The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
February 9, 2020 - Volume 2 - ISSUE 22
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
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 24-25 - MCAS ELA Grade 10 Students
March 26 - Spellman Contest 6:30PM in Performing Arts Center
March 27 - District Early Release – Professional Development
March 27 - Junior Prom – Canoe Club 7-10PM
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
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
Student Selected Staff Member of the Month
Mr. James Kozak
Comments from students repeatedly praise his extra effort to help them succeed. They talk about his genuine concern for them as people and all the additional things he does for both them and the culture of the school. Mr. Kozak also helps all the faculty with technology whenever the need arises. He is truly an indispensable member of the faculty.
Be sure to congratulate Mr. Kozak when you see him!
Marissa Connell Wins "Classmates Today - Neighbors Tomorrow" Award!
Dr. Christopher Jones
Consistency is About Predictability
Consistency isn't necessarily about doing the same thing over and over again but more so about predictability. Life is full of change. No matter what, things are going to be a little different. However, if we focus on the over arching idea of predictability there is an opportunity to build trust and an increased sense of safety within change.
Change is difficult and yes, scary because people do not like having to wonder who or what they are going to encounter. Simply put; we all like a certain level of predictability. If a person's attitude or core set of values is predictable it is easy to know how they are going to act regardless of the situation. In a world where change is the constant, it is almost impossible to be consistent in anything, but your actions.
As a result, predictability comes from having a core set of values or beliefs that drives every decision and every action at some level. So, while the circumstances or situation may change, a person's actions and attitude remain predictable because they're based on that core level of values. This is what builds trust. Giving people and even yourself that safety net of predictability no matter the situation helps them find comfort in the face of change.
Our Story...
Take a look and feel free to comment...this is our story...and everyone is part of it.
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 April 20, 2020. Students are encouraged to apply early since space is limited. This is an excellent program for students interested in the field of law enforcement. For more information on the Student Trooper Program, please refer to the program information on the link or check in with your school counselor: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/student-trooper-program
Admissions representatives from Massasoit Community College will be visiting WHRHS on Wednesday, February 26thh for an “On the Spot” Admissions Decision Session. Any grade 12 students who are interested should check in with their school counselor.
Scholarship Assembly for Seniors - Wednesday, February 26, G Block
A scholarship assembly for seniors will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 during G Block for all seniors. Information will be presented on both Dollars for Scholars and Local and Community Scholarships. All seniors who are planning to attend post-secondary education should plan to attend.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your school counselor.
Dollars for Scholars
Applications are now available on the DFS website at www.whitmanandhanson.dollarsforscholars.org. Completed DFS applications must be completed and submitted online on or before March 15, 2020.
If you have any questions on any of these programs, please reach out to your school counselor.
Mrs. Carrigan - Ruth.Carrigan@whrsd.orgMrs. Garrett - Maureen.Garrett@whrsd.org
Mrs. Selig - Courtney.Selig@whrsd.org
Mrs. Cunha - MaggieCate.Cunha@whrsd.org
Mr. Amado - Domingo.Amado@whrsd.org
Upcoming Dates
Saturday, February 15, 2020 - Show Choir Valentine's Pancake Breakfast 9am-12pm Courtyard Café.
Saturday, February 29, 2020 - Nutmeg Show Choir Festival Windsor Locks High School in Connecticut
Friday, March 13, 2020 - “Alumni/Community Band” Concert 7:00 pm W-H PAC.
March 20-21, 2020 - Senior SEMSBA Festival
Saturday, March 21, 2020 - Show Choir Competition, Andover MA
Monday, March 23, 2020 - Show Choir Chipotle Fundraiser 5pm-8pm Derby Street Chipotle
Show Choir/Pit Band
They will continue to work hard to prepare for their first competition, the Nutmeg Show Choir Festival on February 29, 2020 at Windsor Locks High School in Connecticut.
Raffle Ticket sales for the VIP parking spot will be on sale at lunch at the end of February to win this prime parking spot for the month of March.
Come on down February 15th for a delicious pancake breakfast and a fun filled raffle! One plate is $7, kids under 3 eat free. Raffle tickets are $1 each.
On March 23rd, show this flyer to your cashier at the Hingham Chipotle and help support High Frequency!
Chorus
The new semester has started and we are working hard and improving our talents for the 2020 spring concert. We have some beautiful arrangements for you to hear!
Congratulations to the following students on making senior SEMSBA!
Julian Anderson - Tenor - 11th Grade
Lianne Leavitt - Soprano - 12th Grade
Emma Rogers - Soprano - 11th Grade
Band
The new semester has started and we are hard and improving our talents for the 2020 spring concert.
The High School Concert Band is preparing for the “Alumni/Community Band Concert on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 7:00 pm in the W-H PAC.
Congratulations to the following students on making senior SEMBSA!
Nora Rooney - Orchestra Violin - 11th Grade
“Something Natural” A Capella Group
We are so excited to be working on new, fun songs for the spring concert!
New members always welcome!
Drama Club
Meetings are Mondays & Fridays 2:00-3:00
We have been having so much fun already in rehearsals with this talented cast!
If you have any interest in getting involved, please email Brookescriven@gmail.com
Ms. Margaret Baker & Ms. Lisa Tobin
Nurse’s Corner - Winter 2019
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 in the spring.
Vaping
We have all heard about the increase in vaping in recent years- especially in children. There have been at least 34 reported deaths due to vaping in 2019 in the US. Vaping remains under investigation by the Mass. DPH and the CDC.
Attached are 2 pertinent articles from the Surgeon General of the U.S.:
- a fact sheet about vaping in youth
- a parent tip sheet for talking to your child about e-cigarettes. that offers further resources.
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. Tobin 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
We head into the final week of the regular season before February break and while some teams have finished their seasons already, others are gearing up for the post season. Here is the latest in WH Athletics.
The Whitman-Hanson Panther Wrestlers finished the dual meet season on a high note taking 2 out of 3 matches Saturday at Norwood HS. First round results were WH 54 BPCC 20, second round Norwood 45 WH 30 and the final round it was WH 66 and Everett/Malden 15. The Panthers finished the season 1-3 in the Patriot league Keenan Division and 11-8 overall marking the first winning season in 5 years!
Coming up big all with 3 wins each were are seniors captain Steve Brooks at 160 pounds with 3 pins (26 total for the season), Tyler Cullinan at 170 pounds and Mike Gardner with 2 pins(20 for the season). Several others also finishes 3-0 for the day including captain Damari Goldsmith-Greene at 138 and Declan Hanaphy with 3 pins at 285 pounds. Panthers going 2-1 on the day included Joe Boss at 106, Aidan Guiliani at 113 pounds, Aiden O'brien at 145 pounds, Maddox Colclough at 195 pounds,and Rocco Ruffini at 220 pounds. Single winners for the Panthers were Myles McInnis at 126 pounds, Brayden Kain at 132 pounds and Pat Collett at 152 pounds. Whitman-Hanson will be hosting the D2 South Sectionals next Saturday February 15th.
The Whitman-Hanson Panther Girls Track & Field team finished 6th among the 10 Patriot League teams at Friday's Patriot League Championship Meet. Standouts for Whitman-Hanson included Myah Kamperides who won the 2 Mile in a personal record of 11:49, Isabelle Amado who finished 3rd in the 1000 Meter run in 3:16, and Ryley Hurley who finished 5th in the 300 Meter run in a time 49.58.
On the boys side, the team finished 6th with 40 points
Highlights:
2nd overall in 55m High Hurdles Graham Stewart 8.38
6th overall in 55m dash Jake Caterer 6.89
6th overall in 600m Matt Avery 1:31.06
5th overall in Mile Liam Cafferty 4:53.44
6th overall in Mile Brandon Hager 4:54..29
2nd overall in 2 mile Theo Kamperides 10:20
4th overall in 2 mile Nathan Tassey 10:46
5th overall in 2 mile Andrew Bergin 11:10
5th overall in Long Jump Jake Caterer 19' 5.25"
The girls hockey team is 7 and 8, just one game off the playoff pace. The girls hockey beat Quincy/North Quincy 9-7 this week at Quincy Youth Arena. Shea Kelleher led the attack with 5 goals and 1 assist, Ellie Grady added 2 goals and 1 assist, Emily McDonald had 1 goal and 3 assists, and Alyssa Murphy added 1 goal and 1 assist. Kat Gilbert got the win in net. The game on Friday with Pembroke was postponed due to a power outage at the rink. The girls have a makeup game with Plymouth tomorrow Monday February 10th at 3:30pm.
The boys hockey team is enjoying their best season in many years but unfortunately saw their hopes of a league title disappear when they lost to Duxbury 5 to 2 Wednesday despite goals from Adam Solari and Chris Stoddard. The team is now 12 and 5 as they head to Dedham later today at 5:15pm.
The WH Gymnastics team had their best meet of the season Saturday with a score of 126. The girls also received the Patriot League Sportsmanship award. Coach Alison Vance was awarded Patriot League Coach of the Year. Highlights include Sarah Bombardier's 8.8 vault and 8.5 bar routine. Sarah also placed 8th in the AA for the league. Madison Scaccia placed 3rd on vault with an 8.5 and Abby Walsh placed 2nd on vault with an 8.6. Riley Getchell was honored as the team's scholar-athlete and Savannah Poirier was given the team sportsmanship award.
The Whitman Hanson girls basketball team (12-5, 8-5) defeated Duxbury 63-53 on Friday night. The Panthers were led on Senior night by Seniors Olivia Martin (15 points on 5 three pointers) and Brittany Gacicia (19 points). Junior Rylie Harlow (15 points) and Sophomore Megan Stone (11 points) also were in double figures for the Panthers. The Panthers wrap up Patriot League play next Thursday night at Silver Lake.
The boys basketball team’s 13 game winning streak was temporarily interrupted Friday night by a power outage at Duxbury. That game will be made up Wednesday at home. If the Panthers win they would clinch at least a share of the Patriot League title. Before that game though the Panthers have to travel into the city on Monday to take on a tough O’Bryant team at 5:30pm. On Tuesday, Seniors Liam Keane and Tommy Vassil both had 12 points to lead the Panthers (15-2, 11-1) to a 62-35 win over Plymouth South.
Sports Short Wrap Up 2/3/20 - 2/9/20
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