The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
June 13, 2021 - Volume 3 - ISSUE 34
Welcome to the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Newsletter! It is designed to keep everyone (parents, students, staff, and community members) informed of the many events that are happening in and around the school. It contains links, pictures, and videos so that you have a more interactive experience and the ability to learn more about various topics.
Communication is incredibly important to understanding so we ask that you share our news as much as possible. We also welcome feedback! It is the only way to continuously improve. So, please interact, get involved, and let us know what you think by contacting us and sharing our news!
Important Dates to Plan
June 16 - Last Day of Classes (Half Day)
Dr. Christopher Jones
Short Term Illness
We often get worried about becoming ill with anything beyond a common cold. Why is it that we focus on the physical, but ignore our emotional or mental health?
I suggest three steps to take to help us keep our mental and emotional health at the best possible place in the video below.
- Consider the big picture
- Understand it isn't a zero sum game
- Realize most people are good and doing the best they can
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button so that you can continue to get these videos and other updates during the summer!
Our Story...
Take a look and feel free to comment...this is our story...and everyone is part of it.
Mrs. Ruth Carrigan - Counseling
Underclass Academic Awards/Pather Press Assembly - This week we were excited to celebrate the accomplishments of 270 students in grade 9, 10, and 11 with Academic and Panther Pride Awards. Congratulations to all of the students who were recognized. Please follow this Academic/Panther Pride Program link to view the assembly.
Scholarship Night for the Class of 2021 - On June 1, our annual Local and Community Scholarship Awards program for members of the senior class premiered. Please check out this link if you would like to view the virtual program: 2021 Scholarship Awards Virtual Program. We wish the Class of 2021 the very best of luck for the future! Be sure to keep in touch!
Post-Secondary Planning for Juniors - Juniors and parents should be on the lookout for an email from the School Counseling Department with important info about getting ready for senior year and post-secondary planning. We will be sending out an Action Plan for the Summer/Fall. In the meantime, please check out these helpful resources:
Panther Pathways Virtual Career Connections Fairs - View recorded sessions from 7 different career clusters
Panther Pathways Virtual College Visits - View recorded college admissions sessions from 10 colleges/universities
WHRHS College Essay Workshop with Heidi Erickson from Quinnipiac University
SAT - Students interested in signing up for a Fall SAT should keep an eye on the College Board website (www.collegeboard.org). Registration for 2021/2022 SAT dates will be available in early July. WHRHS is scheduled to be a test center in October 2021 and May 2022. If you qualify for free/reduced price lunch, please check in with your counselor about a fee waiver for the SAT.
Looking Ahead to 2021/2022
Although we are wrapping up the year, we are also looking forward to a more normal 2021/2022 school year. We encourage you to mark your calendars for the following events:
Student Schedule Release - Student schedules should be available on August 23, 2021. School Counseling will have drop in schedule change days during the week of 8/23 - Details will be available later in the summer.
Credit for LIfe Fair - On October 13, 2021, the School Counseling and Related Arts Departments, and High School Administration will be hosting our Credit for Life Fair for the Class of 2022 where students learn the real-life budgeting and money management skills they will use throughout their lifetime. We are currently looking for parent and community volunteers to help out. If you are interested in participating as a booth volunteer on the day of this event, please contact Nina Consolini at Nina.Consolini@whrsd.org.
PSAT for Juniors & Sophomores - On October 13, 2021 while the seniors attending the Credit for Life Fair, 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT. More details will be available when we return to school in September.
We wish you a wonderful summer! Stay safe, relax, and get some rest. We can’t wait to see you in September for an awesome 2021/2022 school year!
Need to speak to your counselor
Student Support Center
Ms. Rivera (Administrative Assistant)
School Counselors
Mrs. Carrigan (Director)
Adjustment Counselors
Science - Mr. Mark Stephansky
Biotechnology Finale
Students in AP Biology classes completed their lab activities with a biotechnology lab sorting DNA with Gel Electrophoresis. The students took Lambda virus DNA (an E. coli virus) subjected to three different restriction enzymes and analyzed the resulting DNA fragments. The exercise demonstrated the biotechnology behind the concept of DNA fingerprinting.
Below - Emma Bartelemia, Cadence Bowman, Kadence Devlin and Isabel Miller load their virus DNA into their gel.
Honor Societies Donate to the Homeless!
Ms. Margaret Baker & Mrs. Susanne Ford
Nurse’s Corner - Spring 2021
There has been great progress in the fight against Covid 19 and we have finally turned the corner! However, there is still an indoor mask mandate in place for all public schools in Mass; even if one is vaccinated. It remains more important than ever to adhere to the CDC guidelines of: wearing a mask, frequent handwashing, and maintaining social distancing in order to have success. Here is a useful tool that will help you in deciding whether to send your child to school: the Covid 19 Signs and Symptoms Check List. Please keep your child home if he/she is exhibiting any of the symptoms on the list and if you have any questions -call the school nurse for further assistance. Please be advised that the school nurses must follow the Mass. Department of Public Health Mandates in deciding if your child must go home if he/she is ill during the school day. Please be advised that if it is necessary for your child to be quarantined as a close contact to a positive case that the school MUST adhere to the protocols as defined by the Mass. Department of Public Health. Also, if your child is an athlete and happens to test positive for Covid you must submit a written doctor’s note clearing your child to return to play sports This is per the MIAA and there will not be any exceptions to this protocol. The school and the school nurses do not have any leeway in state Covid protocols and we are obligated to enforce them. Please send in to the school nurse any documentation if your child has been vaccinated for Covid-19.
The WHRSD has implemented a confidential Covid 19 phone line. Please feel free to leave a message at any time for advice or follow-up from our District Nurse Leader Lisa Tobin RN. The phone number for the Covid line is 781- 618-7450. There is further information available on Covid19 on our website.
Meningococcal Vaccine Requirement
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is requiring a second dose of the Meningococcal vaccination for all students in the 11th grade. Please send in your child’s documentation of the vaccine into the clinic as soon as possible.
Medication during the School Day
Please refer to the student handbook or the Health Services website regarding medication to be administered by the school RN during the school day. All prescription medications must be in the original prescription bottle with a written MD order and signed parental consent form. These forms may be downloaded from the website. Students are NOT allowed to carry medication with them during the school day.
Please do not hesitate to call the clinic at any time with any questions/concerns concerning your child’s health- we are here to keep your child healthy!
Ms. Margaret Baker RN, NCSN Mrs. Susanne Ford RN
Clinic phone: 781-618-7452
Clinic fax 781-618-7409
Athletics - Mr. Bob Rodgers
Post Season Action!
Whitman-Hanson Wrestling traveled to Tri-County for a tri meet Saturday that included Northbridge. The Panthers finished 1-1 on the day losing the first match by a close 42-37 score and bouncing back with a 42-18 win vs Northbridge. Double winners for Whitman-Hanson at 126 Aidan Guiliani with a hard fought 4-2 win and a forfeit (7-3), Damari Goldsmith Greene at 152 with 2 pins in :48 and 1:42(11-0) Declan Hanaphy at 195 also with 2 pins 1:03, 1:21 (8-2) Rocco Ruffini at 220 with a 10-2 win and a forfeit (9-1) and Maddox Colclough at 285 also with 2 pins in 1:40 and 2:24 (8-3). Single winners included at 113 pounds Joe Boss (8-1), Pat Collett with a forfeit (8-3), Grady Maynard at 132 and Jason Rapoza at 182 with a pin in :43 (7-3) The Panthers are now 2-3 in the Patriot League and 6-5 overall. Next up for Whitman-Hanson is a home meet on June 15th at 3:30 with Plymouth South. Senior Captain Damari Goldsmith Greene improves his win total today to "99" victories for his career. Damari will be looking for win #100 on Tuesday looking to become WH's 5th wrestler to gain 100 wins for his career. At Saturday’s Patriot League Championship Meet Senior Madison Scaccia and Junior April Keyes were named to the Patriot League All Star team. Each followed that up with great performances. Keyes placed 3rd overall in the 100 Meter Hurdles (16.55), 4th in the 400 Hurdles (1:10.29) and 9th in the High Jump (4' 6"). Scaccia finished 5th overall in the Triple Jump (33' 4.5"), 11th in the Long Jump (14' 10") and 11th in the 100 Meter Dash (13.87.) Others posting Personal Records on the day included Freshman Savannah Kamperides (200, 30.35), Junior Captain Myah Kamperides (400, 65.05), Senior Isabelle Amado (800, 2:29.82), Junior Erin Kelly (Mile, 5:45), Freshman Sky Bucci-Anderson (Mile, 5:58) and Junior Sarah Boulger (2 Mile, 13:44.) Whitman Hanson boys track and field team participated at the Patriot League Track and Field Championships Saturday at Hingham HS. Highlights of the meet were Theo Kamperides finishing 3rd 10:13 and Nathan Tassey finishing 7th 10:56 in the 2 mile. Gordon Johnson had a strong finishing kick to grab 4th place in the mile with a personal best performance of 4:46. Chase Baker finished 6th in 110 High Hurdles in 18.69. Freshman Jake Cappelletti finished 8th in the Long Jump with an 18 foot leap. Jake Caterer finished 6th and Chase Baker finished 9th in the Triple Jump. The team finished 9th in a very competitive meet. Named Patriot League All Stars were Senior Theo Kamperides and Junior Jake Caterer. Our girls tennis team closed out an historic post season by winning their first two Patriot Cup games before ultimately losing to Scituate. The team defeated a talented Marshfield team, 3-2, despite losing twice to the Rama during the regular season. Julia Benvie won at 2nd singles 6-0,6-0 and The first doubles team of Rylie Harlow and Nora Rooney won 4-6,7-5,7-5 and the second doubles team of Erin Tilley and Kyla Faghan won 6-0,6-1. Shannon Burt in 3rd singles lost a very close match her score was 7-5,4-6, 8-10 (superbreaker). Several Whitman Hanson teams will compete in the state tournament which will begin at the end of the week. Baseball, softball, boys tennis, girls lacrosse, wrestling and both track teams will all play in the state tournament. In a couple of weeks we will be honoring this years athletic accomplishments with a video featuring all of the awards, scholarships and MVPs. The link to the video will be posted on Twitter @whathletics .
Contact Us
Email: christopher.jones@whrsd.org
Website: https://www.whrsd.org/our-schools/whrhs
Location: 600 Franklin Street, Whitman, MA, USA
Phone: (781) 618-7020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCSJones
Twitter: @DrCSJones