The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
May 5, 2019 - Volume 1 - ISSUE 30
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
May 6-17 - AP Exams
May 14-16 - Art in Bloom
May 20-23 - Senior Finals
May 21-22 - Math MCAS
May 21-23 - Early Release for Seniors Only
May 23 - Senior Prom at Venezia, Dorchester
May 27 - No School – Memorial Day
May 28 - Senior Banquet
May 28 - Biology MCAS Field Test
May 29 - Scholarship Night
May 30 - Community Evening School Graduation 6:00PM in Performing Arts Center
May 31 - WHRHS Graduation 6:00PM in Gymnasium
Whitman-Hanson 3D Printer Camp!
Superintendent Szymaniak Addresses Questions and Clarifies the Regional Budget Process
Mr. Szymaniak takes this opportunity to mention and begin to explain some of these items in the video below. Take the time to view this video. It's important to understand how your students' education is funded.
DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS TO HOLD ELECTRONIC RECYCLING DAY!
Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars concludes their fundraising season with a Spring Electronic Recycling Day at the former Maquan School in Hanson on Saturday, May 11, from 9AM to 1PM. Residents and non-residents can dispose of their unwanted electrical items which they may not be able to do away with by conventional trash methods. A fee will be assessed which will support DFS’ scholarship awards program.
Televisions 24” and below can be discarded for $25. Televisions over 24” can be discarded for $30. Wood console and projection TVs can be discarded for $35. Computers, VCRs/DVDs, window air conditioners, printers/copiers, fax machines, humidifiers, flat screen computer monitors, and microwaves can be disposed of for $10. CRT Tube monitors can be disposed of for $20. Cellphones ($1) and keyboards ($2) cost a lesser amount. Most items not listed will be accepted. Please ask for pricing. Additionally, discounts will be available for multiple donations.
Attention Parents of the Class of 2019 Graduates!
PET has partnered with Flowers Forever in Whitman to offer Graduation Flower Bouquets for only $20! CLICK HERE to order online at our website
Order online by May 18th and your bouquet will be ready for you to pick up at the door entering the Graduation Ceremony on May 31st. All proceeds go directly to Panther Ed Trust to fund future enrichment programs!
Be Part of the Solution!
If you would you like to get involved with PET, join us at an upcoming meeting:
May 6th and June 3rd at 7:00pm in the High School Library
Thank you for your support!
Follow us on Twitter @PantherEdTrust
Like us on Facebook Panther Ed Trust
Dr. Christopher Jones
Focus on Strength
This week's message is about leaning into our strengths rather than wishing others' were less.
People complaining about that name you always hear; hoping they don't do well. This becomes even harder to avoid when either you or your child is in competition with them. We need to adjust our perspective by reflecting on the following questions:
- Are you spending time in negativity by complaining or hoping for someone else to do poorly?
- Are you spending your time working towards improving your areas of strength so that you can be even better?
The difficult message to accept is this: There are always going to be people who are just better than us at certain things.
The question to focus on is: What are you going to do about it; use it for motivation and focus on getting better or continue to under perform because you are waiting for that person to fail?
Think about it. Our earned achievement is better than someone else's failure. Success that relies on us performing rather than others failing is the best and longest lasting.
Take this challenge: Find someone who is better than you at something and compliment them for doing so well. Be genuine and even ask them how they got that way if you are interested in doing as well. Reflect on the experience so you can hear yourself complimenting someone. It will begin to improve your mindset.
Also, don't forget to recognize what you are good at and continue to improve in that area as well. I talk more about this in the video below. Check it out...
Our Story...
Take a look and feel free to comment...this is our story...and everyone is part of it.
Counseling - Mrs. Ruth Carrigan
ASVAB- ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) testing will be offered at Whitman-Hanson on Tuesday, May 14th from 1:45 – 4:30 PM. Students in grades 10 - 12 interested in exploring opportunities in the military are encouraged to check in with Mr. Amado to find out more and to sign up for the test. He can be reached at Domingo.Amado@whrsd.org.
Dual Enrollment - Massasoit Community College – Summer and Fall 2019
Information is now available for Spring 2019 Dual Enrollment classes at Massasoit Community College. Dual Enrollment gives high school students (primarily grades 11 and 12) an opportunity to take college classes and receive both high school and college credit. Massasoit Dual enrollment is available to students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Instructions and application materials were sent to grade 10 and 11 student email accounts this week. After reading these documents, interested students should contact their counselors with any questions.
SAT Registration – Registration for the 2019/2020 school year is currently available. Any juniors planning to take the August 2019 are encouraged to register now. Spaces go very quickly for this test date. To register, go to www.collegeboard.org.
If you have questions regarding any of the programs mentioned, please feel free to check in with your child’s school counselor. They are assigned by student's last names:
A-B Mrs. Carrigan
C-F Mrs. Garrett
G-L Mrs. Selig
M-P Mrs. Cunha (Covering for Mrs. Bianco)
Q-Z Mr. Amado
Administrative Assistant Mrs. Getchell
Community at Large!
Help Those in Need!
The National Honor Society is collecting new school supplies for SOWMA (Schools on Wheels of Massachusetts). It's an organization that helps provide homeless children in MA with necessary school supplies. Over the summer, SOWMA works to fill backpacks with these donations, which will be handed out to children in need. The collection will run until June 7. Collection boxes will be located in the main office, the library, the school counseling office, and room 272.
Nurse - Mrs. Margaret Baker
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. Vision and hearing screenings are currently in progress!
Flu Information
Flu season is waning but still active! Please Note: There were approximately 80,000 deaths during the 2017-2018 flu season- 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!
We all love the coming of spring! However, spring allergies soon appear with increased pollen counts and the blooming of leaves and plants. How can you tell the difference between a common cold and seasonal allergies? Here is a very helpful article to reference which will help you decide: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/10/cold-flu-or-allergy
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 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
On Tuesday night, Dr. Jones and I will have the privilege of attending the Patriot League Scholar Athlete banquet where two of our top student-athletes will be honored. There are many outstanding student-athletes here at Whitman-Hanson but this year the honor goes to Dorothy DiMascio Donahue and Ryan Trongone. Dorothy, who is a member of the National Honor Society, has a 4.93 GPA and has a long list of academic awards Including the Spellman Oratorical First Place prize. She is an outstanding track athlete and was also a member of the state champion cheerleading team earlier in her career. She will be attending Tufts University in the fall. Ryan has a 4.28 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. He takes many AP classes all while playing both football and lacrosse. He also wrestled and did track earlier in his career. He will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall.
In a few weeks the class of 2019 will be walking across the stage at graduation and then they are off to their next challenge. For many of our student athletes that means playing sports in college. The college search process can be daunting enough but when you add the prospect of trying to play sports it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Each year the athletic department holds an informational night about the college search process as it relates to athletics. The program will include details on the recruiting process, what to expect from coaches and recruiters, how to communicate with coaches, the do’s and don’ts for parents and much more. Each family that attends will receive an informational packet with helpful handouts. The program will be held this Thursday at 6pm in the small lecture hall at the high school and is open to any sophomore or junior as well as their parents.
Friday night Whitman-Hanson was treated to an inspiring program from the Rolling Celtics a wheelchair basketball team sponsored by Independence Associates. It was an incredible night watching our students interact with these special athletes. We all gained an appreciation for the skill and determination of these incredible people who taught us all that we should never let what we cannot do stop us from doing what we CAN do. One of the highlights of the night was watching our own Sean Farrell score one of the few baskets from Whitman-Hanson students. Both the boys and girls basketball teams as well as many students and community members were given the opportunity to get in the wheelchair and learn how to play the game. A special thank you to Bryan Bjorklund and Ryan Macleod for bringing this program to Whitman-Hanson.
Don’t look now but the softball team has won three in a row. The girls have been working hard and getting better every day and this week they put it all together. The Panthers completed the sweep of the week with a come from behind 6-4 win against Pembroke on Friday. The game was tied at 3 with the Panthers batting in the bottom of the fifth when Erin Burke singled on a 1-2 count, scoring two runs. The Panthers rallied for 12 hits. Emily McDonald, Abby Cleary, Robin Goyette, and Annie Cook each had two hits for WH. Abigail Cleary pitched a compete for the Panthers allowing just four runs on nine hits, striking out seven and walking one.
The baseball team bounced back nicely from their first loss of the season by shutting out Pembroke on Friday, 7-0. Ethan Phelps pitched 6 shutout innings before being relieved by Sean MacKay, who finished the game in his first varsity mound appearance. The Whitman-Hanson hitting attack was led by senior Will Newell who had 3 hits, while Rian Schwede and Derek Frank each had 2 hits. Tom Marshall, Ethan Phelps, Danny Kent, Mike Cook, and Devin Coulstring also had hits as the Panthers scored 5 runs in the second inning , 1 in the third and 1 in the fourth. The Panthers are now 8-1 overall and 6-1 in Patriot League play.
The Whitman-Hanson Girls Track and Field (3-1) team lost its first meet of the season to Hingham 85.5-50.5. First place finishers for the Panthers included FR Olivia Borgen (200 - 26.48), SO Isabelle Amado (800 - 2:34), FR Ava Melia (Mile - 5:54), FR Myah Kamperides (2 Mile - 12:27), SR Captain Allison Bartlett (Hurdles - 16.48), JR Captain Samantha Perkins (Javelin - 110' 3") and SR Captain Dorothy DiMascio-Donohue (Triple Jump 32' 5").
Whitman Hanson Boys Track and Field team lost to Hingham 102 to 34 this week. Cullen Poth won the Discus and Shot Put. Shane Schrautwon the 400 Hurdles. The 4 x 400 relay team won and posted their fastest time of the year. Also of note Jake Caterer set a school record for 9th graders in the 100m dash 11.84. Jake also tied the school record for 9th grade in the 200M 24.24 at this meet. Whitman Hanson's boys Track and Field team's record is 2 - 2.
The girls tennis team split a pair this week defeating Quincy 3-2. Junior Abby Pulling won at 2nd singles 6-2,6-4, at 3rd singles Julia Benviewon 6-0,6-0. The second doubles team of Rylie Harlow and Kyla Faghan won 6-2,6-0. The team also lost to league power Hingham and had their game with Pembroke rained out. Their record is now 5-4.
The boys tennis team hit a rough patch this week but did have a close one with Quincy before falling 3-2. First singles Matt Hickey won his match (6-3, 6-2) while second doubles seniors Jared Badger and Nolen Smith won their match (6-3, 7-5).
The girls lacrosse team beat Hull this week, 13-0. Whitman Hanson played consistently with solid defense and steady offense. The first half ended with a score of 10 - 0 and the game went to running time. WH scored three more goals in the second half to end with a score of 13 - 0. Ava Barry anchored the defense in goal to achieve the shutout with two point blanks saves in the second half. Scorers were: Zoe Lydon, 3G,Bryn Miller 2G 1A, Taylor Ross 2G, Jackie Keenan 1G 1A, Brooke Connors 1G 1A, Joli Flamos 1G, Savannah Poirier 1G Katie Mulligan 1G, Sami Whitman 1G and Emily Berthiaume 1A for a total of 9 scorers in the game which is a record number of scorers in a single game for the season.
The boys lacrosse team dropped a pair this week with the most exciting game being an overtime loss to Rockland who avenged their overtime loss to the Panthers from earlier in the season. The WH defense led by seniors Ryan Trongone and goalie Mario Troiani (9 saves) was tested all game as they held a disciplined Rockland offense to just three goals in the first half. Four second half penalties put a damper on WH’s momentum, but the Panthers battled to eventually keep the game tied at the end of regulation. After three scoring opportunities early in OT, Rockland finally got their chance off a turnover in transition and capitalized to end the game. Will Polito (7 groundballs) and Griffin Nickerson controlled the face-off X all game winning 15 of 19 face offs. Ryan Downing (4g) led all scorers with four second half goals while senior midfielder Shane Ross (2g, 1a) chipped in with 3 points. Senior attackman Riley White (1g, 1a) went one and one while fellow senior Sean Joanis (1a) had a helper and sophomore Kyle Hamilton (1g) notched a big goal in the second quarter. Senior Mason Gorman (1a) was active all game for the Panthers at both ends of the field and Adam Solari (1g, 5 groundballs) was a force at long-stick middie scoring a beautiful goal in transition during the fourth quarter.
Sports Short Wrap Up!
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