WH District Digest SY 25-26

Dear Staff, Students, and Families,

Welcome back! I am excited to continue sharing the monthly WH District Digest, a platform designed to share highlights, updates, and happenings across our district. This resource focuses on district-level news, initiatives, and celebrations, providing a snapshot of the incredible work and achievements taking place in our District.

For more specific information about individual schools, programs, or events, we encourage you to connect directly with your child's school.

Thank you for being an integral part of our vibrant community. Let’s make this school year one of collaboration, learning, and success!

Regards,

Dr. Nicole Semas-Schneeweis, Assistant Superintendent

This August, Whitman-Hanson proudly began our first Countdown to K program in which we hosted three events designed to welcome our newest Panthers and help them feel excited for their kindergarten journey.

• 🐑 Baby Animals & New Friends at Channell Farm (Aug. 15): Students enjoyed a hands-on visit with baby animals while meeting future classmates in a warm, welcoming setting.

• ⚽ Kindergarten Field Day at WHRHS (Aug. 20): Laughter filled the fields as children played games, made memories, and received their Countdown to K - Class of 2038 Tee-shirts.

• 📚 Kindergarten Meet & Greet (Aug. 25): Families gathered to meet principals, hear a joyful reading of The Night Before Kindergarten, and build connections before the big first day.

The program was a wonderful success thanks to the enthusiasm of our families, staff, and community partners. We look forward to continuing this new tradition of helping our youngest learners start school with confidence and joy!

It’s amazing to see the progress being made on the new Whitman Middle School! It feels like just yesterday, on May 19, 2025, we celebrated the groundbreaking of this exciting project. And now just a few months later, on August 29, 2025, we came together again to mark another important milestone: the placement of the final framing beam.

This “topping off” ceremony is a longstanding construction tradition that symbolizes good luck and marks the completion of the building’s structural framework. The event was a proud moment for our community, reminding us how far we’ve come and how close we are to welcoming students into a modern, state-of-the-art learning space.

We are grateful to everyone who has supported this project and look forward to celebrating more milestones together as Whitman Middle School takes shape!

For more information and ongoing updates, visit the official project website at wmsproject.org.

We are proud to offer the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, an award that recognizes students who have achieved proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This honor highlights the hard work of our multilingual students and the value of being able to communicate across languages and cultures. For more information, please see our District Letter.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) is proud to sponsor its 25th Annual Sportsmanship Essay Contest.

This year’s theme is: “What Does Good Sportsmanship Look Like From the Stands?”

Contest Details:

• Who Can Enter: Students in grades 9–12 at MIAA member schools

• Essay Length: Typed, double-spaced, no more than 500 words

• Prizes: 1st Place – $400 | Runner-Up – $200

• Winners: Will present their essays at the 31st Annual MIAA Sportsmanship Summit on November 6, 2025

• Deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2025, by 12 pm

• Submission: Email entries to dharrington@miaa.net

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their writing skills while promoting the values of sportsmanship that strengthen our school communities. Please see website for more information.

We’re excited to share that our schools are using SchoolStatus Connect, a messaging and communication platform designed to keep families informed and engaged. With SchoolStatus, parents and guardians can:

• Stay in the loop with announcements, events, and classroom updates.

• View activities such as school events, volunteer opportunities, and Parent-Teacher Conference sign-ups.

• Access resources including photos, videos, and classroom files in the Library.

• Communicate easily with teachers and staff through group or 1-on-1 conversations.

• Families have the ability to choose the language they wish to receive messages.

👉 Click here to learn more about navigating SchoolStatus Connect as a Parent or Guardian

Did you know our district has a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)? This is a parent-led group that works in partnership with schools to advise on special education programs, services, and policies for children with disabilities. SEPAC provides a valuable forum where parents can share experiences, voice concerns, and exchange information while collaborating with school leaders.

All are welcome at SEPAC meetings. For the schedule of meetings, please click here .

TEAM TRIPPY BLUE OUT GAME!
On Saturday, September 27, 2025 you are invited to enjoy a special night to honor the memory of Nicholas “Trippy” Nugent and raise money for The Team Trippy Foundation!

From the organizers: Bring your family, your friends and all the energy you’ve got for a one-of-a-kind night as Hanson Warriors play the Whitman Panthers in a friendly game for a truly amazing cause! Let’s PACK the field and show what an incredible community we have! Don’t forget to wear your BLUE to support Team Trippy!

Please see flyer for more information about this great event!

Since joining Whitman-Hanson in January 2023, Jennifer Kroese (pronounced cruise), the Superintendent’s Executive Assistant, has been a welcoming and invaluable presence in our district. In her role, Jen supports the daily operations of the Superintendent’s Office, manages communications and scheduling, and serves as a helpful point of contact for staff, families, and community members. She is known for her warmth, kindness, and willingness to go above and beyond to assist others. Always greeting everyone with a smile, Jen brings positivity to every interaction. We are truly fortunate to have her as part of the Whitman-Hanson team!