Yesterday was MELMAC Day. I know the name may be confusing, but we have been fortunate to have a grant awarded through the MELMAC Foundation that can be used for post secondary planning with all of our students. To that end, our entire school was engaged in activities that support post-secondary experiences. I want to congratulate all of the advisors and our students for a successful MELMAC Day. There is no question that if not for the advisors' hard work in organizing and planning a beneficial experience for their advisees that this day could have gone very differently. Many positive comments came from students this a.m. as I walked the halls.

The Senior class conducted a service day to the school since most of them have completed their college plans, and community service seemed a useful time for students to "give back" to their school community. Because of the hard work of the senior class and their advisors, the school underwent a spring cleaning and beautification effort. We now have a cleansed stage, Room 2, library back room, an organized book table where students can grab free reading materials, a newly painted Room 111, a reorganized Computer Lab area, an unbelievable jump pit, and front landscaping that has given the area a facelift. Each advisor and their "crew" spent hours helping to improve areas of the building and grounds. In addition the kids had a breakfast and a great cookout that seniors and Mr. Flanagan organized , and only 2 students were absent! The senior advisors went above and beyond, and their relationships with their advisees got the seniors here, ready to work and have fun.

The Junior class went to multiple colleges in the Boston area. Tours of Suffolk, Northeastern, Leslie, Wentworth, and Emerson Colleges exposed students to the college environment. Though I know that a few students on the Junior trip struggled, one story epitomizes the need to get these kids exposed to new environments. I was listening to a junior student describe Quincy Market to a senior. He was marveling at the scope of the building and its impressive content, and was awestruck about Boston. This was his first experience there, and he was impressed. Several of the college tours went fabulously with students, and I know many positive stories exist that show how beneficial this trip was for so many juniors. I hope we don't focus on the negative or disengaged few, but rather focus on what a well-planned and exciting trip this was for most of the juniors, and troubleshoot any issues that arose.

The sophomore class explored Southern New Hampshire College and others in the southern part of the state. Sue Perkins reports the following:

• I just wanted to touch base and let you know what an awesome trip the sophomores took today and what an awesome group of students and teachers we had on this trip. Each school's presentation was well done and geared to our kids. They received lots of goodies and got to see two very different type college experiences. Even the cake at SNHU was decorated in WHS red and black. They took the time to research our school colors!
• The kids were very well behaved and extremely appropriate. They made us proud and it was a pleasure to spend the day with them. I also want to say how terrific it was to be with this group of teachers. All of them got out of bed early to go on this trip and spent way longer than a school day with students and all made it clear that they enjoyed the day and didn't resent the extra time and effort. WHS teachers are the BEST!!! We had a great day!

The freshman class did a triad tour. 3 separate groups were formed of 13 students each and they rotated through a tour of Bath Iron Works, Southern Maine Community College, and Bath Regional Career and Technical Center (Bath Vocational). As for the freshmen, the behavior was exceptional, the tour of BIW was very impressive, the Vocational Center could not have been more welcoming, and kids got to experience college opportunities as USM and SMCC that opened their eyes to possibilities. In addition, the students toured the house that the carpentry program is building on Congress Street in Bath. The students are at an age when taking all of this is may seem overwhelming, but the exposure to choices is just the beginning of their searches for direction.

What this says to me is that this effort was overwhelmingly a positive one. What I need to say again and again to all who will listen is that we have the best faculty, bar none, whose commitment to students extends beyond the content classroom and into their lives. What a wonderful validation of all you are and all you do.

Thanks to all staff and students who extended themselves to go above and beyond yesterday to create awesome opportunities for students!

It's Been a Long Time--- January 2010

I have been quite negligent with my blog, and for that I give my apologies. December and January whizzed by, no excuses, but it is not too late to give you an update and mention some needs that I have in regards to parent communication.

First, we are ending our first semester with the posting of grades, now that our exams are finished. A snow day and an early release for snow, as well as the workshop day on Friday have extended the time for all projects, research papers, and exam correction, as well as grade posting so report cards should be out by the end of next week. Of course, parents can check grades on the computer, a fact that brings me to my next point concerning how we get parents into the school.

I completely understand that parents are busier than ever, and that PowerSchool helps them to access their student's grades in a way that may seem to negate the need for parent/teacher contact via phone or personal contact. However, I find that our Student Assistance Team often processes students who might have benefited from more parent/teacher communication before a grade is failing of a crisis occurs. I also know that perhaps due to PowerSchool, that many parents choose not to attend the Parent Teacher Conferences that we schedule in the fall and in the spring. Attendance has dropped dramatically at these events, and teachers and I find ourselves frustrated that we don't get to see more parents come in. The one-to-one contact seems very crucial to us, as often students to not communicate the exact reasons for poor grades or for failure and having parents talk directly to teachers insures clearer communication. Perhaps, many parents are emailing teachers with concerns, and that is the reason that attendance at these scheduled conferences is waning.

My question is, "Is there a better type of conference that would attract more parents in?" Some schools have tried a student-led conference in which the student discusses his/her grades with the parent and teacher present, talks about his/her own strengths and weaknesses and then sets goals with their parents and teacher present. We have tried this before, and did get better attendance, but surveyed parents and found that many were not supportive of the change. I would love to have suggestions as to what would work better for all of our parents. We have conferences scheduled for March 25, and we would love to make a format that would better address what parents want. For example, I would love for that night to include a presentation to parents about our major goal in our advisory and in our school that is to have all students form a plan for post-secondary training or college. Most parents have little idea about all of the options we have in our school to support their students in making a plan for after high school.

Please post on this blog with any ideas. I will be putting a link to a short on-line survey in the newsletter, on this blog, and via email to see if I can get your feedback about needed changes. There will be a link to the newsletter on this blog next week.

I will share a few news items to update you on what has been happening and what is to come for big events.

1. We are nearing the end of basketball, cheering, and swimming season. We have a potential shot at the tournaments with our boys' team, they are 9th place as of today, but we have the potential to move up in the ranks with two very important games this week.

2. Our swim team will compete in states during February break with or relay team and some individual competitors.

3. Our Cheerleading Team is preparing to become a competition cheerleading team next year and has attended many trainings to work toward that goal.

4. Next week is Winter Carnival week with a full day of activities scheduled for Friday, February 12th with school vacation following from February 13th-22.

5. We have 20 RSU 8th graders who are potential students considering Wiscasset High School on February 10, 2010. They will visit, shadow, eat lunch with our students, and ask questions to help them with their choice for high school next year.

6. Students are scheduling classes for next year beginning this week, so please check for you student's sign up sheet to see what they are planning.

7. Parent-Teacher Conferences happen in March, and your feedback is solicited, as stated in the earlier part of this blog.

Reminders - November is a Busy Month

Reminders: Permission forms for the H1N1 influenza vaccine for Wiscaset High School are due tomorrow, November 10th. Students will not be vaccinated on November 20th without them. It is also not too late to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences with your student's teachers, tomorrow November 10th from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wiscasset High School. A personal connection can be really helpful to understand your student's strengths and weaknesses. Just call Wiscasset High School's office at 882-7722, and Mrs. Schmal will schedule you for conferences. We have an early release at 11:30, tomorrow, November 10th, and no school for Veteran's Day on Wednesday, November 11th as well as the day before Thanksgiving, November 25th. The Wiscasset High School Variety Show will be this Thursday night, November 12th, at 7:00 p.m. and our fall play is next Friday and Saturday night, November 19th and 20th, at 7:00 p.m. Don't forget that the Middle School is sponsoring the Harlem Rockets at the Wiscasset High School Gym on Monday, November 16th at 6:30. This is a fundraiser for the Middle School, so all the public is invited to attend. These updates will be on my blog on the website. Thank you.

Wiscasset High School has had numerous students out with flu-like symptoms. Our percentage on Monday was 34%, yesterday, 28% and today Wednesday, October 28th, 19%, so we are seeing a decline. We still have students at home with sickness, so parents need to continue to take precautions. Keep sick students home, watch for flu like symptoms, and check my blog on the WHS web page, "The Principal of It" for help in discerning this difference between flu and cold.
Swine Flu Update - 10-28-09
We do have H1N1 cases confirmed. That number totals 5, but many doctor's offices refuse to test, or do not want sick students coming in to their offices, so we have no idea if other cases have gone untested. Regardless, sick students should be at home until a 24 hour period has elapsed from the last symptoms.

Finally, we know parents are concerned about students missing class work. The quarter will end on Friday, October 30th, but ample time for returning sick students will be given so that they can get a final grade. In the meantime, incompletes will be given and a reasonable amount of time will be provided for students to get 1st quarter work in. Report cards will be issued later, and Parent Teacher conferences will still happen on November 10th from 12:00 to 8:00 on this early release day. You will be able to call to make appointments for conferences after November 2nd to Shelley Schmal at 882-7722.

Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms
Symptom Cold H1N1 Flu
Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.


Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W). The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know.

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official
communications)
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

A New Year Has Begun

We are less than one month into school, and already the year is zipping by. We have a wonderful crop of new freshmen and some new students from other RSU towns, and these additions have made our school even stronger. One element that defines Wiscasset High School is the personalization that comes with a small high school. Our new students and two long-term substitutes were treated to a Welcome Pizza Lunch hosted the Guidance Department, and attended by several current seniors who were able to share their interests and passions at Wiscasset High School. Not only the students and new teachers attended, but also, Greg Potter, our new RSU superintendent. Mr. Potter welcomed the student and commiserated a bit on the challenges and opportunities that arise in making a transition to a new environment.

Activity is a vital part of the life of the school and in that spirit, many events have jump started our initiatives for student engagement in the community. We had a Coastal Clean-up for the freshman class that is sponsored each year to involve students in environmental responsibility, We have had a Maine Farm Week in which local farmers provided food for the cafeteria, including produce from one of our own teacher's farm; we have students already engaged in their community service requirement; and Student Council is planning multiple events to celebrate Homecoming from October 15-17.

Sports are in full swing, and the Boosters Club is back, reestablishing refreshments at the Snack Shack during games and seeking new membership. Music has a full plate of events, and those will be highlighted in the newsletter.

Academically, teachers are examining test scores for students so that sophomore and junior advisees can be prepared for the SAT's taking place on October 14th. Our Advisor/Advisee system is still progressing with the MELMAC Grant that establishes multiple activities to get students involved in planning for their post-secondary education/training. Progress Notes go home on October 2nd, with the hope that parents will review what their students are doing in class, and working with their students to optimize their academic performance. We will be announcing our Open House night soon, once all the details are worked out.

The new RSU has provided a wonderful chance for parents to have a more reliable notification system for many aspects of school information from storm closings in the winter, to notices of major events that parents will not want to miss. The RSU budget passed at the validation hearing on September 19th, and now we need parents and community members to vote to support our schools in the secret ballot referendum in your local town on September 29th .

You have already heard about and seen the changing landscape of the flu shots that will eventually happened. Information changes rapidly so staying up to dat on what is happening both at the state, and the local level will be imperative as we go into flu season.

I could go on and on, but I would like for the newsletter to capture more of what is happening across the school, and as usual, I will create a link here to that newsletter when it is published. Welcome back, parents and students of Wiscasset High School!

Swine Flu Update

There are confirmed cases of H1N1 flu "Swine Flu" in Maine. We are sending home pamphlets with all Primary and Middle School students today. High School parents and students can also view updated information at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/swine-flu-2009.shtml
In the event of a confirmed case of H1N1 flu in our schools, the schools will be closed for seven days by the Center for Disease Control. Announcements for this will be made using the usual emergency closing sources.

According to current information, any forced closure of school will not result in having to make up the missed days, but that is the current information. Please do not send a student to school if the student is symptomatic with those signs that are up on the CDC site.

News Flash

The Wiscasset High School Entry, "Dinner with the MacGuffins," under the direction of Marsha Emery won first place in the Regional Class B Competition at Freeport High School on Saturday night. They will advance to States on the weekend of March 20th. Details will follow. Student participants are: Brian Campbell, Lauren Emery, Yvette Alexandrou, Morgan Robson, Eden Walsh, James Johnson, Lincoln Hull, Shane Cushing, and Alex Slack. Richard Overlock was a key person in the event, supporting Marsha with the set, lights, and transporting of equipment. Mrs. Hutchinson also supported the cast at the event. The cast won an award for Set Design and for Ensemble performance. Brian Campbell and Shane Cushing were named to the All Festival Cast. Thank you to all staff who attended Friday night's performance. We are very proud of Marsha and her crew! Good luck to them at the State competition. Wiscasset Drama is truly still alive and as good as ever!