The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
March 10, 2019 - Volume 1 - ISSUE 23
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 14 - Delayed Opening
March 18 – Spring Sports Start
March 21 - Naviance Night Grades 10 & 11 Parents 6:30PM in Computer Labs
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 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
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.
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:
March 11th, 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
Mrs. Ruth Carrigan
Mrs. Carrigan Recognized by the College Board!
The College Board is pleased to recognize Ruth Carrigan from Whitman-Hanson Regional High School as an exemplary Professional School Counselor for the 2019 College Board Counselor Recognition Program. As a token of appreciation, Ruth received a lapel pin and a letter of recognition during National School Counseling Week from College Board. It’s an honor to highlight the important work of innovative, results-oriented counselors who are committed to student success and opportunity.
Dr. Christopher Jones
Words Matter...After...
All too often we focus on how much we are talking when we think about communication. We think about how to better express ourselves and practice effective ways to get our point across.
This weeks message is the first of a three part series addressing communication. It starts with the essential aspect that has little to do with how we talk or what we say. It has to do with listening and valuing the other person or people. Its about the fact that our words do not matter until we show the other person how much they matter by listening rather than waiting to speak; listening neutrally; and practicing silence.
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
Course Selection
Course selection for the 2019/2020 school year is underway! All students currently in grades 9 – 11 should enter their course selections into Infinite Campus from March 8 - March 15. Recommendations for major academic classes will be made by current classroom teachers. Students are responsible for entering PE and all elective course requests. Students received course selection information and instructions on 3/7. Please contact your school counselors for help with any questions. Follow this link for the 2019/2020 Program of Studies.
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
A scholarship assembly for seniors was held on Friday, March 1, 2019. Information was presented on both Dollars for Scholars and Local and Community Scholarships. Applications for Local and Community Scholarships are available on the WHRHS website and are due to the school counseling office on 4/3/19.
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 3/15/19.
Naviance Night
The WHRHS School Counseling Office is pleased to invite grade 10 & 11 parents/guardians to Naviance Night for Parents on Thursday, March 21, 2019. This program includes a hands-on workshop in WHRHS computer labs that will teach you how to do conduct a comprehensive on-line college search. You will get acquainted with Whitman-Hanson’s Naviance Family Connection program that offers:
- College Match – narrows down choices by location, size, surroundings, and more.
- College Look Up – read profiles of specific colleges
- Scattergrams – matches your student’s GPA and SAT scores with recent graduates to find great college choices for your child
Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first served basis. Please use this link to register: Register for Naviance Night
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!
Mr. Mike Costa!
"I wanted to send a Thank you shout out to Mike Costa! Often in special education you all are asked to complete paperwork, attend meetings, cover MCAS, provide input about students. In the last two weeks Mike was asked to do all of those additional roles at once (sometimes with little notice J), and I appreciate his time and effort. Thanks Mike!" - Dr. Nicole Semas-Schneeweis
Ms. Kelly Tanis
Librarian/Media Specialist - Mrs. Catherine Brunelle
English - Mrs. Amy Floeck
Upcoming Events!
The 2019 Spellman Oratorical Competition will be held in the John McEwan Performing Arts Center on March 25th at 6:30 PM. Any student interested in participating must attend the tryout on February 27th at 1:45 in the Small Lecture Hall. Please see your English teacher for additional information.
Ms. Kelly Tanis
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!
Athletics - Coach Bob Rodgers
Whitman- Whitman-Hanson Regional High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Jordan McDermott as the new varsity softball coach. Coach McDermott spent the last 3 seasons as the head coach at Massasoit and led the Warriors to the Region 21 championship in 2018. Massasoit advanced to the NJCAA Division III District H tournament, falling to host Anne Arundel CC in Arnold, Maryland.
Coach McDermott, who works as a para professional at Indian Head Elementary School in the Whitman-Hanson school district, was a three-year starter and All-MASCAC selection at Bridgewater State in both softball and soccer and served as a captain during her senior season in each sport.
In softball she finished her three-year career with a .304 batting average and had 42 stolen bases in 52 attempts. A versatile player, McDermott saw time both in centerfield and at shortstop. Her senior year she hit a career best .331 along with swiping a team-best 17 steals, only being caught once, leading the Bears to a 29-13 record. Coach McDermott graduated from Bridgewater State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a concentration in recreation.
“I am excited to share my passion and love for the game with the students of Whitman-Hanson. I looked forward to getting to know the players and work with them to achieve their goals. We will create a positive environment focused on fundamentals, chemistry and fun,” McDermott said.
Whitman-Hanson plays in the Keenan Division of the Patriot League and tryouts for the season begin on Monday March 18th.
Note: Information for this press release was taken from the Massasoit and Bridgewater State websites.
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