Panther Press

May 28, 2024 - Volume 6 - ISSUE 30

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!

May 28: Senior Sunset 6:30PM - 8:30PM - more information to follow

May 29: Senior Quarter 4 Report Cards available on Parent Portal

May 29: Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal for Seniors 9:00AM

May 29: Senior District Parade 11:00AM

May 29: Scholarship Night 6:30PM - 8:00PM

May 30: Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal for Seniors 9:00AM

May 30: Senior Cookout following Graduation Rehearsal

May 30: CES Graduation 6:00PM

May 31: WHRHS Graduation 6:00PM

June 1: WHRHS Graduation Rain Date 12:30PM

June 4-5: Biology MCAS Grade 9 Students

June 7: District Early Release - Grading Day (WHRHS 10:15 dismissal)

June 10: Underclassman Class Elections - more information to follow

June 11: Underclassman Awards 7:30AM

June 11: Mental Health Day

June 12: Volleyball Tournament and Sophomore Cookout

June 13: District Early Release - Last Day of School (WHRHS 10:15 dismissal)

June 13: Quarter 4 Report Cards available on Parent Portal

May 28 - Senior Sunset 6:30-8:30PM Football Field (must sign-up to attend)

May 29 - Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal 9:00 AM at Turf Field

May 29 - Scholarship Night 6:30PM in Performing Arts Center - Seniors invited to attend should report to Student Dining at 6:00PM

May 30 - Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal 9:00 AM at Turf Field

Senior Class Cookout following Rehearsal

May 31 - Commencement Evening 6:00PM

All participants should plan to report to WHRHS Gym no later than 5:00 PM

Gates open for Ticketed Guests at 4:45PM

Gates open for Non-Ticketed Guests at 5:15PM

June 1 - Commencement Rain Date

All participants should plan to report to WHRHS Gym no later than 11:30AM

Gates open for Ticketed Guests at 11:15AM

Gates open for Non-Ticketed Guests at 11:45PM

Grade 9 students will take Science MCAS on Tuesday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 5, and we wanted to provide some important reminders.

Testing Rooms

Students should check their schedules, on Infinite Campus, to verify their testing room assignments. The MCAS testing room assignments are located at the bottom of the Master column for Semester 2.

Chromebooks

Students should bring their school issued chromebooks, fully charged, to their testing room. Students should also bring their chromebook chargers.

Attendance

It is important that students arrive on time and ready to work. The proctors will begin the testing session immediately and tardy students may not be allowed into the testing session as it will cause a disruption to the students working.

Cell phones and Smart Devices

Cell phones, smart watches and other smart devices are strictly prohibited during the testing sessions. Students will be instructed to turn off and place all devices in their backpacks. All backpacks will be placed in the back/side of the room and will remain there until the entire testing session has completed. At no time during the testing session, whether or not a student has finished their test, are students able to access their backpacks or any electronic devices. If a student is found with any electronic device during the testing session, they will be removed from the testing room and we are required to notify the state and their test may be invalidated.

We wish all our students taking the MCAS tests the best of luck. Get a good night's sleep and come prepared. A light breakfast will be available to all Grade 9 students prior to testing.

Annual Graduation WH Photo Fundraiser! Jennifer McAloney Photography has gracious offered to volunteer her amazing professional services and time to photograph any WH senior (in their cap & gown) on Thursday 5/30 immediately after Graduation practice right at WHRHS. One less thing to worry about on Graduation day! The last 4 years we set up in the junior path (great background and lighting) - and we move quickly!

A couple items you may find helpful:

1. Please tell your CHILD that you want them to attend this event--nothing worst than a note asking where your child’s photo is when they NEVER showed up! (There is no sign up)
2. We ask for a donation (of any amount - if you can’t afford anything it will be done for free!) Students can bring cash donations or checks (made out to Jennifer McAloney Photography) to the photo shoot. If you are Venoming, please include your child’s name (@Jennifer-McAloney or @Kerry-Martin-26)
3. Money collected will be donated to Whitman Hanson Athletics & Whitman Hanson Dollars for Scholars.
4. The day of the pics have your child bring her cap & gown to rehearsals (they can leave it in their car until after) then immediately from rehearsal we do pictures.
5. The link with all photos from this session will be posted to this Class of 2024 (Parents/Guardians Only) Facebook page with a PIN for you all to log in. Parents can download the photos and then print them from CVS, Snapfish, Shutterfly, etc…Parents/Students can then use them for Thank You Notes, Gifts, etc.
6. Some kids change (quickly) in between Graduation practice & the photo shoot, some just zip their gown up and smile! It all works out!
7. If possible, when the kids get their gowns please press them, or throw them in the dryer for a bit, etc…they are (typically) handed out at the school a couple days before our shoot.

Please spread the word. I have asked WHRHS Office to send the Senior Class an email with these details for those not on Facebook!

Note: this event is approved by WHRSD.

Any other questions, please reach out to Kerry Martin at: kcmartin@mgb.org

The Masked Panther is a creative sales promotion project managed by the Retail Merchandising class designed to drive traffic to The DEN during its end of year sale. For the third year in a row, over 15 faculty and staff members have created videos singing in disguise. Using the entry form available in the DEN, students will guess the identities for a chance to win a shopping spree in the school store to gear up in Panther merch. This year, we are inviting our entire WH community to vote for their favorites. Visit our website to cast your votes. The results will not only give the winners bragging rights, but will be used in a DECA competitive project to be presented at the Massachusetts State DECA Conference in March of 2025 in Boston. Thank you for your support!

VOTE NOW

Parents and friends of the Class of 2024 are invited to attend Dollars for Scholars 62nd Annual Awards Night being held on Wednesday, May 29, at 6:30 PM in the Dr. John F. McEwan Performing Arts Center at Whitman–Hanson Regional High School. One hundred and thirty students will be receiving $186,277 in DFS scholarships. The school and community scholarships will follow. For more information, please visit WhitmanAndHanson.DollarsforScholars.org.

Please find the following important informational items linked below. As always, do not hesitate to contact us if there are any questions or concerns.

Senior Parent Letter

Senior Event List

Do we ever stop, reflect, and express our gratitude for having struggled? I know that's difficult, but very valuable for me.

If you are wondering how or even why you should be grateful for struggling to reach your goals, check out the video. I would love to hear your opinion.

Mrs. Carrigan and Mr. Amado were recognized this week at the Plymouth County Education Association Awards Celebration held at Bridgewater State University. Mrs. Carrigan and Mr. Amado will be retiring from the school counseling department at the end of the school year. Mr. Amado has been working in the Whitman-Hanson district since 1990 and has been a school counselor at the high school for the past 27 years. Mrs. Carrigan spent the first 15 years of her education career in college admissions before becoming a high school counselor. This school year marks her 20th year as director of school counseling at WHRHS. We wish you all the best!

On Thursday, May 30th,joe Brian Stevens, Associate Director of Admissions from Rhode Island College, will visit WHRS to provide expert tips and advice on creating a great personal essay. Juniors will start initial work on the personal essay and will have a chance to be part of the College Essay Project in senior year. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school counselor.

The term for experiencing multiple feelings at once is "ambivalence". It's a state of internal conflict where someone has both positive and negative feelings or thoughts about a person or an issue at the same time.

It’s normal and common to hold opposing feelings at the same time, oftentimes with feelings that are layered with contradictions. It’s possible to be both angry and happy, sad and relieved, frustrated and grateful — all at the same time. It’s not wrong, it’s just the way we are wired. Our bodies and minds find a way to balance out emotions, striving to find the good in every situation.

Ambivalence often characterizes the emotional landscape of teenagers as they navigate the complexities of adolescence. Teenagers frequently find themselves caught between conflicting desires, aspirations, and expectations. They may oscillate between feelings of independence and a longing for guidance, or between the need for peer acceptance and a desire to assert their individuality. This ambivalence can be particularly pronounced in the face of major life decisions, such as choosing a career path or forging romantic relationships. Additionally, the rapid physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that occur during adolescence can intensify these conflicting feelings, contributing to a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability. Despite the challenges, navigating ambivalence can also foster self-awareness and resilience as teenagers learn to navigate the complexities of their evolving identities and aspirations.

As high school graduation approaches, many students grapple with a complex mix of emotions. While it marks the culmination of years of hard work and academic achievement, it also signifies the end of a familiar chapter and the beginning of a new, uncertain journey. Graduates may find themselves torn between excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead and apprehension about leaving behind the comfort and security of their high school years. This ambivalence often manifests as a blend of joy and nostalgia, hope and trepidation, as they navigate the transition into adulthood and the myriad of possibilities that await them beyond the school gates

School Counselors:

Mrs. Carrigan

Mr. Murphy

Mrs. Selig

Mrs. Cunha

Mr. Amado
Ms. Rivera (Administrative Assistant)

School Adjustment Counselors:
Mrs. Siden: Grades 10 & 12
Mrs. Robichaud: Grades 9 & 11

Transition Room Counselors

Mrs. Scheim

Ms. Dauksevicz

Last, but certainly not least, our final Senior Showcase artist is Connor Wozniak. Connor has worked incredibly hard at his craft. Over the past four years, it has been a pleasure to watch him grow, both as a kind, hardworking young man and as a confident artist ready to take on the art world. Connor will be heading to Savannah College of Art & Design to study animation. Push over Tim Burton, Connor is on his way.

See more of Connor's work.

The Masked Panther is a creative sales promotion project managed by the Retail Merchandising class designed to drive traffic to The DEN during its end of year sale. For the third year in a row, over 15 faculty and staff members have created videos singing in disguise. Using the entry form available in the DEN, students will guess the identities for a chance to win a shopping spree in the school store to gear up in Panther merch. This year, we are inviting our entire WH community to vote for their favorites. Visit our website to cast your votes. The results will not only give the winners bragging rights, but will be used in a DECA competitive project to be presented at the Massachusetts State DECA Conference in March of 2025 in Boston. Thank you for your support!

VOTE NOW

In a recent lesson on public relations, Mr. De Santes demonstrated for his marketing class the intersection of publicity and social media by reaching out to a media contact in his LinkedIn account from his own days working as a publicist. On that list, Dan Rea, a long-time WBZ newscaster in Boston now hosts a nightly radio program and podcast on WBZ 1030am and posted a call for experts on teaching financial literacy in high schools. After a targeted pitch explaining that Whitman Hanson is one of only 17 schools in the state that requires financial literacy to graduate, the two connected and Mr. De Santes was invited to be a guest on the nationally syndicated evening show. In addition to answering questions on the ground-breaking program Ms. Giglia helped design at WH, Mr. De Santes explained the value and benefits of this course and what it means for our students.

https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/featured/nightside-with-dan-rea/content/2024-05-04-1002-nightside-with-dan-rea-high-school-financial-literacy/

Students in Mrs. Cahill's Spanish class learned some new vocabulary while enjoying the Spring weather this week. Students shouted out in Spanish and marked their Lotería boards as they saw items on their walk.

Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.com) offers free online courses for all ages and subjects. If you are interested in brushing up on your math skills this summer, take a look at their ‘Getting Ready for’ math series:

Getting Ready for Algebra I

Getting Ready for Algebra II

Getting Ready for Precalculus

Getting Ready for AP Calculus

Getting Ready for AP Statistics

IXL

Students will have access to their IXL accounts throughout the summer. This is a great way to keep concepts and skills fresh in order to set yourself up for success next year. Whether you work on individual skills, your diagnostic generated recommended skill plan or one of the many preset skill plans provided, IXL is a great tool to strengthen your skills and understanding.

Summer STEM

Students looking to further their STEM learning can find many opportunities to do so in the Boston area. Check out MIT Summer Programs for a few local opportunities.

The class of 2024 walked out of our doors for the final time on Friday but we still have more time with them as we gear up for graduation and of course some post season play.

To our seniors, if you played even one season of a sport in your time here at WH, I would appreciate it if you could fill out this form https://forms.gle/KCjag1eBVnho7iEM7 . This information will be used for senior awards, our Senior Athletic Yearbook and video. Deadline to be included is next Tuesday at 8am. This information was also emailed to all senior on May 10th so most have probably filled it out already.

Also, if you plan to play a sport in college, we will be taking a group photo on the first day of graduation rehearsal. Please wear something from your college that day so you can be part of this. You do not need to be a scholarship player and it doesn't matter what level.

All of our spring sports teams have concluded their final regular season games and now its off to the post season for many of them. For those teams who did not qualify, I can honestly say it has been a great experience watching you represent our school.

The boys tennis team qualified for the post season with an 8-8 record and earned the right to face Algonquin on Tuesday at 4pm. I'll be heading out there to bring you updates.

Our baseball team, Boys Lacrosse Team and Girls Lacrosse team will all learn their playoff fate Wednesday. We will post the information on twitter and facebook (@whathletics).

Seniors Brianna Codio and Sky Anderson closed out their high school track careers with outstanding performances at Saturday's Division 3 Track and Field Championship at Bridgewater State University. Brianna placed 16th overall in the Shot Put with her throw of 31' 1", while Sky ran a season best in the Mile of 5:36.04 to finish 19th overall in the event. Next up for the team is the season's final meet, the Girls Heptathlon, being held at South Weymouth High School on June 3rd and 4th in which six athletes will compete in seven different events over two days.

Division State Meet Division 3 continued Saturday at Bridgewater State University. Senior Captains Jake Cappelletti and Alex Kehayias did well against the top competition from the Division 3 schools. Jake Long Jumped 19’8 and Hurdled in 16.99. Alex threw the javelin 131’10”. Both boys will continue their season in the Decathlon a 10 event challenge over two days.

Last but not least, good luck to our Unified Track and Field team as they travel to Natick for the State Championship meet today. We will have a full recap that evening.

Interested in more videos, reflections, and where a many of these ideas come from and are expanded on? Don't forget to check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel.

Email: christopher.jones@whrsd.org
Website: https://whs.whrsd.org/
Location: 600 Franklin Street, Whitman, MA, USA
Phone: (781) 618-7020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCSJones
Twitter: @DrCSJones