The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
April 3, 2020 - Volume 2 - ISSUE 27
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!
Dr. Christopher Jones
Message to Community
Hello Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Families,
While I have included the same video message I sent a couple weeks ago because I find it to still be relevant I also wanted to communicate just a few more things.
- Thank you for your open support of our school and teachers as we go through this. I could not be happier with your patience and understanding during such trying times.
- I want to publicly thank the teachers as well. They have "jumped in" to these unknown waters and have been doing their best to "keep learning alive" with our students.
- Please take the time to read the WHRHS Remote Learning Plan provided below. It outlines how we will be moving forward until we receive more guidance from the Commissioner.
- I have received numerous requests to continue sending out the Panther Press each week. While I will be sending out special editions with new news, I will be more active on social media with shorter videos, information, and messages to help us all push through this time. I will pride various links to different places you can find these.
Again, I am grateful to be part of this community. It is something special to see how we can rally together and set aside differences and disagreements in an effort to help our most treasured possessions; our students.
Be well, stay safe, and shine some light into another person's day today.
Chris Jones
WHRHS Remote Learning Plan
Dear Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Parents/Guardians,
I want to start by thanking you for your continued patience and efforts to work with us as we navigate this pandemic together as a community. As instructed by both Governor Baker and Commissioner Riley, our school will remain closed through May 4th with an expectation that a remote learning plan will be communicated. District and school leadership teams as well as our teachers have been meeting to provide structured learning opportunities focused on ensuring that equitable opportunities for continued learning are provided to all students by setting forth lines of communication and academic expectations that:
primarily take into account students’ social emotional well being
are rooted in a deeper exploration and application of previously taught concepts
are a diagnostic analysis of students’ needs in an effort to shape curriculum as we all move forward
You may access the WHRHS REMOTE LEARNING PLAN in PDF form here.
It concisely outlines how we plan to support students, provide structure and guidance for families, allow flexibility for inevitable changes, and communicate predictable expectations. I encourage you to reach out to me personally if you have any questions, comments, or needs concerning the plan or access.
Resources and Opportunities for Learning to Students
Whitman-Hanson High School Students and Families:
- Keep to a routine. Especially try to keep to a school/work sleep schedule and make sure you are practicing healthy hygiene. For example, sleep at regular times, eat healthy balanced meals, shower and bathe daily, and be sure to keep your mind and body active!
- Stay physically active and get fresh air. Sit outside on your porch, open your doors and windows for fresh air, take a walk or run around the block, take a pet for a walk, go for a hike, sit by the water (if applicable) and enjoy nature, garden, rake leaves - anything to get outside and exert energy. This is great for your physical AND mental health.
- Keep in contact with outside providers and try to keep appointments for mental health. If you aren't able to go to their office, ask if they can do a telehealth or zoom video conference with you. Perhaps, your therapy sessions can be done on the phone or schedule a brief phone check-in.
- Be mindful of media intake; temporarily limit exposure to sources that increase anxiety, depression, loneliness, fear, and anger and stick to content that helps you feel hopeful, happy, calm, connected, inspired and uplifted. Take a break from the news and social media. Also, make sure the news you are reading/watching is from a CREDIBLE source!
- Stay connected. Genuinely connected. Have real phone conversations, write letters/cards, play board games with your family and friends, spend time physically near other humans (and animals) and reach out to friends and loved ones via facetime or other video platforms that feature more authentic 1-1 connection.
- Get creative with your “down time”. Talk with your older siblings and parents, grandparents - I’m sure they remember when there was no internet or video games! Play a card game, board game, do a puzzle, bake/cook, color, arts/crafts, take a bubble bath, read, write, journal - you are living history now! Document this for future generations!
Below you will find more comprehensive guides and sites to help you with many needs you may be facing. Remember that above all, its important to reach out if you need help in any way. There is no shame in asking for assistance in times like these.
WHRSD Food Services
Dear Families,
Starting Monday, April 6, we are implementing a new system for ordering meals using the Nutrislice App.
This will streamline ordering meals for your children during our school closure.
Pick up will take place on Mondays and Thursdays at the High School. All bagged meals will be available for drive through pick up from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Orders need to be placed by 8:30 a.m. to receive meals that day. Each bag will contain enough breakfasts and lunches per child to cover the days until the next pick up day.
Please let us know if you do not have the ability to order online or to pick up meals.
In addition, our food pantries may be able to help during this challenging time. The information is listed below. We would recommend calling the pantries first, since the pantries may need to change their hours at this time.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Nadine Doucette via email or at 781-618-7477.
Thank you and stay well,
Nadine Doucette
Director of Food Services
Whitman-Hanson Regional School District
Pantry Information:
Hanson Food Pantry
228 High Street
(781) 293-1400
Whitman Food Pantry
44 Blake Street
(781)447-8560
Community Resource Guide
Crisis Services for Students Experiencing Mental Health Emergency
CALL 911 or go to your local hospital emergency room
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
The National Suicide prevention Lifeline is a 24 hour, toll-free suicide prevention hotline. You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. Call for yourself or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7, confidential text message service for people in crisis.Local Food Insecurity, Financial, Fuel, and Rent Resources
- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE. Food stamps and income for families with dependent children meeting income eligibility. 61 Industrial Park Rd., Plymouth, 508-732-3100, Fax: 617-887-8765
- Good Neighbor Energy Fund in Massachusetts
- Interfaith Social Services | Serving the South Shore Since 1947
- Project Bread | Home
- South Shore Community Action Council | Welcome
- WELLSPRING, Hull, MA Offering a Hand Up – Not a Hand Out
- XFINITY INTERNET ACCESS. Comcast is providing 60 days of free access for people who are not current Comcast subscribers. Please go to for more information.
Communicating With Students About COVID-19
- How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus
- Talking to Tweens/Teens About the Coronavirus
- NASP: Talking to Children about COVID-19: A Parent Resource
- 5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety Around Coronavirus
- Spreadsheet of Education Companies Providing Free Resources during COVID-19 period
- Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 | CDC
- A Comic created from NPR based on interviews with experts
- What Kids Want To Know About Coronavirus: An Original Comic : Goats and Soda
- A Brain Hack to Break the Coronavirus Anxiety Cycle The New York Times
- www.wholechildcounseling.com
Mental Health/Coping With COVID-19 and Social Distancing
- How to Prevent Loneliness In a Time of Social Distancing
- SAMHSA: Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak
- SAMHSA: Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- CDC: Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
- ABC Please (DBT)
- Healthy Mind Platter
- https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors/professional-development/learn-more/coronavirus-resources
COVID-19: Be Healthy, Safe, and Well
To All the Members of the Whitman-Hanson Family
Panthers -
In this unprecedented time of uncertainty, closures, fear, and information overload, I just wanted to offer three steps to help cope with what we are seeing unfold each day. I talk more about each in the video below, but at a glance they are:
- Set a schedule - This helps you stay productive, gives you something else to focus on, and offers a degree of normalcy in a time there is anything but that present.
- Keep a journal - An inherently cathartic exercise, this will help you get your thoughts and perceptions out for later reflection. It can also serve as a good discussion starter with children. Use any medium with which you (or your children) are comfortable. It will also serve as a fantastic piece of history to share with your grand and great grand children
- Practice gratitude for what you have rather than focusing on what you are missing - yes we are being kept from our old comforts and routines. Sometimes it is even causing difficulty. However, focus on everything you have in your life that is positive. Change "I have to" to "I get to" and you will see what I mean. Enjoy the extra time spent on family dinners, game nights, reading, or just plain extended conversations.
I wish you all the very best and want you to know that if you need anything we are here. Do not hesitate to reach out and ask or inform. Otherwise we can't help when we don't know there is a need. Once a Panther...always a Panther!
Mr. David Floeck
I wish all of our Panther families continued good health and spirits. As we face these challenging times together, we are committed to “keep the learning alive” for our students. We understand that your child’s education will look different in the coming weeks but we are committed to insuring every student has the opportunity to continue to grow. In the face of adversity our students will have the opportunity to develop new skills, learn in different ways, and explore new things and in the end be stronger because they persevered. We ask that you reach out to your child’s teachers or support staff with any questions as they will be available through various communication methods. If you have any questions for the main office, please email us and we will be sure to respond.
Education is a gift that none can take away.
American Proverb
Mrs. Ruth Carrigan
We hope that you continue to stay safe while we are away from school. We know that social distancing can be difficult, so please take care of your emotional health - stay connected virtually with friends and teachers, get some exercise every day if you can (safely of course), and please reach out to your school counselor for help if you need it - we are only an email away! We also wanted to keep you updated about several important items:
Seniors - We encourage you to continue to work on local and community scholarships. We've extended the deadline to May 8th. Go to the WHRHS scholarship webpage for more information. If any additional changes to deadlines/process are needed, we will let you know.
We know that many seniors are in the process of making decisions about where to attend college next year. We encourage students and families to check out the After the College Acceptance/Paying the College Bill Webinar by MEFA to learn more about comparing financial aid packages. Check out a financial aid package comparison tool by clicking the link. In addition, many colleges have changed policies regarding tuition deposits and other enrollment procedures, so please be sure to check out specific college websites if you have questions.
Juniors - This is the time of year that we typically start of our Junior Post Secondary Planning meetings. Although we are out of school, we still hope to hold those meetings. Grade 11 Students/Parents, please follow this Junior Planning Meeting Request link to set up a planning session with your counselor.
We have also put together some helpful resources on Virtual College Tours. This is a great way to start exploring post-secondary options while we are away from school. Please check out the link if you’d like to find out more.
As you many imagine, the field trip to the Boston National College Fair was canceled. If you signed up for the college fair field trip, you have an option to roll over your field trip fee ($10) toward your class dues or to request a refund. If you are seeking a refund, please email Mrs. Horton by May 15th.
AP Students - As you should know by now, there are big changes to AP. AP testing will be done online this year due to the disruption of school schedules across the country. Information to date from The College Board is limited, but additional details will be available by April 3. In the meantime, please check the AP Updates for the most up to date information. We will keep you posted as we learn more.
We encourage all students to take advantage of learning opportunities provided by your teachers. Please stay in touch and ask for help when you need it. School may be closed, but we are still here for you. We will be checking email regularly and will respond to you as soon as possible. Take care of yourself and stay safe!
If you have any questions on any of these programs, please reach out to your school counselor.
Mrs. Carrigan - Ruth.Carrigan@whrsd.org
Mrs. Selig - Courtney.Selig@whrsd.org
Mrs. Cunha - MaggieCate.Cunha@whrsd.org
Mr. Amado - Domingo.Amado@whrsd.org
Athletics - Coach Bob Rodgers
A Few Notes...
These are difficult times for everyone but in particular for our spring athletes who have worked so hard to prepare for this season. Rest assured, we will do everything possible to salvage as much of the season as possible. The Patriot League Athletic Directors have been meeting (virtually) on a regular basis and we have plans in place to return to action the day we return to school. As of now, the MIAA has placed the new start date as May 4th which will allow for a 12 game regular season and then some form of post season tournament. The plan would have us ending no later than June 27th.
In the meantime, students are encouraged to stay physically active while maintaining physical distancing. It is important that all students stick with the recommendations set forth regarding avoiding contact with others outside of your home. This is for their safety and for everyone else as well.
Seniors are asked to look at their email and reply to the questionnaire I sent on Wednesday. Our plan is to put together a senior athletic yearbook. We would like everyone to be included regardless of how many years you participated.
Finally, School Counseling Director Ruth Carrigan and I held a college search seminar on Tuesday which was geared to the student athlete. Please reach out to me if you need any help in the process. If you missed the presentation and would like some of the resources we distributed please let me know.
Stay safe and I hope to see you all very soon.
Coach Rodgers
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