The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
March 24, 2019 - Volume 1 - ISSUE 25
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
March 25 – Spellman Contest 6:30PM in PAC
March 26-27 - MCAS ELA Grade 10
March 28 - Delayed Opening
March 29 - Early Release – Professional Development
April 2 – Quarter 3 Ends
April 4 - Advanced Placement Information Night at 6:30 in the PAC
April 5 – Early Release & Junior Prom
April 9 – Quarter 3 Grades available on Parent Portal
April 9 - Spring Concert – 7:00 in the P.A.C.
April 11 – Parent/Teacher Conferences
April 15-19 – Spring Break
Testing Information
The English Language Arts MCAS test is scheduled to be administered to all Sophomores on Tuesday, March 26 and Wednesday March 27. To make this the most successful experience possible for your students, we ask that you do the following:
Encourage your student to do their personal best. It isn’t about getting the highest score. It is about doing as well as possible.
Have your student get plenty of sleep the night before as well as a good breakfast in the morning.
Make sure your student is both present and on time these two days. MCAS is a graduation requirement and failure to take the exam will set them behind. Testing will begin promptly at 7:05AM each day.
It is also important to understand that students will be taking the computer-based MCAS test. As a result, the procedures may seem different to some. Many are minor, but there is one exception; the use of cell phones or any other electronic devices.
Students will not have access to their backpacks, bags, or any electronic devices for the duration of the test. It is extremely important to understand and communicate to the students that if they are caught with any electronic device (phones, iPods, watches, etc.) or accessing their bag, the student’s test results will immediately be invalidated by the State of Massachusetts.
If you have any questions about this state testing program, please do not hesitate to contact us. We all wish your student the best of luck.
Spellman Contest!
Advanced Placement Classes!
Advanced Placement Information Night
An Advanced Placement Information Night will be held on Thursday, April 4 2019 at 6:30 in the Dr. John F. McEwan Performing Arts Center. Students who have signed up for AP classes for the 2019-2020 school year and their parents are invited to attend. We will be discussing the WH AP Program, course and student expectations, and the changes to the College Board AP Program for next year.
Have Fun & Give to Those in Need!
Project 351 Making an Impact!
Support the Golf Team!
What better way to put the wintertime blues behind you than to come out and support the WH Varsity Golf Team, as they’ll once again be hosting their annual Panther Trivia Night on Friday, March 22th at the Meadow Brook Restaurant. All proceeds will go directly to the team to help offset the cost of equipment and activities. You can make a team of 8-10 players to compete for prizes and above all, bragging rights. We’re hoping to start the event at 7:00 PM (doors will open at 6:30); the show is once again 21+ with more raffles, auctions, and hopefully many more laughs!
Tickets are only $15 a person! Tables are already filling up, so it’s first come, first serve – we hope you can come out to join us and support the team for what promises to be a fun night out!
Ms. Kelly Tanis
Upcoming Community Service!
The Whitman-Hanson Day of Service will be held Saturday, April 27. All students, staff, clubs and teams are invited to participate.
As of today, service projects include working with Annie’s Kindness Blankets, Camp Kiwanee, both the Whitman and Hanson food pantries, Green Hanson’s annual Clean Up-Green Up, Whitman Public Library and the Best Buddies 5K.
For more information, please see Kelly Tanis or Ellen Galambos.
Cut-A-Thon to Support Dollars for Scholars
John Russell Studio Salon & Day Spa at 587 Washington Street in Whitman will be hosting a Cut-A-Thon in support of Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars 2019 fundraising drive. The event will be held on Sunday, April 7 from 10AM – 12PM with all proceeds to be donated to the scholarship fund. The Cut-A-Thon is for wet cuts only including: Womens Cuts, Mens Cuts and Childrens Cuts (under 10yrs). Manicures will also be available. Appointments are encouraged and can be made by calling 781-447-1100. Walk-ins will also be welcome.
John Russell Studio Salon & Day Spa has been in business since 1989. Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars is a local chapter of Scholarship America established in 1962. Community volunteers raise scholarship funds for graduating high school seniors from the two towns.
For more information, please visit WhitmanAndHanson.DollarsforScholars.org.
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:
April 1st, 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
You Listened; Now Talk!
One of the most popular tenants of communicating with people is that you need to tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them. That is a good big picture overview, but there are three important pieces to remember when communicating.
- Be clear
- Check for understanding
- End with a call to action
Following these steps will help create more effective communication in almost any situation.
I talk more about it in the video below. It's a little long, but I believe worth it. 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
Student Trooper Program
Please see the link below for information regarding the MA State Police/American Legion’s Student Trooper Program that will be held at the Mass State Police Academy in July. This program is open to male or female students ages 15 to 17 who are in good academic standing and are interested in the field of law enforcement. Space is limited and the deadline for completed applications (including payment and American Legion authorization) is the end of April. Students are encouraged to apply early since space is limited. This is an excellent program for students interested in the field of law enforcement. If you are interested in this option, please follow the link below. Hard copies of the application are available in the School Counseling Office. For more information on the Student Trooper Program, please refer to the program information on the link below or check in with your school counselor:
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/student-trooper-program
Scholarship Info Seniors
Applications for Local and Community Scholarships are available on the WHRHS website and are due to the school counseling office on 4/3/19.
Advanced Placement Information Night
An Advanced Placement Information Night will be held on Thursday, April 4 2019 at 6:30 in the Dr. John F. McEwan Performing Arts Center. Students who have signed up for AP classes for the 2019-2020 school year and their parents are invited to attend. We will be discussing the WH AP Program, course and student expectations, and the changes to the College Board AP Program for next year.
MEFA After the College Acceptance Seminar – Monday, April 8, 2019
Parents and students are invited to attend the free seminar “After the College Acceptance” on Monday, April 8th at 6:30 PM in the Dr. John F. McEwan Performing Arts Center at WHRHS. This seminar is offered through MEFA, the Commonwealth’s authority on planning, saving, and paying for college. An experienced MEFA representative will provide an overview of the college payment process, including the details of financial aid award letters, using payment plans, different financing options, and how to minimize debt. Before the seminar, be sure to visit MEFA’s website — mefa.org — to download a copy of the seminar presentation and explore other tools and resources to assist you in the college planning process. Also, you are welcome to bring your child’s financial aid award letters with you for questions after the seminar.
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
#WHPantherPride
The #WHPantherPride section is filled with shout outs to staff and students here at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. They are our way of recognizing hard work, creative thinking, and characteristics that make us proud to be part of this community. Please contact Dr. Jones if you wish to give a "#WHPantherPride" award to someone!
Abby DeLory and Kendall Colclough!
"Congrats to Abby DeLory and Kendall Colclough who were selected to take part in a collaborative Art Stars Project at the South Shore Art. They will spend Saturdays in March working with professional artists and be featured in the Cohassett Art Festival in June." - Mrs. Christina Maher
Mrs. Jennifer Perez!
Mrs. Cathy Bouzan!
"I want to give a huge shout out to Cathy Bouzan and the post graduate students. A group from Stoughton High School came today to visit the Post Graduate Program as well as two of our job sites where students are completing their vocational internships. Cathy went out of her way to answer questions and provide resources to this group who is working on developing their own Post Graduate Program for next year. The students took turns introducing themselves and talking about their individual jobs. Thank-you for being such gracious hosts to Stoughton High School. They were so impressed by our program, our dedicated staff and our amazing students!" - Mrs. Lauren Mathisen
Ms. Kelly Tanis
Librarian/Media Specialist - Mrs. Catherine Brunelle
Best Buddies Road Race!
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. Scoliosis 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!
Is it the flu or just a very bad cold? Check out this link for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm
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!
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