The administration, faculty, and staff of the entire Hanover Public School District have been busy implementing a new philosophy towards the ominous threat of an active school shooter. In collaboration with the Hanover Police Department, new ALICE security training protocols are going to implemented. The ALICE program is specifically geared towards the mitigation of the threat of a school shooter.

ALICE is actually an acronym which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. Simply put, those are the five points of any effective response to the threat of an active shooter. Alert means that all members of the school community should be lookout for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. Lockdown is based on the traditional plan of hiding and staying put, but with a few changes detailed below. Inform means that communication in all mediums and between all people will be emphasized. Counter is your last resort option of physically evading or resisting an armed gunman. Evacuate is the idea that if it is safe to do so that you should leave the building and get as far away from the grounds as humanly possible. According to Mr. Galligan, assistant principal of HHS, that would mean at least West Ave if not farther. It is better if the school has to find you if you survive as opposed to staying in the building at the risk of survival. In order of preference, the first option is to Evacuate, the second would be to Lockdown, and the third would be to physically counter the attack.

Mr. Galligan is the ALICE coordinator for the high school. He explained to me the changes that will occur from a student’s point of view. Most importantly, the traditional lockdown that we have all become accustomed to will only be used if there is a threat outside the building. If the threat is inside the building, the traditional lockdown will cease to exist. Under the current way of doing things, during a traditional lockdown, students and staff are easy targets for an armed gunman. Under the ALICE plan, if students and teachers feel it’s safer to stay in their rooms than try to escape, they would be expected to barricade themselves in the classroom using desks and chairs. Another important change is that cell phones and other communication technology will be constantly used in order to keep everyone up to date. If at all possible, the location of an attacker will be announced live on the school’s PA system. Gone are the days of “tricking” people out of their classrooms. As a matter of fact, drills using the new protocols will be announced in advance and the element of surprise will be mitigated as much as possible.

More information will be coming directly from Mr. Galligan during individual grade level assemblies next Monday, October 27. In addition to words from administration, a student-produced video about the new changes will be shown. Some time in early November the entire school will practice new ALICE protocols during class. Changes in protocols are coming to Hanover and they will really be for the best of everyone.

See below for YouTube video made by Mr. Patch’s video production class that summarizes the key aspects of the ALICE philosophy.

In just the past few months, the word “Ebola” has gone from naming a disease to inflicting fear in the hearts of millions across the country and worldwide. For the most part, I have tried to ignore the rumors in the halls and only panic in the unlikely event that I actually contracted the oh-so-deadly Ebola. However, when I began hearing tales of Ebola infecting inhabitants of Braintree and other surrounding towns, likely to reach Hanover by the end of the month, or claims that casualties of the disease were coming back to life in order to commence the zombie apocalypse, I’d had enough. I sat down with my laptop and a copy of Time Magazine and decided to get to the bottom of the enigmatic Ebola. Is the mass hysteria justified or just the media capitalizing on a serious but foreign disease? Will Ebola wipe out humanity or just be the punchline of a joke two years from now?

I began with the basics. What even is Ebola?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains.” There are five strains of this disease, all stemming from the Flaviviridae family, but only four of the strains are known to cause illness in humans and primates including chimps and gorillas. Each Ebola virus originated in Africa, and is mostly hosted by bats indigenous specifically to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, sore throat and intense muscle weakness. If you have any of the aforementioned conditions, ask yourself this: have you visited or shared bodily fluids with someone who visited West Africa in the past 21 days? If not, then (surprise!) your headache is probably just a headache. If you answered yes, than be on the lookout for diarrhea, vomiting, a rash, stomach pain impaired kidney, and liver function, and possible bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose or mouth. If this begins to happen, you’re pretty much a goner because Ebola is deadly in 50-90 percent of cases. The good news? If you are living in Hanover, Mass., Ebola is very unlikely to be your cause of death.

How long has Ebola been a problem?
Contrary to common belief, Ebola didn’t begin its murderous rampage in 2014. In fact, the first recorded case of this disease was in 1976 in an African hospital, where contaminated needles led to the deaths of 280 people. Every year since then, at least one person has contracted Ebola in Africa, although not all necessarily died, and in 2007 the number was as high as 187. So, Ebola is by no means a new disease,but  we Americans have just begun to care now that it has reached our shores.

That begs the question, how did Ebola get to America in the first place?
Thomas Eric Duncan was the first case diagnosed in the US, and when he passed away on October 8, he became the first to die in the country. Duncan was Liberian, and returned from his country to visit his former girlfriend and their son in Texas. A female health worker contracted the disease while treating Duncan as well, and at least three American aid workers in West Africa contracted Ebola abroad and have returned to recover. Duncan was able to pass the Ebola screening at the airport and unknowingly transport the lethal disease into the country because unless the patient is showing symptoms, Ebola is nearly impossible to identify. The passengers on the plane with Duncan are cleared of having the disease, but Duncan’s family members and especially five children he had contact with are being closely monitored for signs.

How serious really is this disease? How many people are currently diagnosed with Ebola in America, and how many have died from it?
Though there have been outbreaks of Ebola in the past, this is by far the deadliest. The 8,000 cases in West Africa, primarily in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, have resulted in over 4,000 deaths. People hear this number and ready their sterile plastic suits, but let’s take a moment to remember, this statistic applies to Africa, which has a very different level of sanitation and health care than where we live in America. To put it in perspective, here in the US the death toll of this epidemic is a grand total of 1.

But, you argue, Ebola could still spread! If it does, is there any known cure?
At the moment, there is no vaccine or medicine to combat Ebola. Experimental vaccines and treatments for Ebola are under development, but they have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness. According to the CDC, the main approach to treating Ebola right now is providing intravenous fluids (IV)and balancing electrolytes (body salts), maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure, and treating other infections if they occur. Fear not, scientists in the US and Canada are rushing to develop a solution to this national problem, and Time magazine stated “…CDC leaders meet with representatives of the State Department and USAID to size up the progress-or lack thereof- and and plot their next moves.” So, while Ebola continues to be an issue, it is being handled by some of the countries’ best and brightest on a daily basis.

Ok, great, this information is interesting and all, but how likely am I to actually get Ebola?
Right now in the United States, you are about as likely to die of Ebola as you are to be struck by lightning standing upside down. That is, you probably won’t. We posses the capabilities to isolate the disease and prevent it from spreading. America’s health care workers are on high alert, and now that people know what to look for they can be treated in a sanitary environment before the virus becomes too serious. CDC director Thomas Frieden stated, “There is no doubt in my mind that we will stop it here.” America has everything it needs to fight Ebola, protocols in place, enough medical supplies and hospital beds, adequate isolation units. In short, we shouldn’t be worried for our own safety or the coming zombie apocalypse, but the very real threat of Ebola that ill-equipped West Africa is currently facing.

The next State Election is November 4th, which is a little less than a month away! It’s especially important this year for a few reasons. First, it is an early release day which is always a welcome treat during the school year. More importantly, however, is the fact that it is the election for governor of Massachusetts. The Governor has wide ranging responsibility for many aspects of day to day government in the State. Your vote can really make an impact in your own personal life. All adults (and for that matter high school students age 18 and over) have the opportunity to vote and they are highly encouraged to do so.

That being said, you have to register in order to vote. The deadline for registration for the election this November would be next Wednesday October 15th. In order to register to vote you just have to show up to Town Hall to complete a simple form. On the 15th Town Hall will be open from 8 am to 8 pm in order to facilitate the registration process. You can get the form either at Town Hall or even in the main office right here at HHS.

Any questions regarding voting procedures can be directed to Town Clerk Cathy Harder-Bernier at (781) 826-5000 x1079 or by e-mail at Catherine.harderbernier@hanover-ma.gov.

Movie Riffing Club is one of the many new student run clubs to grace the halls of Hanover High School this year. It meets Thursdays right after school in Rm. 222 and it is run by Junior Linnea Martin. At first, the concept might seem weird. Is a club dedicated to watching bad movies really a thing? I personally try to avoid bad movies and you probably do too. With that said, I can assure that this club is not as bad as the movies they watch. In fact, they make bad movies somewhat bearable.

Movie Riffing, for those like me who are uninitiated, is the art of sarcastically commentating on the quality of a movie. It was made popular by the long-running television series “Mystery Science Theater,” whose writers now run two different groups which riff on old sci fi as well as modern movies. Their work can be found at RiffTrax.com and CinematicTitanic.com, where they often re-release really bad movies with riffing commentary overlaid. As can be imagined, these “riffs” can be quite hilarious. The groups’ live shows are often broadcast in local theaters such as Showcase Cinema de Lux in Randolph. They have turned snarky commentary into an art form.

The HHS Club wants to do the same. Right now, the club is in its nascent stages of development and I strongly encourage anyone who is free on Thursdays to check it out. If you like movies, or you like making fun of bad movies, this club could be for you.

At approximately 7:00 am on Sunday, October 5, members of Hanover High’s student body departed for Boston on the T-train at Braintree. You might ask, what for? They were heading to the Breast Cancer walk that has been attended annually in recent years by students from student council, community service groups, and various sports team. The six mile walk spanned across Boston, and the day was altogether beautiful being sunny, with a mostly clear sky, and crisp for a walk, with a bit of wind. Prior to the walk, those involved sold t-shirts, sunglasses, bracelets, and accepted donations. Senior Lauren Murray, representing Hanover’s field hockey team and an avid member of student council, organized the walk and served as the leader.

She too, thought it was a fabulous day. “The breast cancer walk is becoming a bigger and bigger success every year,” she said. “The past two years I have run the walk and it surprised me every time I walked into the Braintree T-station to see a huge crowd, decked out in pink, ready to walk for a great cause. It reminds me how spirited Hanover is and how our student body is willing to make a change. I love this school, and the Breast Cancer walk is an example of love.”

“The walk was so much fun, and was really a great day as a whole,” said junior Cassie Maver. Another junior, Ally Knight, said, “The walk was great! Getting your friends to participate makes it awesome and community service is always great to get into and participate! I really enjoyed myself.”

Hanover High constantly has community service opportunities, so keep your eyes peeled, and make sure you participate in the Breast Cancer walk in October ’15, and even the Walk for Hunger, coming in May!

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Newspaper staff attended the home football game against Scituate on October 3rd in order to promote The Indian for the upcoming school year. We had a cornhole game along with small frisbee and pen giveaways.  If you followed us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram), you were entered in a drawing for a sports pass to all home Hanover High School sports games this year. Junior Emily Hennessy won the drawing.

We also took pictures with the promise of posting them on this website. If you have any pictures taken at our stand, please send them to hhsindian@hanoverstudents.org and they will be added  to the gallery below.

Thanks for your readership and support with our first edition published today!

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Check out our table at the game tonight! #BehindTheScenes #football pic.twitter.com/TiCrW82b70

— The HHS Indian (@HHSIndian) October 3, 2014

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What is a rotary club, you may ask? And why have you never heard of one before? Well the fact is, Rotary Clubs exist all over the world. Over 1.2 million people internationally participate in Rotary Clubs, and they label themselves as community leaders who strive to create positive and long-lasting change both in their respective communities and around the world.

Hanover prides itself on being part of the Tri Town Rotary Club along with Norwell and Pembroke, but many people, especially students here at Hanover High, have never heard of the club. Rotary Clubs aren’t always front and center on the town’s radar; members primarily work behind the scenes at doing good and bringing service to the community. Their motto, “service above self,” really does ring true in their actions both displayed in town fundraisers and also international projects.The Tri Town Rotary Club participates in many local projects, fundraising for different charities, and also partners with other clubs around the globe to aid them in achieving a goal or helping an important cause. The executives of the Rotary Club have been attempting to begin a Junior Rotary Club within Hanover High for years, but only now has it begun to take off.

The Rotary Club members, along with many of Hanover’s eager students, are incredibly excited to begin their work as official Rotary Club members.The Rotary Interact Club, Hanover High’s Junior Rotary Club division, will help out at these fundraising projects, lending hands at events and even creating their own fundraising and community service project ideas. Mike Meads, one of the most dedicated student Rotary Club supporters, says, “The Rotary Interact Club is going to be really fun and provide great opportunities for students like us looking to make a difference. I’m really glad that we get the chance to participate!”

Mrs. Maura Aborn, a Hanover High Teacher who helped institute the Rotary Interact Club in the school, said, “I am very excited that we are initiating the interact club at Hanover High School… I think that kids here at school would really benefit not only from helping out in the community, but also from some of the connections they will be able to make with businesses in the community, so I think it’s going to be great!”

One of the many benefits of the Rotary Club is the constant stream of community service opportunities. Lately, Hanover High School has begun placing a great importance on community service; the school board recently passed a policy where every student must complete 10 hours of community service per year in order to fulfill graduation requirements, adding up to a total 40 by the end of senior year. Some students struggle when attempting to find community service opportunities, but through HHS’ Rotary Club, community service opportunities will come easily. Students are encouraged to join the club to aid them in finding ways to help out in the community and in communities around the world.

The Junior Rotary Interact Club meets Mondays after school in Room 317, and is advised by the Middle School’s Laura Breault. New members are always welcome, and the club looks forward to making Hanover and its surrounding communities a better place for all.

The Band has undergone many changes in the past year. First and foremost, Mr. Harden is the Band’s new director. He was hired in early July so that the Band would be able to get going in time for summer Band Camp. Before coming to Hanover, Mr. Harden was the Music Department Head at Rockland High School and directed their high school and middle school bands.

Their first major event of the year was Band Camp, which took place August 18-22 at Camp Wind in the Pines in Plymouth. During Band Camp, the Band begins the process of learning the halftime show that they perform during every home football game. This year, the show is based on songs by Earth, Wind, and Fire. The opener is “In The Stone,” the ballad is “After the Love is Gone,” and the closer is a mashup of “Getaway” and “September.” The Band has been working diligently on their show and will be ready to perform for the first home football game on October 3rd. You won’t want to miss it.

At the same time, the Band has been out performing in some new gigs. The Band performed the National Anthem at the varsity boys soccer game against Middleboro on September 9. They also played our school’s fight song during the first few minutes of the game.

On September 19, the Band traveled with the football team to an away game and performed as a pep band during the game. Many people commented that it was nice to be able to hear the band play at away football games as well. Everyone in Band hopes that away game performances become a regular thing.

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On Thursday May 29, a new tradition was started here at Hanover High School. The Literary Magazine (www.hanoverlitmag.com) sponsored a night of poetry in the Multipurpose Room.  Over 100 students attended this event. The fact that the English Department offered extra credit for attendance certainly helped in achieving that goal. The MC of the night was senior Joe DeFerrari.

Starting off the night were performances from two of the English teachers here at HHS: Mr. Hopkins and Mrs. Hughes. Both of them presented original poems and were met with rave reviews.

After Mr. Hopkins shared his performance, Jamele Adams took the floor with great gusto. Jamele’s day job is the Dean of Students at Brandeis University but by night he is a slam poet. Everybody loved Jamele’s performance. All of his poems centered around a theme of equality. In today’s world it was truly refreshing to hear those uplifting pieces. Mere summary cannot do justice to the impact of Jamele’s performance.

After Jamele’s performance was an open mic session. Several students shared their own original works of poetry for everyone to enjoy. It was truly amazing the talent of many of the students right here at HHS.

Litmag wants to thank the Classes of 2015 and 2016, National Honor Society, and Hanover House of Pizza for helping to sponsor this event.