The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
November 18, 2018 - Volume 1 - ISSUE 11
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
November 21-23 – Thanksgiving Break
November 26 l- Winter Sports Start
November 29 - Delayed Opening
November 29 – Grade 8 High School Orientation 6:30PM
November 30 - Career Connections Fair 8:30AM – 9:30AM, in the Library.
December 6 – National Honor Society Induction 6:30PM in Performing Arts Center
December 7 - Early Release – professional development
December 11 – High School Winter Concert 7:00PM in Performing Arts Center
December 13 - Delayed Opening
December 22 - January 1 – Holiday BreakIt's THAT Time of Year!
Get Involved and Make a Difference!
The Panther Education Trust (PET) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), community-based organization committed to enriching the quality of public education at the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School (WHRHS). We do this through sponsoring community-based events and by raising money that is used to fund programs that enrich the educational experiences for all of the students at WHRHS.
Funds for the PET's programs are generated through fundraising activities, individual contributions, grants, and in-kind donations from local and national businesses.
Next Meeting:
Monday, Dec 3rd
7:00pm @ Meadowbrook Restaurant, Hanson
Like and follow the Panther Ed Trust Facebook Page for upcoming news and events.
Dr. Christopher Jones
Avoid Assumptions With Patience
How many times do we assume what a person is thinking? How often do we put our own belief system on someone and them judge them against it?
This week I talk about the importance of treating people as they are...fellow human beings who are trying to get through life; just like us. It's important to understand that there is always a deeper story behind someone's actions.
Without knowing what it is, we should look to support rather than judge and that comes from patience and understanding that our perception isn't just the only one, but probably not the right one.
Watch the video, take the challenge, and challenge others to follow suit.
Our Story...
Take a look and feel free to comment...this is our story...and everyone is part of it.
Counseling - Mrs. Ruth Carrigan
Whitman-Hanson Career Connections Fair
Students in grades 9 – 12! Thinking about what you might want to be when you grow up? Maybe you’ve thought about it, but just aren’t sure where to start. The School Counseling office invites you to the annual Career Connections Fair on Friday, November 30th in the library during A block (8:30 – 9:30). Come talk to some really cool professionals and see what their careers are all about! All are welcome to join us for an hour of informative conversation and displays! The program will feature approximately 25 career professionals representing fields of business, management, marketing, law enforcement, art and design, protective services, health care, architecture, communications, skilled trades (HVAC, electrician), technology, and more! Research shows that the single most popular influence on students’ career paths is exposure to various careers. You might find something that will spark your passion! Students in all grades are encouraged to attend. Check your e-mails from the School Counseling office for our sign-up form and permission slips! Any questions can go to Ms. Carrigan or Mr. Jeghers in the counseling office. Sign up for the Career Connections Fair by following this link: Career Fair Sign Up!!
Dual Enrollment - Bridgewater State University and Massasoit Community College – Spring 2019
Information is now available for Spring 2019 Dual Enrollment classes at Bridgewater State University and Massasoit Community College. Dual Enrollment gives high school students (primarily grades 11 and 12) an opportunity to take college classes and receive both high school and college credit. At BSU, this program is open to qualified students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with a GPA of 2.50 – 2.99 will be considered on a case by case basis. Massasoit Dual enrollment is available to students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Instructions and application materials were sent to grade 11 and 12 student email accounts earlier this month. After reading these documents, interested students should contact their counselors with any questions. The deadline to apply for the Bridgewater State Dual Enrollment Program is November 27, 2018.
Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Foundation (MAHOBY) – Deadline - November 30, 2018
The Massachusetts Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Foundation (MAHOBY) is once again sponsoring a leadership conference the weekend of June 7 – June 9th at Bentley University in Waltham, MA. Participating in this program is a great opportunity for grade 10 students to grow as leaders and bring those skills back to Whitman-Hanson. Sophomores interested in representing WHRHS as our candidate at this state-wide leadership program, should submit a brief written statement (no more than 200 words) to their counselor by November 30, 2018. The statement should include the student’s reasons for hoping to participate in the MA HOBY leadership program. If you'd like more information about the MAHOBY program, please visit the website at http://www.hoby.org/programs/leadership-seminars/ or contact your counselor.
Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Exam
All graduating seniors are eligible to compete for the ALF-CIO scholarship. To qualify, students must register on-line by December 14, 2018 at: www.massaflcio.org/scholarships The exam will be administered at Whitman-Hanson on Wednesday, February 6, 2019.
Project Contemporary Competitiveness – PCC
PCC is a residential summer enrichment program (4 or 6 week program sessions are available) held at Stonehill College. PCC applications are now available in the School Counseling Office, and any student currently in 7th, 8th, 9th or 10th grade may apply! Completed applications are due to the WH School Counseling Office on January 17, 2019 and should include a $25 deposit, scholarship application, and essay. For more information about PCC, please check out their website at https://pccasp.org.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s school counselor.
#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!
All the world language teachers for... "making the third floor so colorful and welcoming! The Day of the Dead decorations are beautiful and the gratitude poster that their students made is inspiring!" - Mrs. Sarah Seldomridge
Upcoming Events!
The Habitat for Humanity Club has been very busy this November. We have been selling Yankee Candles to raise money for South Shore Habitat for Humanity. Another event we are participating in is at at Father Bill’s, a homeless shelter in Quincy. We will be providing and serving a meal there. We are also going to be helping to build a house in Duxbury on November 24th for a family who is fortunate enough to receive a Habitat Home. All of us involved in Habitat for Humanity are excited for these events and encourages anyone to join the club. Come, get involved, and become a part of helping the community! Contact Ms. Finn for more information.
Post Graduate Program - Mrs. Catherine Bouzan
Post graduate program Updates!
On a recent visit to the internship job sites at Marshalls, the store manager Deb Enos, made sure to pull me aside to tell me that "Your team make a huge difference here at Marshalls. We would be lost without them." In addition, students at Brockton Hospital continue to be given new jobs because the kitchen staff know they can depend on our students to get the job done efficiently and with a happy attitude. Finally, Jamie's managers continue to thank me when I visit for sending our students. Their restaurant loves the morale and dedication our students bring each day. It needs to be said that none of this would be possible if it was not for our job coaches Carol Cook, Deb Keeman, Sue Wadman and Gail Walsh. Their passion to guide our students each and every day to ensure their happiness and success never cease to amaze me. Our Post-Grads are in the best hands when they are out in their communities because of these dedicated women.
On Fridays our Post-Grads attend the Transitions at Bridgewater State University (T@B) Program. This past Friday I had the honor of running the weekly workshop. Our topic was First Aid. Over 80 students gave their all as they participated in discussions and practices of how to recognize a 911 situation vs. a non-emergency situation. We also practiced calling 911 (including what we would say and how we would say it). Students were also charged with looking up the non-emergency numbers for their home/town or city. With the help of our WH Post-Grads everyone made posters to have as a resource!
Mrs. Margaret Baker & Mrs. Kathleen Joyce
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
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 the month of December.
Flu Information
Flu season has returned! 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 generally free with a copy of your child’s insurance card.
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 either Ms. Baker at 781-618-7452 or Mrs. Joyce at 781-618-7430 with 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 - Mr. Bob Rodgers
We will be adding another date to their banner soon!
We also wanted to touch base with some important information about Thanksgiving football. Parking is always an issue on Thanksgiving but it doesn’t have to be. We have plenty of parking up at the school and in most cases it is a shorter walk to the field from those parking lots than if you were to park on Franklin Street. It is also much safer for you and your family. Please be sure you abide by all parking signs as both Whitman and Hanson police strictly enforce parking regulations in order to keep everyone safe.
We will have 3 gates open for your convenience. Most lines will have an exact change lane so please have the correct amount ready and your line will move very fast. Tickets are $10 for everyone (4th grade and under enter free as long as they are accompanied by an adult).
Our new scoreboard will be a central component to this great day. If you haven’t seen it yet, our scoreboard has a giant LED full color video screen – the largest of its kind at any high school in Massachusetts. If you would like to put something on the board it is very reasonably priced. For just $25 your ad will run at least 4 times and for $100 your ad will run for an entire half. If you want it to run within the regular rotation the entire game the cost is $200. You can design your own page or have us do it. Football parents may want to congratulate their child on such a terrific season. Parents of other student athletes may want to do the same or wish a winter team good luck. You can announce college plans or any other message you want. Alumni may want to post a picture from your team back in the day.
This is the link you use to place the ad. Deadline for placing an ad is Wednesday 11/21 at 12pm. https://fs17.formsite.com/WHathletics/form62/index.html . This link is also available at www.whathletics.com.
Kickoff for the football game is 10am and gates open at 9am.
Finally, it is imperative that all student athletes who plan to play a fall sport get all their obligations taken care of. Check the list in the athletic hallway. If your name is not on the list you are not signed up and cannot tryout.
WH Cheerleaders Win State Championship!
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