An opportunity to socialize with other parents while learning about the Parents Association, meeting Laurie Lambert, and the Assistant Heads of School.
New England Boarding School Community
Community In Action Day
This day serves as a chance for students in our IL classes (student-led Impact Learning classes assigned by grade level) to go out and make a change, whether big or small.
Elliot Harvey Mountain Day
On September 14th at the base of Mount Monadnock, join Team Harvey as The Winchendon School students, faculty, staff, and invited guests climb Mount Monadnock in honor and support of long-time teacher and hiker, Elliot Harvey.
The consummate outdoors adventurist, Mr. Harvey has led countless students on hikes up Monadnock and on portions of the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail through ColLABs. This year, as he begins his 31st year teaching at The Winchendon School, we’re recognizing him by naming Mountain Day in his honor.
If you follow Mr. Harvey on Facebook, you know he’s on a tough climb himself to beat cancer. Ever the resilient teacher, Mr. Harvey (as he is still affectionately referred to by our alumni) tells of his battle, wins, and losses publicly on Facebook. And despite this Mt. Everest of a challenge, he continues to be the consummate teacher, putting his students, colleagues, and the School first.
JOINING US? We welcome all vaccinated alumni in the area to climb with us. Meet us at 169 Poole Rd, Jaffrey, NH, and join us at the Pavillion.
Due to COVID 19 protocol, you are required to reserve a parking place per NH State Park rules. We’ve set aside a limited number of spaces for our alumni. Please RSVP to us here: RSVP.
CAN’T JOIN US? Please send us your good wishes, and we’ll pass them on to Mr. Harvey and his family. Send your good wishes to: alumni@winchendon.org
Traditions Build Community: A Community Matters Story
Saying “Goodbye” to our Class of 2018
At The Winchendon School, we build community as we share school events marking our coming and goings. Gathering together for a formal, all community dinner before we depart for major vacations is one example. Baccalaureate, senior dinner, and graduation are other examples which all help us transition and honor our graduating class.
This last week, the last week seniors are on campus, is filled with rituals. With practicing the graduation ceremony comes the realization time with friends and faculty is ending and the dreams for the next chapter are upon us. Over these past few weeks, we’ve spent time with our seniors reflecting on the young teen they were when they first stepped onto campus and the young adult they are now as they leave.
A common theme we’ve heard in these reflections is how TWS has helped our students discover themselves and allowed them to challenge themselves, academically, socially, and athletically. Here, they’ve told us, it’s safe to “lean into a challenge.”
“If I could go back and give the freshman me advice, I would tell myself to try everything.”
This week is when we recognize and embrace the Class of 2018. We begin as a community with a baccalaureate. In good weather, baccalaureate is held at the Cathedral of the Pines, an outdoor meeting space with a panoramic view of Mount Monadnock. After the ceremony, the School celebrates with a steak and lobster dinner.
The next evening, as families arrive to campus, we have an evening for our graduating class filled with remembrance and celebration for all members of the senior class.
Graduation day (Sunday, May 20), as always, is filled with promise, speeches, hugs, and many teary eyes. We’ll see you there (tissues in hand)!
Students Show Empathy at the Fall Blood Drive
When the Red Cross called our Service Learning Director Miranda Jennings about having a Fall Blood Drive in late October, Miranda knew right away who to call on. She asked Faculty Member Sarah Brandwood to lead it. With Sarah’s outgoing positive attitude and contagious laugh, Sarah quickly builds enthusiasm for any activity that she is involved in. Sarah quickly began assembling her team to help pull it together. Faculty member Hannah Kang, and students Teagan M. ‘20, Rebecca L. ‘19 and Betty Z. ‘19, rounded out the volunteers that greeted donors, conducted patient intakes, processed paperwork, and handed out snacks to donors for multiple hours on multiple days.
Giving blood saves 4.5 million lives a year in the United States alone. Unfortunately, only 38% of the US population is eligible to give blood, and only 10% of that eligible population donates blood making it very important for as many eligible donors as possible to donate. Every two seconds someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. It is possible to save three lives with one donation as each pint is separated into three primary components cells, plasma, and platelets. Donated blood most often help people involved in car accidents, organ transplants, trauma patients, bone marrow transplants, and burn victims.
When I spoke to Rebecca Levine and asked her what trait from the “Great 8” WE C2AR3E2: Collaborative, Courageous, Adaptable, Resourceful, Responsible, Empathetic, Ethical, personifies the blood drive best, and she quickly countered with “Empathy.” She said, “We are all aware of the deadly Hurricanes that ripped through Houston and islands in the Caribbean like Puerto Rico, and we as students understand that people are hurting and need our help. We wanted to do our part and lend a hand to those in need.”
The following week at Community Meeting the entire school gave Rebecca, Ms. Brandwood and the rest of the blood drive crew a big hand with a big loud round of applause in appreciation for their efforts as they surpassed the goal that the Red Cross had given them. This is the kind of spirit that our Service Learning program generates on a daily basis at The Winchendon School that we all are so proud to belong to!
