The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
January 5, 2020 - Volume 2 - ISSUE 17
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
January 9 - College Admissions Seminar
January 15-21 - Semester 1 Mid-Year/Final Exams
January 20 - No School – Martin Luther King Day
January 21 - Quarter 2/Semester 1 Ends
January 22 - Quarter 3/Semester 2 Begins
January 23 - Combined Honor Society Induction 6:30PM in Performing Arts Center
January 24 - Early Release – District Grading Day
January 29 - Semester 1 Report Cards available n Parent Portal
February 5-6 - MCAS Biology Retest
February 7 - Early Release – District Professional Development
February 13 - HS Delayed Opening
February 13 - Panther Praise 8:15AM in Performing Arts Center
February 17-21 - No School - Winter Break
March 2 & 4-5 - MCAS ELA Retest
March 3 - No School for Students – Presidential Primary Election
March 5 - HS Delayed Opening
March 6 & 9 - MCAS Math Retest
March 17 - Shakespeare & Company Grade 12 students
March 18 - Naviance Night 6:30PM in Room 159 & 161
March 19 - HS Delayed Opening
March 23 - Spellman Contest 6:30PM in Performing Arts Center
March 24-25 - MCAS ELA Grade 10 Students
March 27 - District Early Release – Professional Development
March 27 - Junior Prom – Canoe Club 7-10PM
WGBH’s High School Quiz Show® has announced the 17 schools from across Massachusetts that will compete on the 11th season of the public television academic tournament. Hosted by Boston media personality Billy Costa, the broadcast competition tests students’ knowledge in math, science, civics, literature, history, current events and more.
Our school is one of the 17 schools who has qualified to be on High School Quiz Show this season. Coached by Christopher Szkutak and Julie Giglia, students Catherine Cronin, Adam Everidge, Michael Doucette, and Benjamin Turner, with the support of alternates Nicholas Femia and John Molisse, will play head to head against teams from all across Massachusetts.
The first match will be against Boston Latin on January 25th at 4pm at the WGBH Studios in Brighton. Tickets to be in the studio audience are FREE and are available at http://bit.ly/whquizshow! We want to see our community “fill the studio” with our school colors and spirit! Your support will be greatly appreciated. All are welcome to be there, we hope to fill the studio with Panther Pride!
Our episode will air on February 29th at 6:00 PM on WGBH-2!
Please invite friends and family to join in supporting our quiz team.
Thanks for your support!
A Community and Future Built on Black and Red Spirit!
We have a very special community consisting of two towns that come together to form one high school and one Panther family. Through our various camps and clinics in various sports at the high school, we hope to begin building a foundation of that red and black spirit. But even more important than that, is our desire to help parents and families in Whitman and Hanson instill healthy interests and passions in our young people.
Parents of elementary and middle school children have a great opportunity to help shape their child’s future by sparking their interest in some kind of sport or activity. One of the best ways to do this, is to come to high school sporting events as a family and enjoy one of the purest forms of competition you could find. Sure it is fun to go to Fenway to see the Red Sox or the Boston Garden to see the Celtics, but it has been our experience that kids who go to high school games on a regular basis truly develop a love for that sport. In addition, it is a fun family night that is affordable and easy to manage into your schedule.
Aside from being the Athletic Director, I am also the high school basketball coach. Most of my current players were fixtures in the gym while they were growing up. They loved coming to watch our teams play and they tell me today that they looked at those high school players as role models and heroes. We have 27 sports at the high school and you can find all of the schedules at www.whathletics.com . Children 4th grade and under are always admitted free and parents admission is only $5 (plus the parking is free!). It is a lot more affordable than going to a professional event.
Here is a link to each sport schedule for the winter season:
2019-2020 SEPAC meetings
All meetings held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6-8pm
in the Whitman Hanson Regional High School library
Please check out our website for more information
January 14th –Anxiety Presentation Part 1 - Students – (7-8pm middle high/school)
February 11th – Anxiety Presentation Part 2 - Parents - 6-8pm
March 10th – BCBA Presentation - (6-8pm Middle & High School)
April 14th – Occupational Therapy Presentation - 6-8pm
May 12th – Speech and Language Presentations on Language Pragmatics (meeting will be held in WHRHS Courtyard Café due to Arts in Bloom being held in the WHRHS library) (6-8pm Middle & High School)
June 9th – Planning 2020-2021 meetings, general discussion - 6-8pm
Dr. Christopher Jones
3 Ways to Make an Idea Successful!
We all have ideas and some of those ideas even become goals. But what gets them all the way to actual success? The obvious answer is action. In this video I offer three ways to make it work for you.
Do Something Now:
Take the first step no matter how small it seems. The longer a person waits or procrastinates, the less chance they ever have of starting. How many people do you know that start thinking about their New Year’s resolution in December and then wait until January 1st to start; only to stop in February? That’s why small, consistent steps are more successful than grand gestures.
Schedule to Keep Consistency:
Whatever it takes, find a way to schedule and check yourself for consistency. Maybe a paper planner, sticky notes on your desk, or an electronic app works for you. We are all individuals so you cannot follow others on this one. Any accountability system only works as well as you use it. That’s why you need support.
Get an Accountability Group:
Find a group of people who will call you out when you are not acting in accordance with your stated beliefs, values, or goals. Some people may consider themselves your good friends if they keep you feeling good by never questioning your actions or progress. In reality, they are letting you down. Find and hang out with a group of people that will keep you on track when you stray. It may ruffle your feathers a little when they do it, but their value and caring will be immeasurable when you have successfully reached your goals by turning your ideas into action.
Take the challenge and share with me what happened. I would love to hear your results!
Our Story...
Take a look and feel free to comment...this is our story...and everyone is part of it.
Mr. David Floeck
High School Dismissal
Dismissal time at the high school is a very busy time and we want to insure the safety of everyone in the parking lot.
If you are picking up your child after school, please be reminded that any parking or idling in the fire lanes is strictly prohibited. We have noticed that vehicles are parking/waiting on both sides of the parking lot loop causing some real safety concerns. When vehicles are parked on both sides of the loop it is very difficult for vehicles to pass through and it also blocks the vision of drivers; which creates a real safety concern for our students who are walking through the parking lot.
We ask that everyone please take great care when picking up your child and please do not park or idle in the fire lanes. All vehicles should yield to the school buses and leave the driveways open so they may exit the campus safely and in a timely manner. Thank you for helping to maintain a safe and orderly dismissal process for our students.
Mrs. Ruth Carrigan
College Admissions Seminar
Please join us for Whitman-Hanson’s annual College Admissions Seminar that will be held on Thursday, January 9th at 6:30 p.m. This program will be an informative and interesting evening with presentations by college admissions professionals. Representatives from Harvard University, Boston College, The University of Massachusetts - Boston, and Massasoit Community College are expected to participate. Topics to be covered include Opportunities at Two-Year Colleges, The College Search Process, The College Application Process, Selective College Admissions, and The College Essay. The program is open to all students; however we especially encourage sophomore and junior students and parents to attend the WHRHS College Admissions Seminar.
FAFSA Help
Any seniors/senior parents needing help completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) are encouraged to contact ASA (American Student Assistance), 231 Main Street, Suite R, Brockton. Call 508-586-3111 to make an appointment. Walk-in services are also available.
Dual Enrollment - Introduction to Aviation and Aerospace- Cape Cod Community College (Plymouth Airport Location) will be offering the Introduction to Aviation and Aerospace course for Spring semester (Jan. 24 – May 15). The course will be held on Friday afternoons (3:30 – 6:00 p.m.) at the state-of-the-art CCCC hangar facility at the Plymouth Airport. While this course is available to all students, it provides a perfect opportunity for high school juniors or seniors to take an introductory course if they think they may be interested in pursuing a career in Aviation Maintenance Technology at CCCC or a career in Aviation at any institution. Through the S-STEM Scholars Program and the National Science Foundation*, grant money may be available for students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch and who are interested in pursuing STEM career fields (including Aviation). Interested students should complete the Dual Enrollment application found on the CCCC website here. The deadline to register is January 10. Questions can be directed to Sharon Boonstra at sboonstra@capecod.edu.
Project Contemporary Competitiveness – PCC
PCC is a 6 week (or students can opt for a new four week program) residential summer program held at Stonehill College. PCC applications are now available in the School Counseling Office, and any student currently in 7th, 8th, 9th or 10th grade may apply! Completed applications are due to the WH School Counseling Office on January 15, 2020 and should include a $25 deposit, completed PCC application and scholarship application. For more information about PCC, please check out their website at https://pccasp.org.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your school counselor.
Mrs. Ashley Bissanti
"I just want to send along a note of gratitude that I have for one of your teachers, Mrs. Bissanti. Her level of positivity and enthusiasm is contagious! As a parent, I greatly appreciate her efforts to send high quality weekly newsletters to parents that always include a positive personal note, upcoming assessments, extra help times, and current math topics the class is studying. Hope you have a wonderful holiday break!" - Melissa Smith
Mrs. Cathy Brunelle
Students and staff have recommended 36 books! Read one and tell us what you think today!
Mrs. Margaret Baker & Mrs. Kathleen Joyce
~Panther Health Clinic~
The Mass. DPH requires the school to do the following health screenings each year:
- Height and Weight, including BMI –grade 10
- Scoliosis Screenings- grade 9
- Vision and Hearing –grade 10
- SBIRT Screenings- grades 9 and 10
Please contact the school RN if you DO NOT wish your child to participate in any of the health screenings in writing. Scoliosis screenings will begin the month of January.
Flu Information
Flu season has returned! Please Note: There were approximately 61,000 deaths during the 2018-2019 flu season- ( per Centers for Disease Control). It is not too late to receive your flu shot for yourself and /or your family! The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. Please contact your child’s physician to schedule a flu shot.
Many pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, and Duval’s offer flu shots. The vaccine is free with a copy of your child’s insurance card.
Remember- the flu can be deadly!
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 call Ms. Baker at 781-618-7452 or Mrs. Joyce at 781-618-7430 for any questions regarding medication.
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!
Athletics - Coach Bob Rodgers
Now that the holidays are over, the winter season is full steam ahead. It is very important that all student athletes keep academics as their top priority. First semester grades will determine eligibility for the rest of the winter season and for the spring season. All coaches allow students to miss practice or arrive late in order to make up academic work. If a student is struggling in any class they should speak with their teacher to come up with a success plan.
Now to our update….
The girls basketball team captured the Falcons Holiday Classic in Bradenton Florida by winning all three of their games. Their biggest challenge came against the host school, St. Stephen’s Episcopal. The Panthers had only one lead the entire night but it came when it mattered most, at the end. Olivia Martin (14 points) drilled a three pointer with 15 seconds left off a great pass from Brittany Gacicia (13 points) and Reese Codero (12 points) knocked down 2 free throws as the girls rallied to win the game, 57-54. The girls will be back in action at home Monday night against North Quincy to try and improve on their 4-2 record.
The boys hockey team also took home a tournament championship of the winter break. Captain Adam Solari scored 3 goals and Sean Doucette netted his first varsity goal as the Panthers beat Rockland in the championship game of the Cashman Tournament, 4-1. Erik Dean earned the victory in net. Reed Watson had a strong game defensively. Chris Stoddard had 3 assists and Ed Collins had two assists. The team also battled one of the best teams in the state, Marshfield to a close 3-1 loss (final Marshfield goal was an empty netter) on Saturday with Solari scoring the lone goal. The Panthers return to Patriot League play on Wednesday at Quincy.
The boys basketball team took 2 of 3 on their trip to Florida losing a close one to a team from Cincinnati (Sycamore) before beating Mount Dora (67-39) and East Bay (69-61). Senior captains Stevie Kelly (42 points, 19 assists and 12 rebounds) and Ben Rice (49 points, 6 assists and 20 rebounds) led the Panthers in the three games. Junior Cole Levangie also had a strong trip (42 points, 11 assists and 15 rebounds). The Panthers play three games this week beginning with a trip to North Quincy on Monday.
Whitman Hanson Boys Track lost a close indoor track meet with Plymouth High School Friday, 51 to 49. Winning for the Panthers were Graham Stewart in the 55M High Hurdles, Christopher Blackman in the 600M run, Cullen Poth in the Shot Put, and Theo Kamperides in the 2 mile. The Whitman Hanson 4 x 200 relay team won. That team had Jacob Donovan, Graham Stewart, Ryan Smith and Jake Caterer. The Panther boys are 1-1 and face a tough Marshfield team next Wednesday.
Whitman-Hanson Girls Track and Field (1-1) lost to Plymouth North Friday evening 58-42. Standout performances included Sophomore Myah Kamperides' wins in the 600 (1:51) and the 2 Mile (12:02) and Senior Captain Samantha Perkins win in the 55 Hurdles (9.84.) Senior Ryley Hurley chipped in scoring in the 300 Meter run, Long Jump and as anchor of the winning 4 x 400 team, as did Sophomore April Keyes who scored in the 55 Hurdles, 300 and High Jump.
Our small but mighty gymnastics team represented WH well at the league meet this week despite more than half the team battling or recovering from illness. The girls improved their beam score by more than one full point. They will host Marshfield and Hingham Tuesday at MGC in Pembroke.
The Whitman Hanson /Silver Lake girls hockey team beat Archbishop Williams on New Years day, 7-3 at the Sportsplex in Canton for their 2nd win in a row. Alyssa Murphy led the way with 2 goals and an assist, also scoring goals were Bridget Cardarelli, Cassandra Martin (her first high school goal), Ellie Grady, Emily McDonald and Shea Kelleher. Kat Gilbert and Rylee Moran played net. The team then beat Newton North last night 1-0 in Watertown for their 3rd win in a row. Alyssa Murphy scored the lone goal of the game while Kat Gilbert played stellar in goal for the shutout. The next game is Wednesday 1/8 at 6:00 vs. Hingham at Rockland Arena.
Our swim team spent much of the break working hard to prep for the rest of the season. WHAM swimming returns to action tomorrow (Monday) at home against Rockland.
Whitman-Hanson Panther Wrestling hosted its annual Tournament Saturday. The Panthers feared well finishing in 12th out of 16 teams with 79 points. Winning the tournament with 191.5 points was Brockton. The tournament is always a great example of how this group of student-athletes, coaches and parents come together to work hard to put on a first class tournament. Place winners for the Panthers included Joe Boss 3rd at 106 pounds, Damari Goldsmith Greene also finished 3rd at 138 pounds. Steve Brooks was the lone finalist for WH finishing 2nd at 160 pounds while Tyler Cullinan finished in 5th at 170 pounds. Next up for the Panthers is Marshfield HS at Marshfield on Tuesday 1/7/20.
The Panthers are 0-1 in the Patriot League and 0-1 overall.
Sports Short Wrap Up 10/7/19 - 10/14/19
There is so much going on with all our athletic teams, but you can catch up on all of it by reading Athletic Director Bob Rodgers' update and watching this weekly round up of the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Panthers' athletic teams in action!
Hit subscribe and follow to catch them all!
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
Twitter: @DrCSJones