致南通诺德安达学校学生的一封信（必读）| A letter to all students of NAS Nantong

From 1665 to 1666, a large-scale plague broke out in the United Kingdom. More than 100,000 people, which is equivalent to one fifth of the population of London, died. The medical service then was underdeveloped, and many people returned to the countryside for a safer environment. Newton, the great physicist and mathematician you may already know, was forced to leave Cambridge University and return to his hometown of Wool Thorpe to keep himself away from possible infection. Newton took full advantage of this period of tranquility and solitude to study and think. The color theory of light, the three laws of mechanics, the theory of universal gravitation, and the theory of calculus, which overwhelmed the science community and directly influenced his scientific career, were all fruits of his thinking during this time. He was hit by the apple here. He also raised many of the physical theorems we learned in middle school during this period.

The history of human kind is the history of their fight against major infectious diseases. Every dangerous epidemic outbreak demands human wisdom to deal with it. At the age of 84, Professor Zhong Nanshan, the respected leader of China's fight against atypical pneumonia, once again went to the front line of the battle, Wuhan, to personally command the medical staff. Zhong Nanshan graduated from a prestigious university in his 20s and went to the UK for further studies in his 40s. He has been studying hard and continued his research. Today Zhong Nanshan is shouldering the war for us, and in the next 5, 10 or 20 years, your generation will be influencing and changing the world. Whether you have the wisdom to meet the challenges of the future is a question we need to think and prepare for now.

In the history of the battle between human beings and diseases, not all diseases can be treated or cured. Human health relies on immunity, and healthy habits can enhance immunity. Everyday hygiene measures, balanced diet, good work-rest balance are the basics  of a healthy lifestyle.

In order to ensure the safety of students while minimizing the impact of the suspension on your learning, from February 3 to 17, Nord Anglia Nantong will work with the parents to help the students start their learning at home.

1. Subjects：

2. Timetable

Below is a self-study timetable recommended by the school. However, it is flexible and parents are requested to give students enough time to study at their own pace. Parents are encouraged to involve their children in the online communication as much as possible during the Q & A period.

3. Learning Methods

The students can learn by themselves and ask questions online.

Self-study: the students’ self-study and complete the assignments according to the teachers’ instructions. On Feb. 1, the teachers will send the Learning Instructions to the parents’ email via the ISAM system. The parents are required to print the Instructions and create a quiet learning environment for the students.

We require every student to make full use of this opportunity to cultivate his/her self-management ability: to work and rest at regular times and maintain a nutritional balance; organize your personal items and keep the room neat and clean; manage your time and learn effectively.

Online Q&A: The teachers of different subjects will create their online seminars and send the links to the students. A simple click will connect the students to the friendly smile of the teachers.

The teachers of biology, science and humanities offer a series of exploratory inquiry tasks based on the textbooks and the students’ background knowledge. For example, the eighth grade Biology class will conduct an inquiry on “virus” based on the unit concerning "microorganisms"; the seventh grade Biology class has designed an inquiry on the topic “health” based on the student’s knowledge about the human body; the seventh grade Humanities class will explore "the impact of epidemic on human civilization". Students need to make their own points, and study literature, identify their validity, filter invalid information, and select evidence to support their opinions. Imagine if you were in different roles in this epidemic, or in the face of different populations, in what ways would you try to stop or limit the spread of the epidemic? Present your findings in a way you deem appropriate.

NAS Nantong is an international school that implements education of international standards. International education does not only mean more English language learning, but also the education of an international perspective and mindset. People with an international education are able to cooperate with talents from all over the world to solve problems of all mankind. We can to solve human problems together. Therefore, as students of Nord Anglia Nantong, you do not reads the textbooks only and stay deaf to the events outside. Instead, you must always pay attention to national and world events, and reflect on the knowledge in the books into a global context. In this battle against the n-CoV epidemic, we have seen the determination of the CPC party and the government, and the sacrifice of the medical staff, the cooperation of the world medical community in the development of vaccines, the support of the World Health Organization, and the support of other countries in the world. They have enhanced our confidence. 

In this battle without flames and smoke, when the medical staff are fighting on the front line, as students, the best we can do is to take on the responsibility of the students and study hard; as school educators, we need to support and help you study at home; and the parents are to ensure your physical and mental health and to supervise your online learning. Let us work together and pull through the difficulties!