The Panther Press
Official Newsletter of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Welcome!
October 20, 2019 - Volume 2 - ISSUE 8
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
October 22 - Music Department “Fall Concert” at 7:00 p.m. in the P.A.C.
October 24 – Delayed Opening
October 31 – Quarter 1 Ends
November 1 – Early Release – District Grading Day, Quarter 2 Begins
November 6 – Quarter 1 Progress Report Grades available on Parent Portal, book Parent-Teacher Conferences via
November 6-8 – MCAS ELA Retest
November 7 – Delayed Opening
November 11 – No School – Veteran’s Day
November 13-14 – MCAS Math Retest
November 14 – Early Release – Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 15 – WHRHS Red Cross Blood Drive
November 21 – Delayed Opening
November 26 – Rally
November 27-29 – Thanksgiving Break
December 2 – Winter Sports Start
December 6 – Early Release – District Professional Development
December 12 – Delayed Opening
December 23 – Alumni Day
December 23-January 1 – Holiday Recess
January 2 – Students Return from Holiday Recess
MCAS Results Are In!
Get Your's Now!
Yearbooks are the best possible deal.
Price will go up October 25, 2019.
Parent Recognition Ads are available now. Choose from a variety of sizes and prices.
Senior photos and bios are due by Nov. 25.
All links and info needed are online 24/7 at https://whpanthers.wixsite.com/yearbook
2019-2020 SEPAC meetings
All meetings held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6-8pm
in the Whitman Hanson Regional High School library
Please check out our website for more information
November 12th – ExSel Presentation (ExSel – Excellence through Social Emotional Learning)
Focus: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and social awareness
January 14th –Anxiety Presentation Part 1 - Students (7-8pm Middle & High School)
February 11th – Anxiety Presentation Part 2 - Parents (7-8pm Middle & High School)
March 10th – BCBA Presentation (focus topic TBD) (7-8pm Middle & High School)
April 14th – Occupational Therapy Presentation
May 12th – Speech and Language Presentations on Language Pragmatics (meeting will be held in WHRHS Courtyard Café due to Arts in Bloom being held in the WHRHS library) (7-8pm Middle & High School)
Dr. Christopher Jones
You don't have to be a Panther. You get to be a Panther!
Just in case you didn't know, Whitman-Hanson participates in school choice. Creating a culture full of programs and opportunities for students that encourages others to attend is something we are beginning to talk about more than ever. We no longer want the fact that other students can join in and experience a better "fit" or different journey to their own personal success a loosely kept secret.
We are all so proud of the challenging academics, committed and supportive teachers, 39+ clubs, 51 athletic teams, and a culture of positivity and success. We believe all students have the experience of being a panther and all that goes with that name. Whitman-Hanson Regional High School has what many call "the it factor"!
Check out the video to see more! Please do us a favor and spread the word by sharing this video all over social media!
Think about it...your friends and their children too could get to be a Panther!
Our Story...
Take a look and feel free to comment...this is our story...and everyone is part of it.
Mrs. Ruth Carrigan
Common App Thursdays – With November 1 deadlines quickly approaching, seniors are reminded that Common App help is available in the school counseling office every Thursday during the month of October. Counselors will be available on a drop in basis during the school day 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.
AP Exam Registration Deadline
Students enrolled in AP (Advanced Placement) classes who will be taking AP exams in May are reminded that AP exam registration forms and exam fees ($94 per exam) were due on October 18. Students that receive free or reduced priced lunch are eligible for a reduced exam fee of $40 per exam. Information on payment plans can be found on the AP Exam Registration Forms that were sent home with students enrolled in AP classes earlier in the month. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Carrigan at Ruth.Carrigan@whrsd.org .
Getting Ready for College - Early College Planning - Our annual Getting Ready for College - Early College Planning workshop will be held in the PAC from 6:30 - 8:00 PM on Thursday, October 24th. This program is geared toward grade 9 and 10 students and parents and will cover Mass State College/University Admissions Standards, making the most of the high school experience, choosing classes to enhance the college application, Naviance Family Connection for college and career planning, and college admissions and services for students with disabilities.
Career Connections Fair - The 2019 Career Connections Fair is quickly approaching! Students are invited to attend on Friday, November 22, during D block. There will be a variety of professions, colleges, and other post-secondary opportunities attending. Careers represented include Healthcare, Public Service (Police, Fire, EMS), Sports and Entertainment, Video Production, Education, Human Services, Cosmetology, Business, Politics, Engineering, Trades/Unions, and more. This is a great opportunity for students to talk to professionals in careers they may be interested in. To sign-up for the career fair students should use this link https://forms.gle/qCNW2vHFxV2Rnwp48.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your school counselor.
Post Graduate Program - Mrs. Cathy Bouzan
Post Graduates take on Budgeting, Public Transportation, and Self-Determination!
The Post-Graduate and PLSD students headed to Boston this week to practice using public transportation, as well as, ordering lunch on a budget. Before leaving, the Post-Graduates worked in teams and created posters to demonstrate how they keep themselves safe in their communities. We are always in awe of their work ethic and positive attitudes. They so good at collaborating with each other to accomplish tasks! They will definitely take away some good experiences that carry over to their next unit on self-determination!
Ms. Kelly Tanis
Veteran's Day Donations!
The French Honor Society will be collecting toiletry items, socks, puzzle books, crafts, etc. that will be donated to the Brockton VA Hospital in honor of Veteran's Day. Donations will be collected until November 6 and boxes can be found in the library, the office, and room 272. Your generosity is greatly appreciated !
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
Mrs. Cathy Brunelle
What’s Happening This Month in the library
What to Read: New and Recommended books
It Takes a Village. Who’s Helping in the Stacks?
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
While most athletic seasons go for a few more weeks (football of course goes to Thanksgiving) our golf team wrapped up the year with a nice 2 stroke win over Duxbury in the Season finale to finish the year at 4-11. Senior Matt Korzec and Junior Aidan Miller will represent the Panthers at the division 2 qualifying round at Easton Country Club on Tuesday.
The Whitman Hanson girls soccer program is regarded as one of the most successful athletic program in the state. The girls defeated Patriot league opponent Plymouth North 2-1 this week and with the win secured the Patriot League (Keenan Division) title. Whitman Hanson got on the board first when Riley Bina took a Kelsee Wozniak pass and fired it into the left corner of the net. Plymouth answered with a goal of their own to tie it 1-1. The score remained that way until Anika Floeck headed home an Alexis Billings corner kick(with 14 minutes remaining) for the game winner. Defenders Ava Melia, Erin Wood, Courtney Woodward and Sam Perkins were strong in front of goalkeepers Kylee Colclough (4 saves) and Reese Codero (2 saves). Olivia Borgen, Nora Manning and Kelsee Wozniak were outstanding in the attack. The girls went on to beat Silver Lake (Olivia Borgen had a hat trick) and Weymouth. The 4-0 win over Weymouth was particularly impressive as it avenged the teams only loss of the season.
The boys soccer team took 2 of 3 this week and moved closer to a post season berth. Jayden Stafford and Jason Brodeur scored the goals in two 1-0 wins (over Martha’s Vineyard and Plymouth North. The team is 8-7-1 and needs 2 points in the final three games to Make the tournament.
In cross country, In a tri-meet held Tuesday at Silver Lake Regional, the boys team improved to 5-3 with wins over Silver Lake (18-45) and Scituate (22-39). Junior Theo Kamperides finished first overall on the 2.81 mile course in a time of 16:14. Also scoring for the Panthers were Sophomore Nathan Tassey (16:58), Junior Chris MacDonald (17:08), and Seniors Adam Solari (17:09) and Nick Hanley (17:26.)
On the girls side (3-5) split a tri-meet, losing to Silver Lake 18-41 but downing Scituate 19-44. Sophomore Myah Kamperides was the top Panther finisher placing 3rd overall on the 2.81 Mile course in 20:09. Also scoring for the Panthers were Junior Bryn Miller (20:48), senior Tori Boss (20:57), Sophomore Anna Flynn (20:58), and Senior Tori Carleton (21:02.)
The Whitman-Hanson Field Hockey Panthers played on the road against the West Bridgewater Wildcats this week and lost 1-0. The Panthers controlled the ball for most of the game but, were unable to capitalize against the Wildcat defense and their goalie, Paul McCafferty. The Wildcats had one shot on net the entire game and they made it count. In the second half, one of the Wildcat forwards shot a high lob into the left corner of the goal. The Panthers created multiple chances to tie the game after the Wildcat goal, but the Wildcats were able to weather the offense storm of the Panthers. The team is 2-7-4.
Whitman Hanson volleyball put up a good fight Friday but ultimately fell to Rockland 3-0 (9-25, 24-25, 12-25). Sophomore Lily Welch was a stand out player leading the team in kills with 4, solo blocks with 3 and block assists with 4. Junior Sophia Berardinelli was another crucial player tallying 10 assists. Seniors Maya Faich and Brooke Beauregard both tallied an impressive 10 digs each from the back row. The panthers are now 8-6 in the league and 11-7 overall. The team has already clinched a playoff spot and are back in action on Tuesday when they face Abington.
In football, Declan Hanaphy recorded a safety and Tommy George scored a touchdown but it wasn’t enough Duxbury won the league title with a 41-8 win Friday. CJ Guiliani carried the ball 18 times for 91 yards. The Panthers look to rebound hie week vs Hingham on Senior Night. Please follow us on twitter as the date and time of the game is still in question due to the triple E Ban.
Finally our cheerleaders technically came in second in their first competition of the season on Saturday as Duxbury squeaked by on a tiebreaker at the Braintree Invitational. The two teams finished with the same score.
Sports Short Wrap Up 10/7/19 - 10/14/19
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