Super News

Dear Panther Families-

Hot days ahead first half of this week!

The middle of May is a time full of presentations, celebrations, and opportunities for students to demonstrate their hard work, learning, and talent. As I have traveled around the buildings, I've seen students sharing beautiful artwork, acting and singing up a storm, running hard on the track and fields, debating concepts, writing all kinds of great pieces, and figuring out math problems. I even saw HS students in a science lab doing a dissection, which wasn't even the coolest part. It was how knowledgeable and capable of explaining biological concepts they were that made me so proud to be leading this district.

Despite the setbacks we've had this year, there are still so many phenomenal teachers (in every sense of that word), who are helping students learn or deal with complex concepts or difficult moments in their lives across the district. Let this mid-May bring us even more growth opportunities, connections, and a sense of joy and calm, as we head toward the last month and a half of the year. As always, please reach out to an administrator or other trusted adult if you need help.

I am so excited for my first Panther graduation, and I look forward to seeing many of you on the 29th!

Have a great week everyone!

Dr. Marcus

Mr. Wells, our new Business Manager, his business office team, and others of us in central office have been hard at work uncovering where mistakes had been made over the last couple of years. While the very painful reductions made over the summer and then in the fall were urgent necessities, we have needed to freeze most spending, straighten out processes, and keep costs down since January to achieve our goal of ending FY26 balanced. The work continues.

Looking forward, we are working hard to budget accurately, find any new revenues or savings, and not lose any more people than what we had planned already. We are looking at FY27 as a chance to stabilize and, with better, tighter practices, begin to rebuild for the future. We will continue to share updates and information to ensure folks are in the know.

Congratulations to our returning members of the School Committee on their re-election this weekend. Your continued service and dedication to the WHRSD community is so appreciated!

This is the time of year where a lot of enrichment events pop up, some requiring parent/student funding to participate. Dances, field trips, and other social events are part of the mix. A concerned parent wrote me the other day about ensuring that ALL students have access to various special events and what we can do as staff to promote maximum availability. First, I really appreciate that feedback and will be working on that concept with district leaders. Second, if folks ever have an issue with funding trips or other events, please reach out to your building principal and they will do everything they can to help.

Just SOME of the many wonderful things happening around WHRSD...

May 19- Chorus Concert at HS

May 20- School Committee Mtg 6:30pm

May 21- Future Educators Signing Day

May 22- Last Day for Seniors

May 25- Memorial Day, No School

May 27- Senior Parade through WH elem, middle schools

May 28- Community Evening School Graduation 6pm

May 29- WHRHS Graduation 6pm

Registration packets are available in many languages. Please contact your Principal.

The Town of Whitman and Old Colony Planning Council are developing a new Housing Production Plan (HPP) to help guide future housing decisions in the community. As part of this process, we are seeking input from Whitman residents on local housing needs, affordability, neighborhood character, and future housing priorities. Your feedback will help shape the recommendations and strategies included in the plan. We encourage all Whitman families to take a few minutes to complete the survey.

https://oldcolonyplanning.org/whitmanhpp/