The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
March 3, 2019 - Volume 1 - 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
March 8 – Alumni/Community Band Concert -7:00 in the P.A.C.
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!
PET would like to thank the more than 75 community members and parents who participated in our LRC Tournament Fundraiser, Feb 2nd, at The Meadow Brook Restaurant. Proceeds from our fundraisers directly support High School students through enrichment programs and technology.
Most recently, we approved a grant from the Science Department for the purchase of 6 Thermal Imaging Infrared Cameras. We are excited for students to begin using this new technology in a variety of different classes: Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, Environmental Science, Engineering and Marine Biology.
PET is always looking for community members and parents to join us in our fundraising efforts. All are welcome to attend! Monthly meetings are at 7pm in the High School Library.
Next meeting dates: March 4th, April 1st, May 6th and June 3rd
Follow us on Twitter @PantherEdTrust
Like us on Facebook Panther Ed Trust
Thank you for your support!
DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS TO HOLD “A TASTE OF WHITMAN AND HANSON”
Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars will be celebrating the 12th Annual “A Taste of Whitman and Hanson” on Thursday, March 7, at the VFW Post #697 in Whitman from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Up to two dozen local restaurants and food service providers will be offering samples from their menu to the general public!
Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 at the door with limited capacity. Ticket sales begin on February 15th at Duval’s Pharmacy, Ford’s Insurance, Sandy’s Coffee Corner and the Town Clerk’s Offices in Whitman and Hanson. A list of participating restaurants will also be available at that time. All proceeds from the evening will benefit Dollars for Scholars in the form of scholarships at Awards Night.
For more information, please contact Michael Ganshirt at 781-252-9683.
Dr. Christopher Jones
Stopping the Burn!
It happens to us all at some point. We wonder why it seems as if we cannot get our goals accomplished; we are always tired; or we are always frustrated with what is happening around us. That's called burn out and it is often a pervasive problem that continues to dog a person until they take steps to counter it's detrimental effects.
I offer some of these steps in the weekly message. Remember that burn out is real and will make you consider and even act on some pretty bad choices when you are in it's grip. It may not be that your current situation is a bad one; just that you perceive the negatives larger and more numerous than they are and the positives as non-existent.
I talk more about it 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
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
Boston National College Fair
The Boston National College Fair will be held at the World Trade Center on April 4 and 5, 2019. This is a great opportunity to speak to college admissions representatives from colleges all over the country. The School Counseling Office will sponsor a field trip to the Boston National College Fair for Juniors on Thursday, April 4. The cost of the field trip will be $10 per student to cover transportation expenses. Permission forms for this field trip were given to juniors when school counselors visit their English classes for Junior College Planning in January.
SET in the City – The Boston Area Girls STEM Collaborative is offering an exciting day of career exploration for high school girls on Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 9 am – 5 pm. The program starts at Boston University. The cost is $30 per student, and there is a limit of 8 students per high school. For more information and to regisster, please go to www.bostongirlsstem.org/setinthecity.
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!
Food for Thought Club!
"On Thursday, 2/21, members of the Food for Thought Club came together and participated in the bagged lunch program for MainSpring House in Brockton. Together we fundraised and purchased all food items to make 100 bagged lunches for homeless residents. Every lunch included a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, fruit, chips, cookies and a bottle of water. Students also delivered lunches to the shelter. It was an incredible experience and something we look forward to doing again in the near future!
Participating members included: Liam Keane, Kaylee Diehl, Julia Harrington, Lexi Connolly, Marissa Connell, Max Borgen, Ben Rice, Maya Faich, Sadie Carew, Erin Wood, Peyton Collins" - Mrs. Courtney Selig
Mrs. Chelsea Smith and Mrs. Karen Geagan-Lopes
WH Students Attend Darwin Day at BSU!
Mrs. Smith organized a student trip to Bridgewater State University to attend their Darwin Day event. The students had a great day listening to two lectures by professors at the college, an Evolutionary Biologist and an Evolutionary Anthropologist. Students were also able to tour the exhibits in the science center. Check out some of the pictures!
English - Mrs. Amy Floeck
Upcoming Events!
Dorothy Dimascio-Donohue will represent Whitman-Hanson Regional High School at the Poetry Out Loud Semi-final competition on Sunday, March 3rd at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. We wish Dorothy the best of luck!
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.
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