The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
December 2, 2018 - Volume 1 - ISSUE 12
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
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 BreakNational Honor Society Induction!
The National Honor Society will induct new members on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m., December 6 in the Dr. John F. McEwan Performing Arts Center. Foreign Language Teacher Cara Dempsey will be honored as this year’s faculty inductee! Juniors and seniors were selected on the basis of their scholarship, leadership, character and service. All are welcome to attend, and a light reception will follow in the library.
Ski Trip Reminder!
Students should have money and ski forms for the WH Ski and Snowboard Club trip slated for January 12 to Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire by Tuesday, DECEMBER 4th. Monies and forms should be given to Ms. Julie Giglia in Room 331. If parents of WH students are interested in taking the bus and skiing with the WH Ski and Snowboard Club please email Julie Giglia.
The Giving Tree!
It'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.
DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS TAKING ORDERS FOR GIFT CARDS
Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars will be processing orders for gift cards this holiday season as part of its fall fundraising drive. Interested individuals will be able to order gift cards from over 300 nationwide merchants. DFS will receive a commission for selling the cards while the recipient will receive the full face value of the gift card.
Individuals interested in placing an order may do so by stopping by the Whitman Town Clerk’s Office. Gifts card orders submitted by December 4th will be delivered on December 8th. Gift cards ordered by December 11 will be delivered on December 15th. Payments should be in the form of a check or cash.
Currently, DFS places gift card orders every other month for its board members. Members use the gift cards as gifts for family or friends or toward everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, prescriptions, and restaurants.
Community Event!
Whitman-Hanson WILL is hosting an evening community meeting to bring together students, parents and the community as a whole to learn about and address concerns of substance use affecting our communities. WH WILL is a substance use prevention coalition serving the towns of Whitman and Hanson.
Please join the coalition on Tuesday, December 4th at 6PM in the library at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. This meeting will provide attendees with the opportunity to have a voice in how we address substance use within Whitman and Hanson including solutions-based approaches to tackling issues such as vaping, underage drinking and the opioid crisis.
Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP by November 30th if you are able to attend: https://goo.gl/forms/CZnI53MxYBvInpBD2
Dr. Christopher Jones
Commit to Yourself
We often get caught up in fulfilling the expectations of others instead of what makes us proud to be our authentic selves. It is important to realize that for us to attain this state we need to commit to what will make us better...before we see the results.
We tend to get it in the wrong order. We are willing to commit only after we have seen positive results. We need to realize that commitment is the genesis of positive results and as a result pride in who we are as individuals.
We all need to spend more time defining, acting on, and fulfilling the expectations we have for ourselves rather than those that others for us. Can you relate or do you see this happening with people around you? Watch the video to hear more!
I would love to hear your comments!
Our Story...
Take a look and feel free to comment...this is our story...and everyone is part of it.
Assistant Principal - Mr. Floeck
National Assessment of Educational Progress
The National Assessment of Educational Progress will be contacting us in early December to notify us of which 12th grade students were selected to participate in the math assessment on January 31, 2019. Some selected students will take the assessment on a computer while others will take a pencil/paper assessment. Once we receive the list of names we will be reaching out to students and parents to let them know they have been selected, by NAEP, to participate.
NAEP is considered the gold standard of assessments because of its high technical quality. From the development of assessment frameworks and questions to the reporting of results, NAEP represents the best thinking of assessment and content specialists, state education staff, and teachers from around the nation. NAEP is a trusted resource that measures student progress and helps inform policy decisions that improve education in the United States.
NAEP results are reported from different demographic groups rather than individual students or schools. Within a school, just some of the student population participates, and student responses are combined with those from other participating students to produce the results. Student responses on NAEP are confidential, and the privacy of each participating school and student is essential. Names of participating students never leave the school and are not associated with the digital or paper test booklet after the student takes the assessment.
Counseling - Mrs. Ruth Carrigan
Whitman-Hanson Career Connections Fair
The Whitman-Hanson School Counseling Department sponsored a Career Connections Fair on Friday morning, November 30th. Approximately 150 students, grades 9 – 12, had a chance to meet representatives from more than 25 different professions. In small group settings, students had the opportunity to speak with these professionals, ask questions, and find out more about careers of interest. This program, part of the comprehensive school counseling curriculum at WHRHS, helps students make the connection between employability skills that lead to success in school and in the job market. Thanks to all who participated!
Panther Alumni Day
On Friday, December 21st, WHRHS Class of 2018 graduates, will be visiting the high school for Panther Alumni Day. During their visit, they will have an opportunity to share advice with current WHRHS students about making the most of high school and the successful transition to college, the military, or career training. Teachers will be able to sign up their last period classes for the program.
College Admissions Seminar
Please join us for Whitman-Hanson’s annual College Admissions Seminar that will be held on Thursday, January 10th at 6:30 p.m. This program will be an informative and interesting evening with presentations by college admissions professionals. Representatives from Harvard University, Boston College, The University of Massachusetts - Boston, and Massasoit Community College are expected to participate. Topics to be covered include Opportunities at Two-Year Colleges, The College Search Process, The College Application Process, Selective College Admissions, and The College Essay. The program is open to all students, however we especially encourage sophomore and junior students and parents to attend the WHRHS College Admissions Seminar.
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!
"The application essays for the English Honor Society were a joy to read. The work we do with our students does not go unrecognized by them. Ms. Ladoceur and Ms. Zuzevich were commended for their inspiring students to read, and read, and read. Mr. Bob Rogers was honored by a story of inspirational novels which he read with and discussed with his basketball team. And Ms. Cordo was thanked for sharing her passion in Creative Writing. We are an amazing Pre-K through 12 team, but it’s still pretty great to hear about it sometimes." - Ms. Danielle Diogenes
"I would like to give a huge shout out to Dr. Schneeweis for creating time and space for general and special educators to collaborate across curriculum areas to share ideas, challenges and strategies to support our students." - Ms. Pamela Sergio
Model UN - Mr.Brian Walsh
Advanced Placement Goes to the Theater!
On Thursday, November 29, all the AP Language and Composition classes traveled to the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island to see this year’s production of A Christmas Carol.
Athletics - Mr. Bob Rodgers
The winter sports season is underway with students participating in 10 different sports. Many of these offerings do not have cuts and we do allow students to join non cut sports late. If you or someone you know is looking for a way to get involved in Whitman-Hanson and have a meaningful team experience, have them contact me and I will be glad to introduce them to the coach and tell them how they can join.
As a reminder, all athletic schedules are available at www.whathletics.com . In addition, we frequently send updated information on twitter @whathletics . All parents and students should be sure to follow us.
We are past the midway point of the first semester and students are reminded that they must always maintain good grades in order to participate. The coaches will always let a student arrive late to practice in order to make up work or get extra help. In addition, part of the commitment of being on a team is the promise to abide by the chemical health rule. Maintaining a drug free life (no alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, vap or other drugs) is a key component to not only a successful athletic career but also a successful life. The complete rule is available at www.whathletics.com .
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