Tonight we began our end-of-year celebrations with a great baccalaureate followed by a steak, lobster and chicken dinner. One of the highlights was a visit from Scott Bartlett '63 who shared some wonderful history of the school and a great new fight song that he has composed for the Winch. I will work to get the lyrics up here if not the an actual recording of the song in the coming days. Alex Yeung '05 shared some great perspective as did faculty members Adrian Clewlow and Vestigia dedicatee Alex Magay. Another special moment that few students anywhere will be as lucky to have was the Winchendon students being seranaded by their Director of College Counseling Terry Ward. As is always the case Dajin Kim's ('09) piano music was beautiful. We will miss her music next year.
Ewood Kloos '09 delivered the following wonderful speach:
Once upon a time there was a person whose nationality was unspecified, whose language could be from any part of the world, whose religion was not obvious, whose ethnicity, background, wealth were uncertain. This person walked through the doors of the Winchendon School. He or she ate, slept, studied, laughed, interacted with 26 different cultures and nationalities. This person could be anyone of us.
The past holds the key to what is possible in the future. We acquire here a piece of paper which states we are ready for college, but we have attained much more; the pride of our parents and family; the leap in to adulthood; but most importantly, gratification in ourselves that we have obtained proficiencies that will enable us to choose our own directions. In this unique bubble in which we have lived this year, we have dealt with challenging circumstances. We lived by a relentless schedule of classes, tests, study hours, mandatory afternoon obligations, extracurricular activities and other self disciplines. We have mastered this rigorous place. Working endlessly, trying to achieve our goals while dealing with strict rules, we are the successes of the Winchendon School.
As we begin to look back with nostalgia on this voyage. Attending the Winchendon School has been a daring journey for each of us. Beginning with worries about high gas prices, ending with qualms of a economic recession; beginning with a flu micro epidemic at school, ending with the H1N1 virus pandemic; beginning with a calm fall, ending with a rough cold winter just behind our wake; beginning as teenagers, ending as young adults; we have crossed many thresholds as a community, as cohorts. We have learned from each other. The evacuation during the ice storm bonded us, the study hours disciplined us, our roommates took care of us, our friends comforted us and our teachers guided us.
This is the first time I have ever been at a school which had a morning meeting. It is unique that a school has a gathering of all the students and faculty in such a manner. I compare it to a large family gathering. Mr. Kerney at the head of the table leading and directing, Ms. Blair with either good news- if she gives a Student of the Week Award- or with bad news- if she names you back in study hall- Mr. Duncan, trying to keep us awake with his enthusiasm and spirit, and Mr. Williams with his student activity announcements. Each of us has the chance to have our own little say as well.
There was always something to complain about at the Winchendon School: the food was bland; the classes too small, too stinky, too boring, too American, too hard, too Asian, too “o-my-god-I-got-another-one-for-the-week”; too much of hearing “I want to go home”- probably the most common sentence around. But there was also always something to look forward to: a good workout at the gym, a competitive game in sports, a nice relaxing moment with friends, a climb to the top of Mt. Manadnock, a Student Government organized Chinese New Year, a scavenger hunt, a Ping-Pong tournament, a logo competition with the Wapiti as winner, and, maybe even, a challenging and fun lesson in class. Yes, I think we can admit complaining is an easy thing to do. Caring is more difficult; it requires a certain sacrifice; it demands integrity. We have cared this year.
Now we look to the future. The college choices we have made during the last few weeks have been critical in further developing our own lives. Now we must separate. Many will go to Asia, some go to Europe, a few to Africa, some to South-America and others will stay in North-America. We wish each other will on our journeys. As we think back to this place from time to time and reflect on what we have learned here, what we have gained here, not only as students, but as human beings, we will reflect on a bygone life. College is before us; years where we will further mature and thrive. As Mahatma Gandhi said: “Each night when I go to sleep I die, and next morning when I wake up I am reborn again”, so let us die a little tonight, in peace, and be reborn tomorrow on commencement day into a new life.
Ewoud Kloos '09
Adrian Clewlow's thoughtful words of wisdom are below:
Baccalaureate 2009
This speech will be short, sweet, and hopefully, engaging. While this is directed mostly to our graduating class, I believe that it is relevant to all of you here.
I would like to talk about the lessons that I've learned in the 20 years since my high school graduation. Don't take what I say as "truth." Just listen. Perhaps my experience can help you out a tiny bit. As we look at the present global crises that we are faced with, we only need to look at history to see that we have been here before, and we will be here again, but we will endure and overcome all obstacles. Many of you have experienced great loss and suffering in your lives, but you have endured, and you have overcome. As you progress, here are 5 things that have helped illuminate my path as I have moved forward in my life and they may, perhaps, help you in your adventures in life.
#5: Live as much as you possibly can.
You are going to work the rest of your lives, so don't be in a rush to start. Stretch out your college education. Now is the time to suck life into your lungs, before you grow roots and establish a life that includes a mortgage, car payments and kids.
Take whole semesters off to travel overseas. Take jobs and internships that pay less money or no money. Investigate your passions. Live in different cities. Delay for as long as possible, the inevitable entry into the workplace. You have 50 years of work ahead of you in your chosen careers, so enjoy what is out there now as much as you can.
#4: Pursue joy, not just happiness.
This is probably the hardest lesson of all to learn. It probably seems to you that the goal in life is to be "happy." You may have to make sacrifices and study and work hard, but, by and large, happiness should be predictable.
Nice house. Nice car. Nice material things. Happiness is temporary and fleeting, especially when you suffer the loss of these nice things. Joy, by contrast, is unpredictable. It comes from pursing interests and passions that do not obviously result in happiness, but fill you with a greater sense of achievement, knowledge, and satisfaction. Figure out what your joy is. Figure out what it takes within you to create joy in your life.
Pursuing joy will give you the opportunity to study what you love and what you WANT to study, not the things that you feel like you HAVE to study.
#3: Learn to speak a foreign language.
The world is a great playground, and if you can stretch out beyond that which you know, and even beyond that which you are comfortable with, you will be greatly enriched. Learning a foreign language will open up many doors for you in many different ways. You have all experienced different cultures here at Winchendon, so why not dig a little deeper and live the cultures that you have only scratched the surface of. Most significantly, you will learn a little more about yourself and of what you are truly capable. Reach out and explore what the world has to offer.
#2: Continue to learn.
Learning is a process, not an event. Learning is not over when you get your diploma or your college degree. You should never stop learning. In fact, it gets easier to learn once you're out of school because it's easier to see the relevance of why you need to learn.
You have been learning in a structured, dedicated environment here at Winchendon. We, as a community, should have prepared you well enough to take the next step in your educational careers as you progress into college. All that we ask now is that you carry what you have learned here with you, and that you strive for collegiate success with the same determination as you have shown here.
And lastly, and by no means least:
#1: Enjoy your friends and “be here now”:
This is the most important advice I have for you. It doesn't need much explanation. I'll just repeat it: Enjoy your friends and be here now. Be in the moment.
As you look around, there are many of your friends and classmates who are not here to enjoy the graduation weekend. They, like those of you graduating this weekend, have been working towards this moment for the duration of their time here at Winchendon. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, they cannot be here to share in this celebration. Times change, situations vary, but your friends will always be your friends. Take pride in your accomplishments. Take pride in your friends’ accomplishments. Remember your friends in good times as they will always be there for you in the bad times. Friends will continue to serve as your foundation as you branch out and explore life beyond the Winch. Friends will continue to remind you from where you came and serve as strong roots in your history, while also allowing you to grow and evolve into more complete individuals.
In conclusion, we encourage you to continue to develop as an individual, but we hope that you will always carry with you the things that you have learned during your time here. All 5 of these points mentioned go hand in hand with each other. Each single point exists within all the other points. We hope that you will remember the time that you have spent here fondly, as your time here will always be a part of your experience, and years down the road, it will still have played a major part in defining who you are as a person. Please come back to visit the school and the faculty who have helped to mold you. You are unique in the fact that you are Mr. Kerney’s first Winchendon class. You are the yardstick by which all other classes will be judged. I hope that you are as proud of your accomplishments as we are, and it is our sincere hope that you continue to keep ties to the Winchendon School through alumni events and frequent visits back to The Winch. Good luck and good fortune to all of you.
Thanks to all who made this a great evening. Now the students are back studying hard for the math finals tomorrow and many faculty are working to correct exams. I will work to get more posted in the coming days as I can.
Have a good evening.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
We are into the last week!
This morning started with a working breakfast. Whereas the dining room is usually abuzz on most mornings, lots of students were eating and taking a last look at their exam notes as they prepared for exams. As I write this, most are getting near the end of that first exam and hopefully checking their work carefully! There will be a second exam this afternoon for many, after which the students will take a short break to enjoy the beautiful day, relax with friends, ride skateboards, play some tennis and perhaps even get a few holes of golf in. Then it will be back to studying for tomorrow's assessments.
Outside of Ford Hall the tent is going up, and all around final preparations for graduation festivities are under way. It is hard to believe how quickly this great year is coming to an end. However, there is a whole lot of work to be done between now and Saturday!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Arts and WOW!
As I look back on last week, highlights would have to involve the culmination of many WOW projects and the arts, arts, arts...
On the WOW front, a number of groups made final presentations. I don't have the grand total yet, but lots of money has been raised for different organizations and causes. It is wonderful to see how the Winchendon School community has stepped up. There was some interesting facial hair growth, a playhouse made from water bottles and a raffle to add to the excitement. Most importantly, different groups shared important information and perspective with not just the student body but also kids in the town school as well.
On Thursday evening I announced that there was a tie for the top prize winners. The Harvey advisee group took top honors for the work that they did educating us about both Angola and land mine atrocities as well as their connecting with a young student in Angola and their fund raising efforts. Mr. Johnson's group shared top honors for the workshops on Asian culture that they led for eighty sixth graders in town. The Winchendon students received many thank you's and compliments from both the local students and the teachers at the middle school.
On Friday afternoon, members of the two winning groups headed into Boston for a little fun, which included a duck boat tour. In this case, Rob M. is about to take the duck boat through/over a fleet of sailboats due to his failure to look where he is going.
A great evening on the Charles River was followed by a big dinner at Smith and Wollensky's.
But WOW wasn't the only excitement. On Thursday night, most of the students and faculty turned out for the annual art show. The dining room was full of art, artists and viewers, and all were impressed by the year's work. We are looking into putting a number of these on longer term display for parents and other visitors in the coming months.
A neat totem pole has of ceramic sculptures has been erected outside of the Dining Hall, and the potters had a raku firing as well.
...and if all that wasn't enough, we also learned where Mrs. Blair gets her wisdom!
Thanks for another great week.
On the WOW front, a number of groups made final presentations. I don't have the grand total yet, but lots of money has been raised for different organizations and causes. It is wonderful to see how the Winchendon School community has stepped up. There was some interesting facial hair growth, a playhouse made from water bottles and a raffle to add to the excitement. Most importantly, different groups shared important information and perspective with not just the student body but also kids in the town school as well.
On Thursday evening I announced that there was a tie for the top prize winners. The Harvey advisee group took top honors for the work that they did educating us about both Angola and land mine atrocities as well as their connecting with a young student in Angola and their fund raising efforts. Mr. Johnson's group shared top honors for the workshops on Asian culture that they led for eighty sixth graders in town. The Winchendon students received many thank you's and compliments from both the local students and the teachers at the middle school.On Friday afternoon, members of the two winning groups headed into Boston for a little fun, which included a duck boat tour. In this case, Rob M. is about to take the duck boat through/over a fleet of sailboats due to his failure to look where he is going.
A great evening on the Charles River was followed by a big dinner at Smith and Wollensky's.
But WOW wasn't the only excitement. On Thursday night, most of the students and faculty turned out for the annual art show. The dining room was full of art, artists and viewers, and all were impressed by the year's work. We are looking into putting a number of these on longer term display for parents and other visitors in the coming months.
A neat totem pole has of ceramic sculptures has been erected outside of the Dining Hall, and the potters had a raku firing as well.
...and if all that wasn't enough, we also learned where Mrs. Blair gets her wisdom!
Thanks for another great week.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Updated - We Don't Need No More Trouble!
Shortly after I posted yesterday, Playing for Change changed its website. I have now updated the link to the same video on YouTube, where there are other Playing For Change videos as well.
Great video and message. If you haven's seen it, check it out. Just Click Here. It's well worth a couple of minutes.
...and this is an incredible version of "Stand By Me" that has been viewed more than ten million times.
Click here to get to Playing For Change's website.
Thanks to Margaret Bartlett for telling me about it.
Great video and message. If you haven's seen it, check it out. Just Click Here. It's well worth a couple of minutes.
...and this is an incredible version of "Stand By Me" that has been viewed more than ten million times.
Click here to get to Playing For Change's website.
Thanks to Margaret Bartlett for telling me about it.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Winchendon Wapiti
What is a 'wapiti' you ask? 'Wapiti' is the run-away leading proposal for a mascot for The Winchendon School. Wapiti is a broadly used term for elk, and the students and faculty have strongly supported it as the new mascot.
Since students first welcomed me to Winchendon last year, they have been consistently talking about the need for a mascot. The “green wave” just hasn’t done it for them, and lots of ideas have emerged over the year. There were so many good ideas, it was clear that we needed a contest. And what contest is any good without prizes? After all, we wanted as many good entries that we could get.
In the end, there were eight who submitted not just designs but essays explaining their submissions. A panel of students and faculty members reduced this to three, and then most of the community voted last week. The final three included a mustang (with a link to our Toy Town heritage), a lynx and the wapiti (also known as elk). More than 240 people voted with over 60% choosing the wapiti and fewer than 4% saying that they didn’t like any of the three options.
A quick visit to Wikipedia suggests that the wapiti is one of the largest members of the deer family and one of the largest mammals found in North America and eastern Asia. Members of the species are also found in Europe and New Zealand, and wapiti are known for being very adaptable, just like students from Winchendon. The proposer of the wapiti, history teacher and hockey coach Sean Hayes wrote in his proposal:
"This animal draws similarities to the Winchendon community in various ways. The wapiti are found on three continents in particular, while we have students who come from all over the globe. The wapiti are often times seen living in large numbers in order to provide protection from predators. They work together for the greater good of the heard, providing protection for one another while they eat and sleep....some cultures even revere the elk or wapiti as a spiritual force."
Mr. Hayes had also thoughtfully researched the School's crest and history in an effort to develop a link to the antlered animal featured on the crest. The crest is thought to tie back to the town of Winchendon in Buckinghamshire, England. Mr. Hayes had initially focused on a buck, but that would have resulted by definition in a male mascot. The wapiti allows for a tie to the crest and can can be either male or female (although the females do not have antlers). Many also liked the ideas that the wapiti are strong and can be found on multiple continents, and no one had heard of other schools selecting it as a mascot. Some liked the possible mystery around wapiti and the fact that some people would ask "what is a wapiti?"
Mr. Hayes wins a new Ipod for his efforts. We will be working to refine the design for the wapiti logo and will discuss the Wapiti at the next Board of Trustees meeting at the end of the month. Thank you to Mr. Hayes, to the Student Council for stewarding the selection process and to all of the students and faculty who participated in the selection process.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Good Morning Friday
It is a beautiful morning in Winchendon, with the early sun and warmth making all those cold winter mornings seeming worth it. As I walked up the sixth fairway to school this morning, I couldn't help but marvel how lucky we are to be able to live, learn and work in such a great setting.
It's also especially nice to go through this morning's headlines from around the world and not see the H1N1 virus anywhere in the top stories. The only exception was in the China Daily, but even that was good news as the story covered how that China has released the people that it had had in quarantine. While we are all saddened by the earlier loss of life in Mexico, it is wonderful to see that at least for now H1N1 has not developed into the dangerous outbreak that many has feared. The head of the WHO credits increased awareness and the rapid response of those initially impacted.
The additional good news is that any concerns about near term border issues or restrictions have declined significantly. At this point we are discouraging the departure of any other students due such concerns. It appears that all borders will remain open and that travel will not be disrupted.
While the total number of cases worldwide will likely climb, the major health organizations are increasingly confident of their ability to treat H1N1.
Now...if only we could have the same good luck in getting through the current economic turmoil! Have a good weekend and happy mother's day.
It's also especially nice to go through this morning's headlines from around the world and not see the H1N1 virus anywhere in the top stories. The only exception was in the China Daily, but even that was good news as the story covered how that China has released the people that it had had in quarantine. While we are all saddened by the earlier loss of life in Mexico, it is wonderful to see that at least for now H1N1 has not developed into the dangerous outbreak that many has feared. The head of the WHO credits increased awareness and the rapid response of those initially impacted.
The additional good news is that any concerns about near term border issues or restrictions have declined significantly. At this point we are discouraging the departure of any other students due such concerns. It appears that all borders will remain open and that travel will not be disrupted.
While the total number of cases worldwide will likely climb, the major health organizations are increasingly confident of their ability to treat H1N1.
Now...if only we could have the same good luck in getting through the current economic turmoil! Have a good weekend and happy mother's day.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Thursday Morning, May 7 Update
Spring showers are providing green fairways and lots of early flowers. The lilacs are getting ready to bloom. Things should be beautiful for graduation, which is just over three weeks away. It is great to see the students out on the golf course and playing fields each afternoon, although I am often jealous as I would like to be out with them.
The good news is that the campus remains very healthy, perhaps healthier than it has been all year! With all the awareness about H1N1 and precautionary measures that we have taken, we have very few people even with colds. Unfortunately, a small number of students have chosen to leave early due to concerns about possible border closures, but the significant majority are hard at work, preparing to finish the year in high style. In the last couple of days, there have also been a number of students who had intended to leave but have now decided to stay as we have learned more about the disease and it is has proved less virulent than initially expected.
Spring is a very busy time. There are all sorts of interesting WOW projects and presentations going on. Mrs. Blair is starting to meet with students about course placement for next year, and Mr. Ward and the college counselors are getting the juniors geared up for their college search. There are games and athletic contests almost every day. It's a wonderful time to be at Winchendon!
The good news is that the campus remains very healthy, perhaps healthier than it has been all year! With all the awareness about H1N1 and precautionary measures that we have taken, we have very few people even with colds. Unfortunately, a small number of students have chosen to leave early due to concerns about possible border closures, but the significant majority are hard at work, preparing to finish the year in high style. In the last couple of days, there have also been a number of students who had intended to leave but have now decided to stay as we have learned more about the disease and it is has proved less virulent than initially expected.
Spring is a very busy time. There are all sorts of interesting WOW projects and presentations going on. Mrs. Blair is starting to meet with students about course placement for next year, and Mr. Ward and the college counselors are getting the juniors geared up for their college search. There are games and athletic contests almost every day. It's a wonderful time to be at Winchendon!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Morning update on H1N1 - Tuesday May 5
Good morning,
We are continuing to get some inquiries from parents, with the greatest concern being not about actual infection but about the risk of border closings. However, much of the news this morning is positive with the reporting of new cases appearing to slow and almost all of those infected responding well to medical treatment. There have been no known further deaths in the U.S.A. other than the one young child who contracted the virus in Mexico.
The Winchendon School remains open as are all other boarding schools and colleges that we are aware of. There had been one boarding school in New Hampshire that had closed yesterday, but they have returned to full schedule and normal classes today.
As reported on CNN, U.S. Director of Homeland Security Janet Napolitino stated that the H1N1 is proving to be similar and not more dangerous than the normal flu.
"What the epidemiologists are seeing now with this particular strain of H1N1 is that the severity of the disease, the severity of the flu -- how sick you get -- is not stronger than regular seasonal flu," she said.
In its daily update, The World Health Organization was also positive about the slowing pace of infection and reiterated its recommendation that there was no need to consider border closures or restriction on travel.
"WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. "
We will continue to monitor the situation closely but are pleased to see the general outlook improving.
Have a good and healthy day,
John
We are continuing to get some inquiries from parents, with the greatest concern being not about actual infection but about the risk of border closings. However, much of the news this morning is positive with the reporting of new cases appearing to slow and almost all of those infected responding well to medical treatment. There have been no known further deaths in the U.S.A. other than the one young child who contracted the virus in Mexico.
The Winchendon School remains open as are all other boarding schools and colleges that we are aware of. There had been one boarding school in New Hampshire that had closed yesterday, but they have returned to full schedule and normal classes today.
As reported on CNN, U.S. Director of Homeland Security Janet Napolitino stated that the H1N1 is proving to be similar and not more dangerous than the normal flu.
"What the epidemiologists are seeing now with this particular strain of H1N1 is that the severity of the disease, the severity of the flu -- how sick you get -- is not stronger than regular seasonal flu," she said.
In its daily update, The World Health Organization was also positive about the slowing pace of infection and reiterated its recommendation that there was no need to consider border closures or restriction on travel.
"WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. "
We will continue to monitor the situation closely but are pleased to see the general outlook improving.
Have a good and healthy day,
John
Monday, May 4, 2009
Important Letter To Our International Players
Updated post - the letter has now been translated to Korean and is included at the bottom of this post. Thank you to senior Dajin Kim for her help getting this translated.
The H1N1 virus continues to be on all of our minds. Below is a letter with a translation into Chinese by Hao Wen , our student body President. I will add a Korean version as soon as it is completed.
May 4, 2009
Dear Parents of International Students,
Many of you have raised concerns about the number of H1N1(Swine) influenza cases in the United States and related concerns about getting your children home safely.
We continue to monitor the situation very closely at Winchendon and have taken many steps to ensure that our community remains healthy. Fortunately the influenza has been relatively mild in the United States to date with all but one who has contracted H1N1 having responded positively to treatment. The one victim who lost his life was a very young boy who contracted the disease in Mexico and then traveled to the States. Otherwise, the current strain of the influenza has proven to be less virulent than previous, more dangerous variants.
However, there are both internal factors and external risks that we cannot control. At this point, perhaps the biggest risk is not actual infection but the risk that international travel may be restricted at some point. We cannot be fully confidant that international travel will be unfettered or that at some point border restrictions may be posted.
Therefore, we are creating an opportunity for international parents to request that their students be allowed to return home and complete their year through independent study starting immediately. However, it is very important to recognize that if your student does return home, he or she will still be responsible for completing a significant amount of work independently and submitting that work electronically. For some students, this may also include the participation in conference calls or web-based seminars. This work will be an important consideration in your student’s final grade.
Please understand that we are creating this independent study program as an alternative to completing the school year as scheduled. The Winchendon School will continue to operate through the next four weeks as scheduled, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students and faculty. The World Health Organization and The Centers For Disease Control continue to maintain that neither school or border closures are necessitated at this point. We will continue to monitor the situation constantly and respond as necessary.
Safety remains our highest concern. Accordingly we will need to speak directly with any parent who is requesting a child’s early departure and to review the travel documents. Students will only be permitted to participate in this independent study program if they are traveling home to be with their parents or another relative who is at least 25 years old. Parents should make their request to either our Dean of Students Elliot Harvey or me, and all final travel documentation will need to be approved by Mr. Harvey. Before students leave, they will need to have time to meet with each of their teachers to review their independent study projects and understand the timelines and requirements. They will also need to meet with Academic Dean Pam Blair to make initial course selections for next year, as well as then going through normal end-of-year packing and check-out with Mr. Harvey. Finally, we cannot promise that we will be able to provide all students with transportation to the airport as our staff will all still be teaching. We will do our best to help out in any way that we can, but students and families leaving early may need to arrange their own transportation to the airport. Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Blair and I can be reached through the School’s main number at 001-978-297-1223 or by email at eharvey@winchendon.org, pblair@winchendon.org or jkerney@winchendon.org.
Please note that The Winchendon School may withdraw this early departure option if the health environment improves considerably and that this option will only remain in effect until May 15th, at which point students will need to complete final exams on campus. Furthermore, if the health environment worsens, the School’s administration may determine it necessary to shorten or close the school year sooner.
I hope that many families will choose to have their children remain with us and see what has been a terrific year to the finish. However, I also want each of our families to feel as safe as possible. You, as parents, will need to make that choice.
It is unfortunate when we have to alter plans unexpectedly because of circumstances beyond our control, but that is also what we aim to prepare our students for. Those who can manage the unexpected often do the best. We have been fortunate to have a remarkable year at Winchendon. This year’s senior class has been absolutely wonderful and has helped lead this school in many ways. While I hope that most of us will still be together through graduation, there is no need for many of us to have to worry unnecessarily about health or travel. This may require some to choose a different path to finishing the year. Knowing these students, I am sure that something very good will come of their efforts. For those that choose to finish the year with us, they will also have a strong finish, and we will take very good care of them.
Nulla vestigial retrorsum (no steps backward),
John Kerney
Headmaster
2009年五月四日
亲爱的国际学生的家长们：
近期许多家长非常关心美国H1N1(猪流感)的传染病例以及如何采取措施让自己的孩子安全到家。
我们持续并且十分仔细的观察着学校状况并且已经采取了必要的措施去保证我们整个社区的健康以及安全。幸运的是这种传染病在美国还处在温和的阶段，在全美所有的病例中几乎所有的患者接受治疗后都有积极的反应。唯独一名从墨西哥旅游回来后感染上这种疾病的年轻男孩子失去了生命。换句话说，如今状态下的流感病毒被证实了比以往传染病毒要温和很多。
但是，现在有许多我们不能控制的内部和外部风险。现存更大的隐藏风险并不是流感的传播，而是国际间旅行有可能会被某种程度的受限。我们不能完全肯定在什么状态下国际旅行会被禁止或者通行。
因此，我们为国际学生家长提供了一个机会去早点接回自己的孩子并且马上在家自主的完成剩下的学业。但是，很重要的一点是即使学生回到了家，也必须完成大量的作业并且通过邮件方式提交作业给老师。对于一些学生来说，这需要包括电话辅导以及网上教学。这些学习和功课将会在期末总成绩中占有很大的比例。
请记住我们只是为您提供了另外一种在家自主学习的项目去完成计划中的学校课程。温臣顿中学会在以下的四个星期继续如往常在学校开展教学，并且我们也会做最大的努力去保证学生以及教师的安全。国际卫生组织以及疾病防治中心在现在的情况下认为学校以及国家边境应该保持开放。
安全始终是我们最注重的一点。我们需要直接与那些希望早点接回孩子的家长交谈并察看旅行资料。只有打算回国与父母或者与年龄高于25岁的亲属来完成这个自主学习项目的学生才能获得这个资格。有意愿的家长可以向学生处主任Mr.Harvey或者我本人提出申请，所有的旅行资料必须需要经过Mr.Harvey的审核认可。在学生离开前，他们必须和所有的任课老师商讨独自学习项目以及家庭功课的要求及提交时间。另外他们也必须和教导处主任Pam Blair交谈并且选择明年的课程。学生们有责任去完成房间清洁并由Mr.Harvey检查。最后，因为老师们会继续在学校授课，我们不能保证学校可以提供所有学校至机场的交通服务。我们会竭尽所能去帮助学生，但是需要提早离校的学生或家庭应该首先自己安排到机场的交通工具。您可以随时通过学校电话联系到Mr.Harvey, Mrs.Blair,和我，或者发邮件到eharvey@winchendon.org, pblair@winchendon.org, jkerney@winchendon.org.
请注意如果健康情况得到很好的改善，温臣顿中学可能取消这个提早离开计划。并且此计划截止日期是五月十五号，因为即将到来的期末考试，在此日期后学生将不会允许离开学校。另外，如果局势持续恶化，学校管理层会视情况决定是否提前放假。
我希望家长能让孩子们与我们待在一起享受余下的美好时光。但是我们也同时希望您感觉并且确保孩子的安全。您，作为家长，需要做出这个决定。
在复杂以及预料不到的局势下，我们感到不幸的去更改原订计划和方案，但借此机会我们希望教会孩子如何去根据不同的局势去做出不同的判断。那些可以合理处理安排的学生将在以后的生活中收益匪浅。我们幸运的和学生一起创造出了非常杰出的一年。今年的毕业班表现无与伦比，并且在各方面做到了学校的标榜。我始终希望大部分学生可以选择与我们留在学校，安全和旅行健康目前还是可以保证的。一些学生可能会选择提早回国学习，我同时相信他们也可以和完满的完成本学年的课程。对于那些愿意和我们在学校一起继续课程的学生，我肯定他们会十分杰出的完成学业，同时我们会很好的照顾他们。
勇往直前 ！
John Kerney
校长
...and in Korean.
윈첸든 국제 학생 학부모님께.
최근 여러 학부모님들께서 최근 미국에서 일어난 SI (돼지 인플루엔자)에 관련된 사건들과 학생들이 집으로 안전하게 돌아갈 수 있느냐에 관한 고려 사항을 전해 주셨습니다.
우리는 이 곳 윈첸든에서 상황을 자세히 지켜보며 모든 교직원과 학생들에게 피해가 돌아가지 않도록 최선을 다하고 있습니다. 다행히도 미국에서는 인플루엔자의 영향이 상대적으로 작았으며 신종 바이러스 N1H1에 반응한 희생자는 지금까지 단 한 명인 것으로 나타났습니다. 이 감염자는 멕시코에서 일정을 마친 후 미국으로 돌아와 안타깝게도 짧은 생애를 마감한 어린 소년이었습니다. 이 경우를 제외하면 SI의 영향이 이종의 인플루엔자 (예: SARS 사스 감기) 비해 덜 심각한 것으로 나타났습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 학교측에서 통제할 수 없는 외부 사정이 나타나고 있습니다. 현재로서 우리의 가장 큰 우려는 감염이 아닌 학생들이 고국에 돌아갈 수 있을 것이냐에 관한 문제 입니다. 미국에서 국제 여행이 제한 될 가능성이 있기 때문이 때문입니다. 국제 여행이 현재처럼 자유로울 지 제한 될 지는 현재로서 저희도 장담을 할 수 없는 상황에 놓여져 있습니다.
이 때문에 학교에서는 국제 학생들이 집에 안전하게 돌아가 독립적으로 학교 공부를 하고 과제를 마쳐 학년을 마감할 수 있는 기회를 제공하기로 결정을 내렸습니다. 이 기회를 택하는 경우에는 학생들은 책임감을 가지고 공부를 해야 하며 과제 역시 이메일을 통해 반드시 제출해야 한다는 사실을 명심해야 합니다. 몇몇 학생들의 경우에는 컨퍼런스 (추가 공부시간)와 인터넷을 이용한 수업 역시 포함 사항입니다. 이 모든 과제는 학기말 성적에 포함되므로 굉장히 중요하다는 것을 잊지 말아주십시오. 이 기회는 예정된 학년을 마치는 데에 꼭 필요한 과정의 대안이라는 것을 이해해주시기 바랍니다. 윈첸든스쿨은 예정된 바와 같이 남은 4주 동안 학생들과 교직원의 건강과 안전을 최우선으로 한 환경 안에서 수업 역시 모두 진행 될 것입니다. 세계 건강 기구와 질병 통제 센터에서는 학교 휴업 또는 미국 국경선 폐쇄가 필요치 않다고 발표했습니다. 상황을 계속 지켜보며 상황 변화가 생길 경우 바로 학부모님께 연락 드리겠습니다.
가장 중요한 것은 학생들의 안전입니다. 그러므로 위에 말씀 드린 기회를 자녀분이 택하고자 할 때는 우리는 학부모님들과 직접 대화를 나눌 것이고 학생의 국제선 티켓 문서를 확인할 것입니다. 이 기회는 고국에 돌아가 부모님 또는 25세 이상의 친척과 함께 생활하는 경우에만 허락이 내려질 것입니다. 이 경우, 학부모님들께서는 저 (교장선생님) 또는 Mr. Harvey께 연락을 주셔야 하고 그 후Harvey 선생님께서 최종적으로 국제선 항공 티켓을 확인하실 것입니다. 떠나기 전에 학생들은 각 선생님과 만나 과제, 제출 시간 등을 반드시 확인해야만 합니다. 또한 이 학생들은 아카데믹 학장 Mrs. Blair를 만나 내년에 수강할 과목을 선택하고 지금까지 해왔던 대로 짐을 모두 꾸린 후 Mr. Harvey에게 확인 받은 후 떠날 수 있습니다. 학생들이 떠날 시 교직원들은 수업 중일 터라 공항으로 운송 수단이 제공될 수 있을 지는 현재 미지수 입니다. 최선을 다해 이 문제를 해결해 보도록 노력할 예정이지만 일찍 떠나는 학생들에게는 떠나기 전 운송수단 문제를 미리 생각해보는 것을 권합니다. 연락은 001-978-297-1223으로 전화를 주시거나 Mr. Harvey: eharvey@winchendon.org / Mrs. Blair: plabir@winchendon.org / Mr. Kerney jkerney@winchendon.org 로 이메일 보내주시면 바로 답장 드리겠습니다.
보건 환경상황이 상당히 나아지는 경우 학교에서 이 결정을 취소 할 수도 있다는 점을 숙지하여 주시기 바랍니다. 이러한 경우, 이 결정은 5월 15일까지만 유효합니다. 이 때문에 일찍 출발하기로 결정한 학생들은 5월 15일까지 교내에서 학기말고사를 마쳐야 합니다. 보건 환경이 심히 악화되는 경우엔 불가피하게 학년이 예정에 비해 일찍 끝날 수도 있다는 점 역시 기억해주시기 바랍니다.
많은 학생들이 학교에 남아 즐거운 학년 말을 모두 함께 마감할 수 있기를 바라지만 학생들의 안전 역시 빼놓을 수 없는 문제라는 것을 압니다. 모든 결정은 여러분, 부모님께 달려 있습니다.
학교 측에서 통제할 수 없는 이 문제로 예정에 없었던 대안 방법을 갑작스레 발표하게 되어 굉장히 유감입니다. 하지만 이 대안 방법도 역시 우리 학생들을 위한 최선의 선택이었습니다. 함께 알찬 한 해를 지낸 우리 학생들이 자랑스럽고 이들과 함께 할 수 있었음에 감사하고 있습니다. 곧 졸업생이 될 우리 12학년 학생들은 후배들을 도우며 학교를 이끌어 나갔습니다. 모든 12학년 학생들이 자랑스럽게 졸업하는 모습을 볼 수 있기를 희망하지만 불가피 일찍 돌아가기로 결정한 학생들도 있을 것입니다. 비록 예정과 다르게 학년 말을 마치더라도 지금까지 쌓아둔 노력과 지식이 이 학생들의 밝은 미래의 디딤돌이 될 거라 자신합니다. 학교에 남아 학년 말을 마치는 학생들은 좀더 알찬 마무리를 할 수 있을 것이며 우리 교직원들 또한 최선을 다해 학생들을 돕고 돌볼 것을 약속 드립니다.
Nulla vestigial restrosum (뒷 걸음질 없이 앞으로 나아가자.)
2009년 5월 4일
John Kerney 줜 컬니
Headmaster 윈첸든스쿨 교장
The H1N1 virus continues to be on all of our minds. Below is a letter with a translation into Chinese by Hao Wen , our student body President. I will add a Korean version as soon as it is completed.
May 4, 2009
Dear Parents of International Students,
Many of you have raised concerns about the number of H1N1(Swine) influenza cases in the United States and related concerns about getting your children home safely.
We continue to monitor the situation very closely at Winchendon and have taken many steps to ensure that our community remains healthy. Fortunately the influenza has been relatively mild in the United States to date with all but one who has contracted H1N1 having responded positively to treatment. The one victim who lost his life was a very young boy who contracted the disease in Mexico and then traveled to the States. Otherwise, the current strain of the influenza has proven to be less virulent than previous, more dangerous variants.
However, there are both internal factors and external risks that we cannot control. At this point, perhaps the biggest risk is not actual infection but the risk that international travel may be restricted at some point. We cannot be fully confidant that international travel will be unfettered or that at some point border restrictions may be posted.
Therefore, we are creating an opportunity for international parents to request that their students be allowed to return home and complete their year through independent study starting immediately. However, it is very important to recognize that if your student does return home, he or she will still be responsible for completing a significant amount of work independently and submitting that work electronically. For some students, this may also include the participation in conference calls or web-based seminars. This work will be an important consideration in your student’s final grade.
Please understand that we are creating this independent study program as an alternative to completing the school year as scheduled. The Winchendon School will continue to operate through the next four weeks as scheduled, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students and faculty. The World Health Organization and The Centers For Disease Control continue to maintain that neither school or border closures are necessitated at this point. We will continue to monitor the situation constantly and respond as necessary.
Safety remains our highest concern. Accordingly we will need to speak directly with any parent who is requesting a child’s early departure and to review the travel documents. Students will only be permitted to participate in this independent study program if they are traveling home to be with their parents or another relative who is at least 25 years old. Parents should make their request to either our Dean of Students Elliot Harvey or me, and all final travel documentation will need to be approved by Mr. Harvey. Before students leave, they will need to have time to meet with each of their teachers to review their independent study projects and understand the timelines and requirements. They will also need to meet with Academic Dean Pam Blair to make initial course selections for next year, as well as then going through normal end-of-year packing and check-out with Mr. Harvey. Finally, we cannot promise that we will be able to provide all students with transportation to the airport as our staff will all still be teaching. We will do our best to help out in any way that we can, but students and families leaving early may need to arrange their own transportation to the airport. Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Blair and I can be reached through the School’s main number at 001-978-297-1223 or by email at eharvey@winchendon.org, pblair@winchendon.org or jkerney@winchendon.org.
Please note that The Winchendon School may withdraw this early departure option if the health environment improves considerably and that this option will only remain in effect until May 15th, at which point students will need to complete final exams on campus. Furthermore, if the health environment worsens, the School’s administration may determine it necessary to shorten or close the school year sooner.
I hope that many families will choose to have their children remain with us and see what has been a terrific year to the finish. However, I also want each of our families to feel as safe as possible. You, as parents, will need to make that choice.
It is unfortunate when we have to alter plans unexpectedly because of circumstances beyond our control, but that is also what we aim to prepare our students for. Those who can manage the unexpected often do the best. We have been fortunate to have a remarkable year at Winchendon. This year’s senior class has been absolutely wonderful and has helped lead this school in many ways. While I hope that most of us will still be together through graduation, there is no need for many of us to have to worry unnecessarily about health or travel. This may require some to choose a different path to finishing the year. Knowing these students, I am sure that something very good will come of their efforts. For those that choose to finish the year with us, they will also have a strong finish, and we will take very good care of them.
Nulla vestigial retrorsum (no steps backward),
John Kerney
Headmaster
2009年五月四日
亲爱的国际学生的家长们：
近期许多家长非常关心美国H1N1(猪流感)的传染病例以及如何采取措施让自己的孩子安全到家。
我们持续并且十分仔细的观察着学校状况并且已经采取了必要的措施去保证我们整个社区的健康以及安全。幸运的是这种传染病在美国还处在温和的阶段，在全美所有的病例中几乎所有的患者接受治疗后都有积极的反应。唯独一名从墨西哥旅游回来后感染上这种疾病的年轻男孩子失去了生命。换句话说，如今状态下的流感病毒被证实了比以往传染病毒要温和很多。
但是，现在有许多我们不能控制的内部和外部风险。现存更大的隐藏风险并不是流感的传播，而是国际间旅行有可能会被某种程度的受限。我们不能完全肯定在什么状态下国际旅行会被禁止或者通行。
因此，我们为国际学生家长提供了一个机会去早点接回自己的孩子并且马上在家自主的完成剩下的学业。但是，很重要的一点是即使学生回到了家，也必须完成大量的作业并且通过邮件方式提交作业给老师。对于一些学生来说，这需要包括电话辅导以及网上教学。这些学习和功课将会在期末总成绩中占有很大的比例。
请记住我们只是为您提供了另外一种在家自主学习的项目去完成计划中的学校课程。温臣顿中学会在以下的四个星期继续如往常在学校开展教学，并且我们也会做最大的努力去保证学生以及教师的安全。国际卫生组织以及疾病防治中心在现在的情况下认为学校以及国家边境应该保持开放。
安全始终是我们最注重的一点。我们需要直接与那些希望早点接回孩子的家长交谈并察看旅行资料。只有打算回国与父母或者与年龄高于25岁的亲属来完成这个自主学习项目的学生才能获得这个资格。有意愿的家长可以向学生处主任Mr.Harvey或者我本人提出申请，所有的旅行资料必须需要经过Mr.Harvey的审核认可。在学生离开前，他们必须和所有的任课老师商讨独自学习项目以及家庭功课的要求及提交时间。另外他们也必须和教导处主任Pam Blair交谈并且选择明年的课程。学生们有责任去完成房间清洁并由Mr.Harvey检查。最后，因为老师们会继续在学校授课，我们不能保证学校可以提供所有学校至机场的交通服务。我们会竭尽所能去帮助学生，但是需要提早离校的学生或家庭应该首先自己安排到机场的交通工具。您可以随时通过学校电话联系到Mr.Harvey, Mrs.Blair,和我，或者发邮件到eharvey@winchendon.org, pblair@winchendon.org, jkerney@winchendon.org.
请注意如果健康情况得到很好的改善，温臣顿中学可能取消这个提早离开计划。并且此计划截止日期是五月十五号，因为即将到来的期末考试，在此日期后学生将不会允许离开学校。另外，如果局势持续恶化，学校管理层会视情况决定是否提前放假。
我希望家长能让孩子们与我们待在一起享受余下的美好时光。但是我们也同时希望您感觉并且确保孩子的安全。您，作为家长，需要做出这个决定。
在复杂以及预料不到的局势下，我们感到不幸的去更改原订计划和方案，但借此机会我们希望教会孩子如何去根据不同的局势去做出不同的判断。那些可以合理处理安排的学生将在以后的生活中收益匪浅。我们幸运的和学生一起创造出了非常杰出的一年。今年的毕业班表现无与伦比，并且在各方面做到了学校的标榜。我始终希望大部分学生可以选择与我们留在学校，安全和旅行健康目前还是可以保证的。一些学生可能会选择提早回国学习，我同时相信他们也可以和完满的完成本学年的课程。对于那些愿意和我们在学校一起继续课程的学生，我肯定他们会十分杰出的完成学业，同时我们会很好的照顾他们。
勇往直前 ！
John Kerney
校长
...and in Korean.
윈첸든 국제 학생 학부모님께.
최근 여러 학부모님들께서 최근 미국에서 일어난 SI (돼지 인플루엔자)에 관련된 사건들과 학생들이 집으로 안전하게 돌아갈 수 있느냐에 관한 고려 사항을 전해 주셨습니다.
우리는 이 곳 윈첸든에서 상황을 자세히 지켜보며 모든 교직원과 학생들에게 피해가 돌아가지 않도록 최선을 다하고 있습니다. 다행히도 미국에서는 인플루엔자의 영향이 상대적으로 작았으며 신종 바이러스 N1H1에 반응한 희생자는 지금까지 단 한 명인 것으로 나타났습니다. 이 감염자는 멕시코에서 일정을 마친 후 미국으로 돌아와 안타깝게도 짧은 생애를 마감한 어린 소년이었습니다. 이 경우를 제외하면 SI의 영향이 이종의 인플루엔자 (예: SARS 사스 감기) 비해 덜 심각한 것으로 나타났습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 학교측에서 통제할 수 없는 외부 사정이 나타나고 있습니다. 현재로서 우리의 가장 큰 우려는 감염이 아닌 학생들이 고국에 돌아갈 수 있을 것이냐에 관한 문제 입니다. 미국에서 국제 여행이 제한 될 가능성이 있기 때문이 때문입니다. 국제 여행이 현재처럼 자유로울 지 제한 될 지는 현재로서 저희도 장담을 할 수 없는 상황에 놓여져 있습니다.
이 때문에 학교에서는 국제 학생들이 집에 안전하게 돌아가 독립적으로 학교 공부를 하고 과제를 마쳐 학년을 마감할 수 있는 기회를 제공하기로 결정을 내렸습니다. 이 기회를 택하는 경우에는 학생들은 책임감을 가지고 공부를 해야 하며 과제 역시 이메일을 통해 반드시 제출해야 한다는 사실을 명심해야 합니다. 몇몇 학생들의 경우에는 컨퍼런스 (추가 공부시간)와 인터넷을 이용한 수업 역시 포함 사항입니다. 이 모든 과제는 학기말 성적에 포함되므로 굉장히 중요하다는 것을 잊지 말아주십시오. 이 기회는 예정된 학년을 마치는 데에 꼭 필요한 과정의 대안이라는 것을 이해해주시기 바랍니다. 윈첸든스쿨은 예정된 바와 같이 남은 4주 동안 학생들과 교직원의 건강과 안전을 최우선으로 한 환경 안에서 수업 역시 모두 진행 될 것입니다. 세계 건강 기구와 질병 통제 센터에서는 학교 휴업 또는 미국 국경선 폐쇄가 필요치 않다고 발표했습니다. 상황을 계속 지켜보며 상황 변화가 생길 경우 바로 학부모님께 연락 드리겠습니다.
가장 중요한 것은 학생들의 안전입니다. 그러므로 위에 말씀 드린 기회를 자녀분이 택하고자 할 때는 우리는 학부모님들과 직접 대화를 나눌 것이고 학생의 국제선 티켓 문서를 확인할 것입니다. 이 기회는 고국에 돌아가 부모님 또는 25세 이상의 친척과 함께 생활하는 경우에만 허락이 내려질 것입니다. 이 경우, 학부모님들께서는 저 (교장선생님) 또는 Mr. Harvey께 연락을 주셔야 하고 그 후Harvey 선생님께서 최종적으로 국제선 항공 티켓을 확인하실 것입니다. 떠나기 전에 학생들은 각 선생님과 만나 과제, 제출 시간 등을 반드시 확인해야만 합니다. 또한 이 학생들은 아카데믹 학장 Mrs. Blair를 만나 내년에 수강할 과목을 선택하고 지금까지 해왔던 대로 짐을 모두 꾸린 후 Mr. Harvey에게 확인 받은 후 떠날 수 있습니다. 학생들이 떠날 시 교직원들은 수업 중일 터라 공항으로 운송 수단이 제공될 수 있을 지는 현재 미지수 입니다. 최선을 다해 이 문제를 해결해 보도록 노력할 예정이지만 일찍 떠나는 학생들에게는 떠나기 전 운송수단 문제를 미리 생각해보는 것을 권합니다. 연락은 001-978-297-1223으로 전화를 주시거나 Mr. Harvey: eharvey@winchendon.org / Mrs. Blair: plabir@winchendon.org / Mr. Kerney jkerney@winchendon.org 로 이메일 보내주시면 바로 답장 드리겠습니다.
보건 환경상황이 상당히 나아지는 경우 학교에서 이 결정을 취소 할 수도 있다는 점을 숙지하여 주시기 바랍니다. 이러한 경우, 이 결정은 5월 15일까지만 유효합니다. 이 때문에 일찍 출발하기로 결정한 학생들은 5월 15일까지 교내에서 학기말고사를 마쳐야 합니다. 보건 환경이 심히 악화되는 경우엔 불가피하게 학년이 예정에 비해 일찍 끝날 수도 있다는 점 역시 기억해주시기 바랍니다.
많은 학생들이 학교에 남아 즐거운 학년 말을 모두 함께 마감할 수 있기를 바라지만 학생들의 안전 역시 빼놓을 수 없는 문제라는 것을 압니다. 모든 결정은 여러분, 부모님께 달려 있습니다.
학교 측에서 통제할 수 없는 이 문제로 예정에 없었던 대안 방법을 갑작스레 발표하게 되어 굉장히 유감입니다. 하지만 이 대안 방법도 역시 우리 학생들을 위한 최선의 선택이었습니다. 함께 알찬 한 해를 지낸 우리 학생들이 자랑스럽고 이들과 함께 할 수 있었음에 감사하고 있습니다. 곧 졸업생이 될 우리 12학년 학생들은 후배들을 도우며 학교를 이끌어 나갔습니다. 모든 12학년 학생들이 자랑스럽게 졸업하는 모습을 볼 수 있기를 희망하지만 불가피 일찍 돌아가기로 결정한 학생들도 있을 것입니다. 비록 예정과 다르게 학년 말을 마치더라도 지금까지 쌓아둔 노력과 지식이 이 학생들의 밝은 미래의 디딤돌이 될 거라 자신합니다. 학교에 남아 학년 말을 마치는 학생들은 좀더 알찬 마무리를 할 수 있을 것이며 우리 교직원들 또한 최선을 다해 학생들을 돕고 돌볼 것을 약속 드립니다.
Nulla vestigial restrosum (뒷 걸음질 없이 앞으로 나아가자.)
2009년 5월 4일
John Kerney 줜 컬니
Headmaster 윈첸든스쿨 교장
Friday, May 1, 2009
Being Prepared!
We are very focused on perpetuating a safe environment for all of the members of the Winchendon School community and have therefore been keeping close tabs on recent developments associated with the outbreak of the "Swine Flu", or H1N1. We have a crisis preparedness team that is meeting at least two times daily to track developments and update our own plans. We also have specific "Flu Plan" to cover the specifics of such a situation as an outbreak.
In our case, we focus on two possible scenarios or circumstances, and we are addressing both at this time.
The resources that we are monitoring include the following national sources as well as local and state agencies:
World Health Organization
Centers For Disease Control (CDC)
We are also keeping posted through various news sources including CNN, The New York Times, China Daily, and the BBC among others.
The following is a statement that we issued from Winchendon this morning:
Influenza / H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Precautions at The Winchendon School
The Winchendon School is committed to the health and safety of our entire community, so we have taken proactive steps to protect each of our residents. The Winchendon School Crisis Committee has met daily and discussed the current state of affairs from both local and global perspectives. We have educated our students on how to protect themselves. We have made hand sanitizer available to all students, distributed disinfectant wipes throughout the dorms, and posted notices in multiple languages throughout campus to promote hand washing and health precautions. We have cancelled school trips to public places and restricted unnecessary travel off campus. Certain school-sanctioned, supervised activities will continue as planned.
Recent reports confirm eight cases of the H1N1 influenza A virus in Massachusetts. Our medical staff has been monitoring our students’ health closely and has not detected any students with flu-like symptoms. Nevertheless, our medical staff is in close contact with national and state agencies, as well as the local hospital. We stand ready to identify and treat any potential cases of influenza on campus.
Our Crisis Committee is assessing, planning, and implementing the School’s response to the situation. We are following the advice of health officials and are doing all that we can to prevent infection. The safety of your children remains our first priority.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus health center at gharrington@winchendon.org, or at 978-297-1223 or the office of the Dean of Students.
We recommend that you reinforce the following precautions with your child:
First and most important, wash your hands with soap! Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Do not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
According to the CDC, symptoms for swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include some combination of the following:
Fever, greater than 100° F (38° C) Sore throat
Cough Stuffy nose
Chills Headache
Body aches Fatigue
To prevent the spread of H1N1 flu, the CDC suggests:
Avoid contact with ill persons, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and throw used tissues in a trashcan. After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
Summary:
We are continuing to consult and follow the advice of public health authorities and sharing developments with the independent school community through email and also on our website.
For more information about, please visit the websites listed below or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6088.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health website on influenza
http://www.mass.gov/dph/flu
Center for Disease Control (CDC) website on swine flu
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
Our Student Body President Hao Wen has also translated it into Chinese for us:
温臣顿中学流行性感冒/H1N1流感（猪流感）防范措施
温臣顿中学由始至终的将学生的健康以及安全放在首位，我们已经实施了积极的方案来保护学校片区。温臣顿中学成立了紧急预防小组并且每日商讨国际以及国内的安全局势，另外还有教导学生如何保护自己的身体健康。学校已经开始提供手部杀菌剂，发放宿舍杀菌纸巾，用几种语言在全校范围内粘贴了关于健康防范措施的宣传单。 我们同时严控并取消了一些公共场所的校外活动。
最新的报道显示马塞诸塞州有八个H1N1流行性感冒病例。我们的医护工作人员非常仔细的注意着学生的身体安全，目前尚未发现有疑似流感的症状。另外，本校医护人员随时和美国以及本州的卫生部门以及当地医院保持着联系。在校园内我们随时准备着去辨认以及治疗任何潜在的流感案例。
学校紧急预防小组正在评估，计划，以及更新学校对当前局势的回应。我们听从卫生官员的意见以及采取任何措施去预防传染。学生的安全永远是我们的前提。
如果您有任何的疑问，请与本校医护室联系，gharrington@winchendon.org, 978-297-1223,您同时也可以与学生处主任联系。
我们也希望您能帮助增加孩子的预防意识：
第一也是最重要的，用洗手液勤洗手！保持身体健康。保持睡眠，多运动，减少压力，多喝水，以及多吃健康的食物。不要接触可能粘有流感细菌的物体。避免与生病的患者有过近的接触。
根据疾病防治中心的资料，猪流感的症状与人体季节性流感相似，有如下症状：
高烧超过38度 喉咙疼
咳嗽 鼻子堵塞
发冷 头疼
身体酸痛 疲劳
为防止H1N1流感的传播，疾病防治中心建议：
防止接触病人，在咳嗽时遮掩鼻子，将用过的纸巾扔到垃圾桶。在咳嗽以及清理鼻涕后，要用洗手液洗手或者喷杀菌剂。
总结：
我们将继续商讨、跟随公共健康官员的意见以及与周边学校交换信息。
如果您需要更多的信息，请游览以下的网站或者与马塞诸塞州卫生部流行病免疫科联系， 617-983-6088.
马塞诸塞州卫生部关于流行性感冒的网页
http://www.mass.gov/dph/flu
疾病防治中心关于猪流感的网页
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
We will post additional updates as the situation warrants. Until then, we are busy ensuring that all at Winchendon are safe.
In our case, we focus on two possible scenarios or circumstances, and we are addressing both at this time.
- On one hand, we need to protect the community from possible infection and be prepared should that happen. We are 1)educating all in the community on best practices for prevention, 2)ensuring that we are prepared for a quarantine situation, 3)stockpiling extra resources, and 4)looking to minimize risk of infection through unnecessary travel or exposure in confined spaces. For instance, this weekend we are limiting student travel to a few, supervised athletic events and tryouts, and allowing travel for college visits/selection. We understand that this will be unpopular for some and inconvenient for others but need to put the safety of the entire community first.
- The second focus is to ensure that our students have the chance to travel home if necessary before the possible closure of international borders or cessation of flights. This is very hard to predict, but we are monitoring the situation closely and will move quickly if we thing that the closure of borders becomes a high risk.
The resources that we are monitoring include the following national sources as well as local and state agencies:
World Health Organization
Centers For Disease Control (CDC)
We are also keeping posted through various news sources including CNN, The New York Times, China Daily, and the BBC among others.
The following is a statement that we issued from Winchendon this morning:
Influenza / H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Precautions at The Winchendon School
The Winchendon School is committed to the health and safety of our entire community, so we have taken proactive steps to protect each of our residents. The Winchendon School Crisis Committee has met daily and discussed the current state of affairs from both local and global perspectives. We have educated our students on how to protect themselves. We have made hand sanitizer available to all students, distributed disinfectant wipes throughout the dorms, and posted notices in multiple languages throughout campus to promote hand washing and health precautions. We have cancelled school trips to public places and restricted unnecessary travel off campus. Certain school-sanctioned, supervised activities will continue as planned.
Recent reports confirm eight cases of the H1N1 influenza A virus in Massachusetts. Our medical staff has been monitoring our students’ health closely and has not detected any students with flu-like symptoms. Nevertheless, our medical staff is in close contact with national and state agencies, as well as the local hospital. We stand ready to identify and treat any potential cases of influenza on campus.
Our Crisis Committee is assessing, planning, and implementing the School’s response to the situation. We are following the advice of health officials and are doing all that we can to prevent infection. The safety of your children remains our first priority.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus health center at gharrington@winchendon.org, or at 978-297-1223 or the office of the Dean of Students.
We recommend that you reinforce the following precautions with your child:
First and most important, wash your hands with soap! Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Do not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
According to the CDC, symptoms for swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include some combination of the following:
Fever, greater than 100° F (38° C) Sore throat
Cough Stuffy nose
Chills Headache
Body aches Fatigue
To prevent the spread of H1N1 flu, the CDC suggests:
Avoid contact with ill persons, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and throw used tissues in a trashcan. After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
Summary:
We are continuing to consult and follow the advice of public health authorities and sharing developments with the independent school community through email and also on our website.
For more information about, please visit the websites listed below or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6088.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health website on influenza
http://www.mass.gov/dph/flu
Center for Disease Control (CDC) website on swine flu
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
Our Student Body President Hao Wen has also translated it into Chinese for us:
温臣顿中学流行性感冒/H1N1流感（猪流感）防范措施
温臣顿中学由始至终的将学生的健康以及安全放在首位，我们已经实施了积极的方案来保护学校片区。温臣顿中学成立了紧急预防小组并且每日商讨国际以及国内的安全局势，另外还有教导学生如何保护自己的身体健康。学校已经开始提供手部杀菌剂，发放宿舍杀菌纸巾，用几种语言在全校范围内粘贴了关于健康防范措施的宣传单。 我们同时严控并取消了一些公共场所的校外活动。
最新的报道显示马塞诸塞州有八个H1N1流行性感冒病例。我们的医护工作人员非常仔细的注意着学生的身体安全，目前尚未发现有疑似流感的症状。另外，本校医护人员随时和美国以及本州的卫生部门以及当地医院保持着联系。在校园内我们随时准备着去辨认以及治疗任何潜在的流感案例。
学校紧急预防小组正在评估，计划，以及更新学校对当前局势的回应。我们听从卫生官员的意见以及采取任何措施去预防传染。学生的安全永远是我们的前提。
如果您有任何的疑问，请与本校医护室联系，gharrington@winchendon.org, 978-297-1223,您同时也可以与学生处主任联系。
我们也希望您能帮助增加孩子的预防意识：
第一也是最重要的，用洗手液勤洗手！保持身体健康。保持睡眠，多运动，减少压力，多喝水，以及多吃健康的食物。不要接触可能粘有流感细菌的物体。避免与生病的患者有过近的接触。
根据疾病防治中心的资料，猪流感的症状与人体季节性流感相似，有如下症状：
高烧超过38度 喉咙疼
咳嗽 鼻子堵塞
发冷 头疼
身体酸痛 疲劳
为防止H1N1流感的传播，疾病防治中心建议：
防止接触病人，在咳嗽时遮掩鼻子，将用过的纸巾扔到垃圾桶。在咳嗽以及清理鼻涕后，要用洗手液洗手或者喷杀菌剂。
总结：
我们将继续商讨、跟随公共健康官员的意见以及与周边学校交换信息。
如果您需要更多的信息，请游览以下的网站或者与马塞诸塞州卫生部流行病免疫科联系， 617-983-6088.
马塞诸塞州卫生部关于流行性感冒的网页
http://www.mass.gov/dph/flu
疾病防治中心关于猪流感的网页
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
We will post additional updates as the situation warrants. Until then, we are busy ensuring that all at Winchendon are safe.
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