank teller, attending Mass six days a week …
The Family Foundation School was delighted to see June Graduate Aaron Z. stop by to visit and see his old friends. Upon arriving to FFS Aaron was selling and using drugs on a daily basis and seemed to be heading down a path that led to nowhere. That …
Fifty-four years ago something changed the way gym classes would be taught forever. That something was the Presidential Physical Fitness Award Program. The Presidential Physical Fitness Award Program, also known as the presidential …
I never wanted to go to soccer practice. My ego told me I was too good. If I ended up going, I felt I didn’t need to put in the effort because my starting spot was secure, in my mind. From an early age, my sloth and lack of motivation came out in …
The sun was high in the sky and was beating heavily on the backs of the runners as they lined up for the annual Family School Labor Day Race. Each house picked five runners to represent their family and bring back the pride and glory that comes …
FFS striker Evan G. jumped up and down in celebration while hugging his Falcon teammates. He had just scored the goal that put the Falcons ahead of the Eldred Yellowjackets 3-2 in the final two minutes of the game. Before the start of …
Down 1-0 late in the second half, the Lady Falcons offense pressured their opponent, Fallsburg, to kick the ball out of bounds. Falcon Maurissa H took the corner kick. The ball went up and landed right in front of Falcon Jaci K, who …
The grass was wet, the sun was rising, and 177 golfers and more than 50 spectators lined up to participate in the 3rd annual Fallen Heroes Golf Tournament held at the French Woods Golf and Country Club on September 5. To begin the tournament …
