The Family School News Feed

Nerd Herd Trip

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:56:32 +0000

By Alex T. : 13 May 2013

The Nerd Herd students taking a photo with Mike Argiros.

Mike Argiros, President of The Family School, took a group of students that participate in a weekly event called “Nerd Herd” out to Hancock, NY for a night on the town.

After an abundance of pizza and soda for dinner at Little Italy, the students moved on to Capra Cinema to watch the newly released Iron Man 3.

“It was cool to be able to get off campus for a little, I had been an active member of Nerd Herd and I’m glad that we got this opportunity. I had a good time,” said Mike C.

The students were able to get a large soda, a large popcorn, and a box of candies

“The movie itself was a treat. The pizza dinner, candy and popcorn were just a bonus,” said Zach P.

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Recovery in Full Swing

Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Students arrive at The Family Foundation School with not only a variety of issues to deal with, but a variety of interests and talents as well. Last week we had two of our student golfers qualify to represent the school in the state tournament, a tribute to their abilities on the course and to the progress they've made off the course in their program of recovery.

Like many troubled teens, both these boys have struggled with anger, something than afflicts more than a few golfers. Complaints about the frustrations of the game go all the way back to King George V of England who supposedly said, "Golf always makes me so damned angry!"

The annals of golf are full of examples of players whose tempers have not only hampered their performance, but damaged their reputations and jeopardized their relationships with their fellow golfers. Which is why many high school golf programs, including ours, stress the sportsmanship of the game as much as the techniques of playing. After a particularly bad shot, one of our boys admitted, "I had to stay calm so I wouldn't embarrass my team."

The other told us the toughest part of the game for him is knowing that a single bad swing can cause a chain reaction. "Unless I can take a step back, physically as well as mentally, everything goes south."

He also said that what's true of his golf game is true of his life. "When I do something wrong and lie about it, or when I relapse, I need to come forward with my mistakes or things will never get better."

Golf has become important to his recovery. "Being able to escape all the problems, all the difficulties of my daily life is key to keeping my sanity. Going to the course, spending time outdoors in the fresh air allows me to clear my mind and concentrate on golf. I don't have to worry about what's happening at school or anything else."

Both boys can credit good coaching, anger management, and the program principles with getting them to tournament level play; with helping them acquire the physical skills and the emotional control they need to play their best. And when they don't, to remember There's a blessing of a lesson in every problem. "I never learned anything from a match that I won," said the great Bobby Jones.

Our boys will be great golfers in our eyes if they learn to short-circuit the negative chain reactions with some positive self-talk, if they can accept the bogeys along with the birdies, and if they can keep things in perspective, remembering that golf is a game and meant to be fun.

Lady Falcon Makes All League Team

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:03:21 +0000

By Alex T. : 10 May 2013

Kylie G. with her award certificate.

Athletic Director Carlton Williams announced that the girls basketball Section IX Coaches Association selected Kylie G. to the 2012-2013 All League Team.

The selection was made base on her athletic ability, her sportsmanship, and her competitiveness.

“I never played basketball before I came to the school. Getting an award for playing feels great because I have never achieved anything like this,” said Kylie.

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Wildcats Keep The Streak Alive

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:04:21 +0000

By Alex T. 10 May 2013

Hancock Wildcats have won three games in a row at home with an 11-1 win over Roxbury Central School at home Thrsday, May 9.

“It was a fun game, I just hope we can keep up the intensity and continue to win games this late in the season,” said senior Alex T.

The Hancock Wildcats next game is at home on Tuesday, May 13, against Bainbridge-Guilford. Good luck Wildcats!

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Changing the Tape

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:00:52 +0000

We’ve all heard the idea that thoughts are things, that we become what we think about. It may strike us as magical thinking, but it’s not. Ask any successful businessperson, athlete, artist or performer. They’ll tell you it’s their positive self-talk and being able to visualize achievement that brings it about. It’s imagining beforehand how they’ll avoid or overcome obstacles that enables them to act accordingly and ultimately succeed.

Conversely, failure has a lot to do with negative self-talk.

This applies to virtually everything in life, including recovery. The surrender-to-win attitude that comes from turning the results over to a higher power leaves us free to visualize success, to act “as if.” It’s hard to convince most of our students of this, though. They may talk big and appear confident, but their history of failing betrays the negative tapes running in their heads. We can’t overcome negative self-talk with bravado, but we can recognize it for what it is and change the tape.

A helpful item on the subject by Mike Bundrant discusses negative self-talk in a way we can all relate to. Read it here.

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Wildcats Win Again

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:33:58 +0000

By Alex T. : 8 May 2013

Alex T. in the batters box waiting for the pitch.

The Hancock Wildcats Boys Baseball Team beat the Harpursville hornets 13-0 at home on Tuesday, May 7.

Hancock pitchers Ryan S. and Tyler P. didn’t let up a single run in 7 innings. Tyler P. also added a third home run to his season total on Harpursville’s first pitch of the game.

The Wildcats record now stands at 13-5. The next game is at home on Thursday, May 9 against Roxbury Central School. Good luck Wildcats!

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5K Bridge Run

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:13:11 +0000

By Alex T. : 5 May 2013

Jeff Brain, Chris M., Neil W., Carlton W., Bryan L., Jason G., Phil L., Alex B., John A., Gen P., Liz O., and Aviv B-A.

Jeff Brain, Dean of Admissions and Cross Country coach, took a group of 8 students to Binghamton to compete in the 5K Bridge Run.

The Binghamton Bridge Run is a huge event drawing over 1500 participants for the 5K and half marathon races.

FFS’s own Chris M. came in 13 out of a total of 760 runners with a time of 20:20.

Jason Garnar, Director of College Counseling and Director of The Bridge Program came in 37 with a time of 22:27. It was his first official 5K run.

“It was fun, I love running so the 5K was a blast for me. I wasn’t thinking about winning I was just enjoying myself. I hope the next 5K comes up soon,” said Chris M.

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Give It Away to Keep It

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

A senior student here recently told a newcomer who was struggling with his temper, "You can't escape into drugs or alcohol here, so unless you like being miserable, you're going to have to find another way to deal with your anger." He suggested the school's anger management group. Then he talked about his own resistance to change. He said he had been stuck and miserable for a long time until he realized the only thing he could count on to change was himself. Once he "got it" and started working on himself, life became a lot easier.

We believe that we keep what we have by giving it away. Sharing his story with newcomers is one way this student can make sure the changes he's making are permanent.

Wildcats Wallop Gilberstville-Mt. Upton

Sat, 04 May 2013 12:10:40 +0000

By Alex T. : 4 April 2013

Hancock Wildcats varsity baseball team beat GMU Sabres 24-1 on Saturday, May 4.

The Wildcats next game is at home on Tuesday May 7 against Roxbury Central School. Good Luck Wildcats!

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Sizzling Fajitas

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:37:14 +0000

Phil L., our food editor has got a knack for foods.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 clove garlic, minced
1 dash hot pepper sauce
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into strips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1/2 lemon, juiced

Instructions:

Step 1) In a medium bowl, combine Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, chili powder, garlic and hot pepper sauce. Place chicken in sauce, and turn once to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for several hours.

Step 2) Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add chicken strips to the pan, and saute for 5 minutes. Add the onion and green pepper, and saute another 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and sprinkle with lemon juice.

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Oxford Beats Hancock

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:09:32 +0000

By Alex T. : 3 April 2013

The Hancock Wildcats Boys Baseball team lost to Oxford Academy 5-2 at home on Friday May 3.

The Wildcats next game is Saturday, May 4. Good luck Wildcats!

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Feeling Good About Change

Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Students at The Family Foundation School are here for one reason: to change the the attitudes and behaviors that got them into trouble and are keeping them from growing into happy and responsible adults. One student recently tested his "character education" during a visit home and was happy to report it went well. He mended some fences with his siblings, had a long talk with his father, and upheld his commitments not to smoke or call old friends.

He attributed his success to his new-found integrity, knowing he'd have to hold himself accountable for any commitments not kept. But he said his strongest motivation was not wanting to fall back into his old cycle of misbehaving and feeling miserable about it. He's learned that doing the right thing can feel pretty good and he's not about to give that up.

Wildcats Win Again

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:37:32 +0000

By Alex T. : 1 May 2013

The Hancock Wildcats Varsity Baseball team beat the Walton Warriors 3-0 on Monday May 1.

The next game is home on May 3 against Oxford Academy. Good luck Wildcats!

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Boiling in Their Tanks

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:36:10 +0000

By Alex T. : 1 April 2013

And The Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks, written by American novelist and poet Jack Kerouac and American novelist William S. Burroughs centers around the murder of David Kammerer who was obsessed with Lucien Carr.

All characters in the novel are members of what was The Beat Generation, a group of post-World War II writers that came to prominence in the 1950’s.

Elements of Beat culture include rejection of received standards, innovations in style, experimentation with drugs, alternative sexualities, an interest in Eastern religion, a rejection of materialism, and explicit portrayals of the human condition.

David Kammerer was stabbed to death by Lucien Carr in a drunken fight and then dumped Kammerer’s body into the Hudson River.

Carr then confessed the crime to Kerouac and Burroughs whom turned the story into the novel And The Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks.

Kerouac and Burroughs wrote alternating chapters under pseudonyms and they expressed the unrest and anxiety they felt throughout the novel.

“I used to imagine what it would be like to kill someone… Now here stood Phillip beside me, and he had actually done it,” said Kerouac in an important passage of the novel. Phillip was a pseudonym for Lucien Carr.

The novel itself is by no means the best of Kerouac or Burroughs but it portrays the talent that they both encompass.

It serves an interesting insight into the mind of the members of The Beat Generation and the portrayal of their unwavering beliefs in themselves to be unrelenting, existential heroes rather than the good for nothing losers.

I highly recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed as it is testifies to the genius of Kerouac and Burroughs and the rest of The Beat Generation.

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Boston Bombing Update

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:51:52 +0000

By Alex T. : 30 April 2013

Federal authorities are calling into question the level of involvement of the dead Boston Marathon bombing suspect’s wife.

Two senior law enforcement officials said that her level of involvement varies greatly. She may have knowingly, or unknowingly destroyed evidence, helped the bombers evade capture or even help plan the attack.

FBI agents are now testing the female DNA found on a piece of the pressure cooker used as a bomb in the Boston Marathon bombing to determine whether or not it belonged to Katherine Russell, the wife of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the officials said.

The FBI acquired a sample of Russell’s DNA while she was staying with family in Rhode Island.

The focus on Russell is an attempt by the FBI to determine who else may have been involved in aiding the bombers.

While the authorities do not believe the bombers had ties to a larger terrorist network or had accomplices, they are skeptical that others did not know of their plans or did not help them destroy evidence.

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Wildcats Beat Harpursville

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:15:31 +0000

By Alex T. : 29 April 2013

The Hancock Wildcats beat the Harpursville Hornets 12-4 at home on Monday April 29.

The wildcats next game is on Wednesday, May 1 at Walton. Good luck Wildcats!

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An Explanation, Not an Excuse

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Not all troubled teens became troubled overnight. Many of the students enrolled at FFS have been diagnosed with ADHD, a condition they have dealt with since childhood. It's a condition that accounts for their struggles with learning difficulties, social problems, and impulsive behavior, struggles that have led to poor conduct, poor judgment and poor choices.

Knowing something about ADHD helps us to better understand these students, but it doesn't excuse their behavior. And while medication can control the effects of ADHD, students can help themselves by learning to pay attention, to plan ahead, and to deal effectively with their anger and frustration. They can also learn to take responsibility for their behavior, to ask for help when they need it, and to develop themselves spiritually, physically and mentally --- a good way to cope with their ADHD, and with anything else life hands them.

Smoking Wings

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:31:30 +0000

Phil L., our food editor has got a knack for foods.

Ingredients:

16 chicken wings
1/2 cup salad oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons cane syrup or dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon Original TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon TABASCO® brand Soy Sauce
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

Step 1) Cut off and discard bony wing tips. Cut remaining wings in half.

Step 2) In large bowl, combine remaining ingredients and mix well. Marinate wings in this mixture 1 hour in refrigerator, then grill 15 to 20 minutes or until done, turning frequently.

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Relating to Mom

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

It takes a bit of living to realize that parents are people too, that they have struggles and triggers that set them off like anyone else. One boy here had problems with his overly controlling mother which got worse after he arrived at the school. "Now that I'm working on changing myself, she's on me for every little thing. I forgot to make my bed one morning on a visit home and she took it as a sign I was going back to drugs."

"That's not as ridiculous as you think," said his house leader. "How can she trust you in the big things if you can't be counted on to do something as minor as making your bed? It's about doing what you said you'd do." It's also about respect, acceptance and patience. For this student, a better relationship with a difficult mother could be the biggest achievement of his stay at FFS.

Spring Cleaning

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:26:40 +0000

By Alex T. : 25 April 2013

James D. planting in the new garden.

Spring is upon us and here at the Family School that means it’s clean up time.

Jeff Brain, Director of Admissions, Glenn Singer, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Marian Curtis, Admissions and Outreach Counselor, and a handful of students revamped the Family School with an array of floral decorations and shrubbery.

“I’m glad I got to help out with the gardening. Everything was looking a bit bland and it’s cool knowing that I helped in making things look better,” said junior Kaled S.

The project started on Thursday, April 25 and ended on April 27.

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