Seeing familiar faces around Foran is typical, but seeing relatives is a whole different story. Having familiar faces in Foran High School has been proven by students like Meredith Hayes, and Jackie Tosakoon, and teachers that it helps them feel more comfortable and safe.
History teacher Mr. Zachary Phelan has a lot of cousins within the community. Two of his second cousins are junior Meredith Hayes and senior Nora Hayes. Meredith Hayes states,“He’s so funny and welcoming already so to have him as a relative too made my freshman year a lot easier and less scary.”
Typically students do better when they have a family member in the building because then they will have someone to always lean back on. “No matter their income or background, students with involved families tend to have higher grades and test scores, better attendance, and higher homework completion rates. They enroll in more challenging classes, have better social skills and behavior, and are more likely to graduate and go on to college.” (portal.ct.gov)
The Tosakoon triplets not only have one family member but each has two siblings at Foran. They have each other in some of their classes, which they have shown they enjoy.
Junior Jackie Tosakoon explains, “I personally enjoy it, especially where most of the time the only people I talked to were my brothers until the last half of freshman year.” Having siblings in the school means having an automatic friend and someone to stick by.
In the hallways, the Tosakoon triplets are often seen together having a fun time and smiling. Having family members active in your school life from home, like parents, can be extremely helpful for students. To have a triplet that’s learning the same subjects is extremely beneficial.
But there are some downsides to having a sibling in your classes. Tosakoon has realized that he is much quieter when working with his brother because he feels less of a need to speak up.
Two of our teachers at Foran High School are married, Laura Donovan and Ryan Donovan. Mrs. Donovan met Mr. Donovans’ brother at UCONN. Mrs. Donovan and Mr. Donovans’ brother both decided to go on a mission trip, where Mr. Donovan’s brother invited him on the trip. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan met each other in Florida on the mission trip and instantly clicked. Coincidentally they both lived in CT, and it was history from there. They now have 2 children that they love deeply, their 2-year-old daughter and their 3-year-old son. The couple has their 7-year anniversary on October 22, 2023. Mr. Connors described them as, “The cutest couple”.
From what the people of Foran have said, it is safe to assume that having a relative or a spouse in the building is very beneficial and makes people feel more comfortable and happy.
