The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
September 22, 2019 - Volume 2 - ISSUE 4
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
September 26 - Delayed Opening
September 27 - Coffee with Counselors – Grade 9 Parents 7:30 Courtyard Café
September 28 - Miles for Meals
October 5 - SAT at WHRHS
October 10 - Delayed Opening
October 14 - No School – Columbus Day
October 15 - Lifetouch Picture Retakes – Grade 9-11 PAC
October 16 - Credit for Life – Grade 12, PSAT – Grades 10 & 11, Freshman Elections & Presentation – Grade 9
October 18 - Early Release – District Professional Development
Stories and Videos About Vaping
Please talk openly to students about vaping and the associated dangers.
We can never turn back the clock, but instead focus on good decisions and actions for the future. Please help us by communicating with your students about the very real dangers.
Vaping an epidemic in US high schools
High school fads come and go, but one trend most concerning right now is the prevalence of e-cigarettes in high schools. Vaping, which is being concealed by students, has become insidious. Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us inside.
Source: CNN"With very little regulation, people are not fully aware of what they're consuming."
Amid an 'epidemic' of school vaping, a search for solutions
Dr. Christopher Jones
What Are You Focused On?
How often do we approach something in life where we are worried more about not failing than succeeding? We are very good at achieving what we focus on in life. Unfortunately, that focus is usually in the form of concern or worry about failure; so we get exactly that. Instead, try these three things...and then watch the video for a more general message about this topic.
Play offense instead of defense
Don't hold back thinking that if you just go after your goal a little you will be safe from a large failure. It has to do with a concern about only dealing with a little instead of a lot of embarrassment.
Stay positive from start to finish
Our outcome is often decided before we start because of our state of mind. You know those people who find everything that could go wrong instead of focusing on what can be done right. They stop you from stepping outside of your comfort zone, taking chances on yourself, and reaching new heights.Don't be that person! Yes, pay attention to what can go wrong, but believe you can push past and achieve your goal.
Dust yourself off and keep trying
Don't let setbacks or early failures stop your progress. Instead, learn from them and use them to get right back on track with an increased sense of understanding. Don't be embarrassed by failure. Everyone fails at something. Be different than most by accepting, learning from, and improving from the experience. Don't be comfortable with failure, but don't let it stop you. Let it teach you how to be better.
The important thing to remember is that we have to master our own feelings and self talk if we are going to achieve the highest level of success possible for ourselves. If we are negative and focus on having fell short than we will continue to play safe and internalize the embarrassment. If we are positive and accept that we may have not hit our goal, but we tried, learned, and still working toward it, then we will eventually succeed.
I know what I would rather focus on. How about you?
Our Story...
Take a look and feel free to comment...this is our story...and everyone is part of it.
Mr. David Floeck
Safety/Security
I wanted to remind all parents and visitors to the school that they must check in to the security office with a valid license before entering the building. Students who arrive to school after the 7:05 start must also check in to the security office and must present their student identification to enter the building. Our security staff doesn’t know every student in the building so they must check student IDs to insure that student attends the high school. All students should have a student ID; if they do not have an ID they should contact the security office (located in the main office of the high school) to obtain a new card. We appreciate your assistance as safety and security remains a top priority.
Mrs. Ruth Carrigan
Financial Aid/College Financing Workshop – Please join us in the PAC from 6:30 – 8:30 PM on Wednesday, September 25 to learn more about the financial aid process. A representative from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) will be presenting. This is an important program for any student or parent with questions about paying for college.
Freshmen Parent Coffee with the Counselors - Grade 9 parents/guardians are invited to attend our "Freshmen Parent Coffee with Counselors" on the morning of Friday, September 27, from 7:30 am – 8:30 am. In an informal setting, we will be discussing the transition to high school and will share tips for keeping your child on track for a successful high school experience. Please follow this link to register for the program: https://forms.gle/C1DieY7ai6nTxft38
Common App Thursdays – During the month of October, counselors will be available every Thursday on a drop in basis to provide help with the Common Application. Any seniors needing assistance with their Common Apps are welcome to stop by School Counseling Office during Academic Seminar or Lunch. If you need help after school, please check in with your counselor to make a plan.
College Fair – Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 1 for a regional college fair from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. This year the fair will be held at Silver Lake Regional HS, Route 27, Kingston, MA. Approximately 100 admissions officers representing colleges, universities, post-secondary schools, and military branches will be in attendance. Bring a bag to take home college admissions materials.
PSAT Administration – The PSAT will be administered to all students in grade 10 and 11 during the school day on Wednesday, October 16th. The PSAT/NMSQT assesses the critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills students need for college and beyond. The PSAT is a great practice for the SAT and will help determine college and career readiness of students.
Credit for Life Fair - - The Credit for Life Reality Fair will be held for members of the senior class on October 16 during the school day. The Credit for Life Fair is a nationally recognized program designed to help high school students develop personal financial management skills that they will use throughout their lives.
FAFSA Workshop for Seniors and Parents - Senior parents that would like assistance filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) are invited to attend our FAFSA Workshop on October 30 at 5 PM. Parents attending will work in WH computer labs to complete their FAFSA applications with the help of representatives from American Student Assistance. Space is limited and pre-registration is necessary. Please follow this link to sign up for the program: https://forms.gle/rYvHYP64XJZSfL9j9
Prudential Spirit of Community Award - Students in grades 5 - 12 who have made a difference through volunteering over the past year may want to apply for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award program. This prestigious award program has honored nearly 100,000 middle and high school students at the local, state and national level over the past 24 years for volunteer work. Applications are available at http://spirit.prudential.com/ or http://www.nassp.org/spirit. The deadline to apply on-line is November 5, 2019.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s school counselor. Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. Patricia Delph
"A huge shout out to Patty Delph. She has put a great deal of thought and work into setting Joseph up for success with his school service internships. She is very impressive! I appreciate how she thinks outside the box and takes the initiative when she knows what would work best for Joseph. Thank you Patty! You are a wonderful addition to the WH Post-Grad Program." - Mrs. Cathy Bouzan
Mrs. Brunelle
Freshmen Check Out The Library!
The Freshman class visited the library for orientation this month!
They learned:
- The Library is open from 6:40-4:00 Monday – Thursday and Friday until 3:15
- They can visit the library independently during their Academic Seminar or lunch
- Where we keep things including the approximately 20,000 books we have in our collection
- A refresher on how to use the card catalog
- How to access our on-line encyclopedia, newspapers and databases
- Where you can use the school’s specialty software to create projects
We are here to help!
Welcome to the Library Class of 2023!
If You Liked "A Long Way Down"...
Mrs. Amy Floeck
A Chance to be Heard!
Any student in grades 9-12 are welcome to participate in the annual VFW Voice of Democracy competition. This year’s topic is “What makes America great?” “Student entries should be submitted (along with a completed entry form and audio recording) to our local VFW Post 697. The deadline for both contests is October 31, 2019. A complete entry form along with the rules may be found here!
The Veterans of Foreign Wars address is:
VFW Post 697
95 Essex Street
Whitman, MA 02382
Ms. Tanis
Miles for Meals
The National Honor Society is sponsoring the 10th annual Miles for Meals 5K and One Mile Walk on Saturday, September 28 at 10:00am at the high school. Use this link to register!
If you can’t join us on the day of the race, donations (via Racewire) are also greatly appreciated. All proceeds go to the Whitman and Hanson Food Pantries, to help your neighbors in need. We hope to see you there!
Mrs. Catherine Bouzan
Every morning we start the day with a morning meeting to practice effective communication skills. We are learning that communicating is not just about talking but also listening so you can continue to add to the conversation!
Also, Post-Grads will be responsible for completing a monthly Internship Performance Reflection. Today we completed actively reading these reflections. Students were then charged with putting the big take-aways on the whiteboard and they nailed it—the Expected Behaviors we all need to have in order to keep a job!
Mrs. Margaret Baker & Mrs. Kathleen Joyce
~Panther Health Clinic~
Too Sick For School ? Sometimes it is a tough call as to when your child should stay home, so here are a few guidelines to help you make the decision whether or not you should keep your child home. We realize that many of you work outside the home and it is sometimes difficult to keep your child home. However keeping children at home when they are sick makes a tremendous difference in preventing the spread of illnesses throughout the classroom.
Fever:
Fevers are generally signs of infection. Your child’s temperature should be less than 100 degrees for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Motrin, before they can return to school. While your child is at home, encourage them to drink plenty of fluids and get rest, which will allow them to recover from their illness.
Stomach Ache, Vomiting, Diarrhea:
A child with vomiting and or diarrhea should be kept at home until their symptoms have resolved for approximately 12 hours, and the child has demonstrated they can keep food and liquids down.
Cold Symptoms, Cough, Sore Throat :
Your child may attend school if their symptoms are not associated with a fever. They should also be free from significant discomfort from their cold symptoms so they are able to participate in their schoolwork. If your child has symptoms of a persistent cough or thick, yellow/ green nasal discharge that lasts longer than a week or he/ she complains of an earache, you should consult your Doctor for possible treatment. If your child has been diagnosed with Strep throat, they may return to school after being on antibiotics for 24 hours to assure that their infection will not be contagious to others.
Red Eye:
Red, irritated, itchy eyes with drainage could be caused by a bacterial infection, allergies, or a virus. If the white part of the eye appears red and produces a yellow or green crusty discharge with matted lashes, your child may have conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis or “pink eye”, as it is commonly referred, is a contagious infection, which needs to be treated by a Doctor. Your child may return to school after 24 hours of prescribed treatment.
Absences:
Please call the sick line when your child is going to be absent. Send in any physician notes when your child is seen by his/her MD. If your child is out for 5 consecutive days, they must return with a physician note clearing them to return to school.
Assistive Devices:
In the school setting assistive devices are casts, crutches, orthopedic related boot and braces, wheelchairs, etc. Any student needing to utilize an assistive devise must have supporting physician documentation for such.
Dental:
Any student returning to school after a dentist or orthodontic appointment where a local anesthesia, numbing medication is used must have physician documentation to return to school.
Medication Administration:
Any student requiring medication to be administered at school by the school nurse must have written physician documentation and signed parent consent. Please note that students are not permitted to transport medication to/from school per the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District Policy, therefore an adult must deliver the medication to the school nurse. Please deliver the medication to the school nurse in a pharmacy or manufacturer labeled container, bottle or box. Please ask your pharmacy to provide a separate container/bottle/inhaler/epi-pen/diastat for school and home. No more than a thirty day supply of the medication should be delivered to the school.
If you are called to pick up your child because of illness, he/she must be picked up swiftly. Please be sure that Infinite Campus has the most recent up-to-date emergency contact information, so that we have someone who can act on your behalf, if we are unable to reach you. This person should live locally.
Thank you in advance for helping us ALL stay healthy!
WHRH School Nurses:
Margaret and Kathy
Athletics - Coach Bob Rodgers
Homecoming weekend is fast approaching and we want to give everyone a quick update. As of this writing, we are still under the dusk to dawn curfew. Assuming this holds through this Tuesday, the football game will be moved to 3pm on 10/5. This is also SAT Saturday so it is certainly not the ideal situation but there are not many other options. We will make an official announcement regarding the game on Wednesday. The dance will remain on Saturday regardless of whatever happens with the football game.
That same weekend we will welcome our first class of Whitman Hanson Athletics Hall of Fame inductees. The banquet will be held at Pembroke Country Club on Sunday October 6th at 5pm. Tickets may be purchased at www.whathletics.com .
Student-Athletes
Samantha Mewis, Class of 2011, Soccer
Sean Conover, Class of 2002, Football, Basketball and Track & Field
Noel James, Class of 2009, Football, Basketball and Track & Field
Dennis Lozzi, Class of 1970, Football and Track & Field
Mike Frisoli, Class of 1989, Football, Wrestling and Track & Field
Shayna Ross Micol, Class of 1996, Soccer, Basketball and Track & Field
Rob Clifford, Class of 1991, Football, Basketball and Track & Field
Coaches
Bob Bancroft, Football
Jim Daley, Girls Basketball
Kevin Black, Boys Cross Country, Boys Indoor Track and Boys Track & Field
Contributor
Sue Moss, Student-Athlete, Teacher, Coach and Athletic Department Assistant
Here is the latest from all of our teams….
Our girls soccer team still sits atop most of the polls after starting the season 5-0. The balanced scoring and strong defense make them a formidable squad. The On Friday, the Panthers beat Silver Lake on the road, 5-1. Kelsee Wozniak got things started when she broke through the Laker defense and slid the ball past the keeper just 1:23 into the match. Silver Lake responded with a goal of their own before Anna Sullivan put the Panthers back on top. Nora Manning and Zoe Cox also struck for goals in the first half as Whitman Hanson built a 4-1 lead. Olivia Borgen (3 assists) finished off the scoring in the second half to account for the 5-1 final. Ava Melia, Sam Perkins, Courtney Woodward and Erin Wood were all strong defensively helping keepers Kylee Colclough and Reese Codero earn the victory. Abby Carew, Alexis Billings and Delaney Hall all turned in strong performances.
Boys soccer is in the playoff hunt and should remain there all season with a lot of young talent which is balanced by some outstanding seniors. The team currently sits a 3-3-1 after falling to Silver Lake on Friday, 3-1 at home. Senior captain Jason Brodeur accounted for the only Whitman Hanson goal scoring on a penalty kick. The highlight of the week was a 3-0 home win over Martha’s Vineyard on Wednesday. W-H got onto the board with less than 8 to go in first half with senior captain Jason Brodeur scoring on a strong effort and assisted by sophomore Adam Sousa. To start the second, junior Joel Arsenault passed a free kick to junior Peyton Collins for the second for W-H. Not too long after Senior Jason Brodeur scores his second off a header on a free kick from junior Joel Arsenault.
The volleyball team is halfway to a post season berth picking up their 5th win of the season on Friday defeating Plymouth South 3-1 in a league game. Sophomore Lily Welch was unstoppable with 12 kills and 12 solo blocks; this is a season high for Welch. Senior Marissa Connell matched Welch with 12 solo blocks, and junior Delaney Rowell was another force at the net tallying 7 kills; the Panther’s front row was unstoppable in tonight’s match. However, the front row couldn’t have done it without their star setter, junior Caileen Hurley, who tallied an impressive 24 assists. Whitman Hanson is now 2-2 in the league and 5-2 overall. The girls are back in action on Monday when they travel to Silver Lake.
The field hockey team is still searching for its first win of the season but despite the record, the girls are working hard and sticking together. On Thursday, the team fell to 0-5-1 after losing to Silver Lake, 3-1. The Panthers scored early in the game thanks to Christina Short’s first goal of the season. The Lakers answered back immediately with a goal of their own to tie the game. The Lakers took the lead right before the half to make the score 2-1.
The WH golf team earned their third win on the season Thursday to improve to 3-4 overall defeating the Quincy Presidents, 259-318. Captain Matt Korzec found his swing and got back to his old ways by finishing as match medalist with an impressive even par 36, while fellow captains Ian Brown and Brian Fox both finished with a 6 over par. Finally, senior Christian Hall made his varsity debut contributing to the win with his 12 over par. Up next is a trip to Duxbury on Tuesday.
The Whitman-Hanson Boys Cross Country team improved to 2-0 with a close win at Plymouth North (1-1) Wednesday afternoon. James Doherty took first overall for Plymouth North on the 2.65 Mile course in a time of 13:58, followed by the Panthers Theo Kamperides in 14:07. Three of the next 4 spots went to Whitman-Hanson's Brandon Hager (4th,15:02), Nathan Tassey (5th, 15:07) and Adam Solari (6th, 15:18) to seal the victory. Also scoring for the Panthers was Chris MacDonald (9th, 15:32.)
Whitman-Hanson Girls Cross Country fell to 1-1 on the season in a loss at Plymouth North (1-1) Wednesday afternoon 27-29. The Panthers Myah Kamperides placed first overall on the 2.65 Mile course in 17:16, but Plymouth North took 4 of the next 5 spots. Tori Boss took 4th overall in 18:53 for the visitors, while Tori Carleton (7th, 19:21), Anna Flynn (8th, 19:24) and Bryn Miller (9th, 19:25) rounded out the scoring for Whitman-Hanson.
The football team got off to a slow start on Saturday afternoon in New Bedford spotting the Whalers to an early 14-0 lead on a couple of controversial plays. The Panthers got back into the game with an impressive third quarter drive capped off by a 2 yard touchdown run by CJ Guiliani. You can see the entire drive on our Instagram page (search WH Athletics). But New Bedford would come back for the final two scores of the game for the 27-7 victory dropping the Panthers to 0-3. Jason Murphy was 21-32 passing for 117 yard with Jonathan Zeidan catching 7 passes for 50 yards. Defensive Joe McStravick and CJ Guiliani had 7 tackles apiece. Up next the Panthers travel to Silver Lake on Saturday.
Sports Short Wrap Up 9/3/19 - 9/8/19
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