Panther Press

September 8, 2025 - Volume 8 - ISSUE 1

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!

9/26/2025: Freshman Parent Coffee with Counselors 7:30AM

10/3/2025: Freshman Elections during WIN

10/6/2025: Picture Retakes

10/8/2025: SAT for Registered Seniors

10/10/2025: Early Release - Professional Development (10:15AM dismissal)

10/11/2025: Homecoming Dance - more information to follow

10/13/2025: No School - Columbus Day

10/22/2025: PSAT for Registered Grade 10 & 11 Students

10/30/2025: Quarter 1 Ends

10/31/2025: Early Release - Grading Day

10/31/2025: Book Parent-Teacher Conferences via PTC Wizard - more to follow

11/4/2025: Parent Portal Opens - Quarter 1 Grades

11/6/2025: Early Release - Parent-Teacher Conferences 12-2PM Virtual and 6-8PM In-Person

11/11/2025: No School - Veteran's Day

11/26-11/28/2025: No School - Thanksgiving Recess

12/1/2025: Winter Sports Start

12/4/2025: Grade 8 Orientation 6:30-8:30PM

For the 2025-2026 school year, we will offer Chromebook insurance for all students in grades 6-12. Accidental damage, such as broken screens, can add up quickly throughout a school year and cause a financial burden on families.

OPEN ENROLLMENT August 1, 2025, through September 28, 2025

For example, without insurance, it costs $60 to repair an Acer or HP broken keyboard. If you purchase insurance, you pay a one-time yearly fee of $35 for Acer and HP Chromebooks.

Riley Miller, a former student of Whitman-Hanson, has donated thousands of dollars to Best Buddies and other local and national charities. WCVB Channel 5 News did a story on his project. He is a fantastic example to all of us how the "nickles" add up when trying to make the world a better place. Check out the article and consider signing up!

Belonging. Bravery. Becoming.

As we step into the 2025–2026 school year, I want to begin by welcoming every member of our Panther family back. Each new school year gives us a blank page, but what makes our story powerful is how we choose to write it together.

This year, we are focused on three words that shape both our Vision of the Graduate and the culture we’re building every day: Belonging, Bravery, and Becoming.

Belonging is the foundation. School communities thrive when every person feels seen, valued, and connected. Whether it’s your first day walking through these doors or your last first day as a senior, you belong here. We’ve designed our schedule, our WIN block, and our opportunities for relationships not just to teach content, but to strengthen connection.

Bravery is the challenge. Growth doesn’t come from staying comfortable. It comes from trying, risking, and sometimes stumbling before we succeed. Whether it’s taking an AP class, joining a new club, performing on stage, stepping onto the field, or simply speaking up in class, bravery is at the heart of learning. Together, we will create an environment where courage is celebrated and mistakes are seen as stepping stones, not failure.

Becoming is the journey. High school is not just about earning credits. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself. That’s why our Vision of the Graduate emphasizes communication, collaboration, critical thinking, civic-mindedness, and self-awareness. These aren’t just boxes to check; they’re the qualities that will help you succeed long after you leave our halls.

So let’s commit, together, to a year that isn’t defined by what happens to us, but by how we respond with purpose, passion, and pride. Panther Pride is more than a slogan; it’s the daily act of belonging to something bigger, being brave enough to grow, and becoming who you are meant to be.

As always, reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns. Welcome back. Let’s make this year extraordinary.

We're excited to see all our students back and settling into their school routines! The beginning of the school year has been fantastic, and we want to keep the momentum going with a few important reminders.

Opening Day Forms

Please return all opening day forms by Monday, September 8th. Getting these back promptly helps us stay organized and ensures we have all necessary information for your student.

Morning Drop-Off Safety

When dropping your student off in the morning:

• Pull completely up to the curb before allowing students to exit your vehicle

• Students should never exit vehicles in the middle of the traffic loop—this creates a serious safety hazard

• Remind your student to always use designated crosswalks when walking through loops or parking lots

Afternoon Pick-Up Protocol

For parent pick-up, please follow these guidelines:

Timing:

• Regular school days: Do not arrive before 1:50 PM

• Half days: Do not arrive before 10:30 AM

• Dismissal begins at 1:40 PM, and we need time to safely load and dismiss buses first

Parking:

• If you arrive before 1:50 PM, you must park in marked spots in the lower parking lot near the athletic fields (junior lot)

• Never park along the driveway while waiting for buses to clear

• Fire lane parking is strictly prohibited at all times—even for quick drop-offs

Why this matters: We've been working closely with our Police and Fire departments, who have expressed concerns about emergency vehicle access during crowded dismissal times. Following these guidelines helps us maintain clear emergency lanes and ensures everyone's safety.

Student Driver Requirements

All student drivers must:

• Obtain a parking pass from the main office before parking on school grounds

• Park only in designated student parking areas

• Never park in staff, handicap, or reserved spots

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and efficient environment for all our Panthers. We're looking forward to an exciting and successful school year together!

Questions? Please don't hesitate to contact the main office.

Go Panthers! 🐾

We are all so excited for a great school year and working with you and your child! Please review the updated counselor breakdown and reach out with any questions!

It was great to see so many families at our annual Senior Parent and Caregiver Breakfast on Friday! On Monday and Tuesday (September 8th and 9th), school counselors will be visiting Senior English classes for Senior Orientation and Post-Secondary Planning. This lesson is part of our Panther Pathways school counseling curriculum. We will be talking about various post-secondary options for life after high school, college applications, deadlines, the personal essay, financial aid, and more. Counselors will be following up with seniors for individual post-secondary planning meetings over the next month. If you have questions, please reach out to your school counselor. Here is the link to the Senior Orientation Slides.

Students of all grades and their families are welcome to join us on Tuesday, October 7th from 6:00-8:00pm for our annual Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake/Pembroke College and Post-Secondary Options Fair. This year the program will be held at Silver Lake Regional High School, 260 Pembroke Street, Kingston, MA. Admissions officers representing nearly 80 college, technical school, and military options are expected to attend.

Check out these helpful tips:

• mefa - make the most out of College Fair

• College Board - College Fair Checklist

Showcase your artistic evolution! Visit with counselors, admissions team members, and faculty from art and design schools for a portfolio review before applying to colleges or universities. National Portfolio Day is free for students to attend from anywhere around the world! Register here!

We invite parents and caregivers with students in grade 9 to join the school counseling staff for Coffee with the Counselors on Friday, September 26th at 7:30 AM. In this informal session, you will get a chance to meet your child's school counselor, and we will be available to answer questions and provide tips and advice to help you and your students make a successful transition to high school. Follow this link to sign up: Coffee with the Counselors Registration Link.

The Class of 2026 Credit For Life Fair will be held on Thursday, November 6th. The CFL Fair provides an opportunity for students to learn various life skills as part of an interactive experience that leads them through a series of real-world budgeting and money management scenarios - including paying for college, obtaining a car loan, finding adequate housing, and determining living expenses, and many more! What really makes this a successful event is the participation of community members who take the opportunity to offer their expertise and to help students learn the importance of sound financial decision-making. We appreciate your time and for making Credit for Life Fair a great success for all involved. Click here to volunteer!

We have an amazing team of School Adjustment Counselors and support staff here at WH! If your child is struggling or having a difficult time please do not hesitate to reach out! Here is also a link to local mental health resources!

Mental Health Check List by Leeward Counseling

Whether you’re a parent of a preschooler, navigating high school, starting college or simply entering into a new season, it is essential to pause and prioritize your mental health. Taking time to check in with yourself and making sure you have the right tools and coping skills in place to help you handle stress before it builds makes the difference during transition periods. Add this mental health checklist into your back to school list!

Important Reminders

Parking Notice: Please remember to obey all parking signs and rules at our athletic events. Police will be actively ticketing and towing vehicles in violation to ensure the safety of our student athletes. Your cooperation helps keep everyone safe.

Fall Sports Admission: We charge admission for soccer, football, volleyball, and field hockey games during the fall season. We accept credit/debit cards and Apple Pay only. For your convenience, you can also prepay at GoFan.co. The most economical option for families is to purchase season passes, available at: https://fs17.formsite.com/WHathletics/pyipppqjcs/index

Put it on your calendar - homecoming is 10/10 when WH hosts Plymouth North. Every team, club and activity is invited to join us by hosting a table. At halftime we will have our annual parade of champions.

Team Recaps

Boys Soccer

Despite creating quality chances throughout the match, the Panthers fell 2-0 to Plymouth South in their league opener on Thursday, September 4th. The loss moves Whitman-Hanson to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in league competition. The second half belonged to the Panthers’ attack, with Siddharth Raj Monagari leading the charge and consistently threatening Plymouth South’s defense. Cam MacKay provided additional spark when he moved into a forward position, giving the Panthers more options in the final third. Though the breakthrough goal never came, the team’s effort and determination never wavered. The Panthers will look to get their first win Tuesday when they visit Duxbury.

Girls Soccer

The season opener couldn’t have gone much better for the Panthers, who dominated Plymouth South 3-0 on the road to start the year with a statement victory. Claire Keegan wasted no time making her mark, scoring twice in the first half to give Whitman-Hanson early control. The offensive explosion continued after halftime when freshman Teagan Frattasio capped off the scoring with her first career varsity goal. Defensively, the Panthers were rock solid. Shelby Bell, Caleigh Mahoney, Devin Olszeski, and Millie Mahoney anchored a backline that made life easy for goalkeeper Addison Hughes, who needed just 5 saves for the shutout. The midfield work of Anna Schnabel (2 assists), Keira Manchester, and Mya Andrews kept possession and created scoring opportunities all game long. The Panthers return home Tuesday to face Duxbury.

Field Hockey

In a thrilling back-and-forth battle, the Panthers earned a 1-1 tie with Norwell in their home opener. The Clippers controlled much of the first half, creating several prime scoring chances and earning multiple penalty corners. Junior defender Lilly Jones stood tall when it mattered most, making crucial defensive plays to keep the game scoreless through the early stages. After Norwell found the net early in the third quarter, freshman midfielder Sammi Hinchey answered back with the equalizer to salvage the tie.

Volleyball

The Panthers opened their season on the road against North Quincy, falling 3-1 in sets that went 25-15, 24-26, 14-25, 19-25. Despite the loss, there were plenty of bright spots for Whitman-Hanson to build on. Senior captains led by example, with Leah Daley anchoring the net defense with 3 kills and 6 blocks, while Brooke Steele paced the offense with 6 kills while adding 8 digs on the defensive end. Junior Presley Giannino was perfect from the service line, contributing 4 aces. Now 0-1 in both league and overall standings, the Panthers get their next chance Monday when they travel to Hanover.

Football

In a game that came down to the final minutes, the Panthers fell just short in their season opener, losing 20-17 to Pembroke on Friday night. Quarterback Jack Martin was outstanding through the air, completing 12 of 25 passes for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns. His favorite targets were Brady Cocio and Pat Ryan, with Ryan hauling in both touchdown passes and finishing with 2 catches for 125 yards. The defensive effort was equally impressive. Bobby Walker wreaked havoc in the Pembroke backfield with 2 tackles for loss and 2 fumble recoveries, while Michael Giannino and Jackson Alexander each recorded 6 tackles and a tackle for loss.

Golf

The Panthers couldn’t quite match Hingham’s firepower at South Shore Country Club, falling 257-241 in their second match of the season. Senior captain Ryan Christensen led the way with a solid round of 40, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Harbormen. The Panthers will look to bounce back Sunday afternoon when they face East Bridgewater in a non-league match at Ridder Farms.

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
Instagram: @DrCSJones
Twitter: @DrCSJones