The Family Foundation School Blog

Popcorn with a Pinch of Program

by admin on February 2, 2012

New Film Class at The Family Foundation School

By Roderick O.

To help those fascinated in investigating the historical values of film, Natalya K. and Ian F. have provided a film class this semester. By starting the class, they wish to convey two messages to their students. The first one being, how film has developed into what it is today. The second one is to express the importance of the message of each film.

Getting an extra large-bucket of warm, buttered popcorn, a tall, fizzing cup of soda and sitting down with my eyes glued to a movie screen is something I love doing when I am bored. However, I forget to realize there are hundreds of years of history behind how these films came to be.

The film class is an extracurricular class and is an art credit. The art-credited class has attracted a diverse range of students around the school. Not only are the students coming together on common ground, but they are also building character by helping each other learn things about themselves through the film. This is what I believe to be the main goal of the class.

Both Ian and Natalya are both extremely talented and passionate for the class. Ian being quite savvy with technology helps the students learn how to handle the equipment properly. Natalya having tremendous passion for the history of film adds her own unique style of teaching.

By watching certain documentaries Natalya says, “It helps kids realize the extent of what they were doing before they got to the school. I want them to realize they have a perfect opportunity in front of them to redefine their lives.” Before my interview with Ian and Natalya, I thought all the class did was watch movies. I now realize that Ian and Natalya go above and beyond to help the kids understand the history behind film making while adding in pinch of program.

The Gift of Work

by admin on January 28, 2012

We believe that a strong work ethic is essential for student growth.

Succeeding in school, at a job, in a relationship, or at anything else in life has less to do with talent or luck than it does with good old-fashioned hard work. A strong work ethic is in fact the number one precursor to success. “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration,” said Thomas Edison. We believe that the greatest gift we can give young people is to help them develop the discipline, patience and persistence it takes to complete a task; to help those who dream big to fall in love with the process of work.

The kind of diligence that leads to achievement requires a willingness to endure disappointment, failure, fear, and pain without quitting. To tackle and stick with the “un-fun” parts of the process, the parts that are boring, frustrating, distasteful, and even humbling, until the job is done. Success is indeed sweet when we’ve worked hard to achieve it. But an even bigger benefit of a strong work ethic, of working hard and long to accomplish something we didn’t believe was possible to accomplish, is the confidence and self-esteem it builds.

Inspiring One Another

January 21, 2012

We believe one way that knowledge and wisdom may be gained is through respectful, sincere, and rational conversation. The therapeutic environment of The Family Foundation School offers students many healthy ways to learn, change, and grow. One of the most effective, in the 12-Step tradition, involves simple conversation. Conversing with others, telling stories and exchanging [...]

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The Emotions of a Graduation

January 18, 2012

By Roderick O. People come and go; the world keeps turning, but memories stay with you forever. This past weekend I witnessed some of my best friends graduate from the Family School. January 14, 2012 graduation left me close to tears and overwhelmed with joy. The Baccalaureate Ceremony on January 13 allowed the schools ministers [...]

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Graduation Day

January 14, 2012

Opening clip of January 2012 Graduation from The Family Foundation School on Vimeo. Dr. Gerald Janauer January 2012 Graduation Speech The time has come, once again, for us to bid farewell to our graduating seniors. Another senior class is ready to depart, waiting to pack their belongings and go home. Wow, that sounds very simple [...]

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WE ARE FAMILY

January 6, 2012

We believe that when at-risk youth repair relationships with parents and sibling they will find happiness and success. While it is true that we can choose our friends but not our family, it’s also true that friends will come and go, but family is the one constant in our lives. Strong family bonds are a [...]

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New Year’s Bash

January 3, 2012

By Ileana A. Every New Year is a new beginning. This year is no different. Here at The Family Foundation School, new beginnings are lessons learned from mistakes we made and the decision to become a better person. On December’s last night, every student was invited to a New Year’s Eve bash to welcome 2012 [...]

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Snow Time

December 26, 2011

Winters at The Family Foundation School can be tough. However, this year it has been easy on us… so far. There is no reason to worry though, because we are always prepared. Maintenance has scheduled snow-shoveling crews. The families take turns shoveling snow early in the mornings for two weeks and then rotate crews. Maintenance [...]

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