With the first day of school during a pandemic ahead of them on Tuesday, Sept. 15, school officials recognized there is still “tremendous anxiety” among students, parents, administrators and staff about what it’s going to look like.

An average classroom will have between 11 and 15 desks with creative signs posted to “help kids along the way to acclimate them to what our new normal is right now,” said Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak to School Committee members during the Wednesday, Sept. 9 meeting.

“We set out to do something we thought was impossible, and we’re pretty damn close to being there,” Szymaniak said. “We have a good game plan. Principals and teachers are implementing that game plan.”

He said teachers were excited to be coming back to the classroom and hopes students share that excitement. Szymaniak also held a parent-school nurses Zoom call on Thursday, Sept. 10 to answer parents’ health-related questions. Class lists were released Sept. 9.

There will be 386 students on a fully remote learning plan and home-schooling requests went up to nearly 90 students from the 17 learning that way last school year.

Szymaniak said most of the home school requests came with the caveat that it was not a commentary on the school district, but a reflection of things going on at home with child care requirements and those parents can’t wait to send their children back to school the following year.

While transportation has been a challenge with only 23 students on a bus, Szymaniak said they were ready to go.

“We did the best we could with the challenges we had,” he said, noting there have been several cohort and resulting transportation changes to meet parent requests, but not all were possible because of social distancing requirements in classrooms and on buses.

WHEA President Kevin Kavka thanked the committee for approving the district’s memorandum of understanding with the teachers’ union regarding the hybrid learning plans to keep staff and students safe for the coming school year.

Parents can find more information on hybrid and remote instruction on the school district website or by calling school principals.

Szymaniak has asked for information from local boards of health if employers in either town see positive COVID cases among their employees in an effort to obtain guidance on what schools should do.

“I will over-step to make sure kids are safe rather than under-step,” Szymaniak said.

Based on a survey of 95 district teachers who live outside of Whitman and Hanson, he also asked the committee to open school buildings to the children of teachers who work in the district, hiring paraprofessionals to supervise them.

“I call it remote care, not actual instruction,” Szymaniak said, noting the paraprofessionals would have to be hired.

for public use.

“It would be nice to be able to do it,” said School Committee member Christopher Howard. “From what you’ve described, I certainly have some concerns that are not financial.”

Howard said having an extra child in a classroom, just looking at a computer screen all day — apart from what other pupils are doing — would be a distraction. Szymaniak explained the additional students would be located in the library and will continue to investigate the data and report back to the committee at its next meeting.

School Committee member echoed Howard concerns as well as what would be done with students in that population should they contract COVID-19.

WHITMAN —With 34 years, and a career full of milestones, under his belt Whitman Fire Lt. Bob Hover spent his last official day at a four-alarm fire in Brockton on a mutual aid call for a building fire.

It was typical of Hover to stay to the end- his greatest responsibilities were to bring his crew home safe to their families after each shift.

He thanked all who attended his retirement open house on Monday afternoon, which culminated with a traditional ride home in the Whitman engine.

Hover, with great wit and intelligence, seemed to recall dates and memories with each friend, family and resident who greeted, wished him well and thanked him.

With department members all over the South Shore stopping in to “wish him a happy retirement” the afternoon was filled with smiles, tears and elbow bumps.

Hover’s family was in attendance his immediate family wife Karen, daughter Nicole and two sons Chris and Allen as well as a large extended family of great nieces and nephews.

Hover received commendations from the State of Massachusetts including:  State Rep. Alyson Sullivan, R-Abington; state Sen. Michael Brady, D-Brockton; U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass.; and various representatives for the Town of Whitman; many also knowing Hover personally for most of his three and a half  decades  in town.

His commands included countless fire calls, including a fatal house fire, hazardous materials; assisting with two baby deliveries and helping citizens throughout Whitman to name a few.

In a prepared statement through Chief Timothy Grenno of Whitman Fire- Hover’s career was highlighted: He began his career as a call firefighter on April 1, 1986. Two years later, he was appointed a full-time firefighter on Aug. 30, 1988, and then promoted to lieutenant on Jan. 24, 1999.

Chief Timothy Grenno thanked Hover at the retirement event and emphasizing his level of commitment to all those in attendance. Grenno  recounted the afternoon (Monday)  that kept him working right up until he sent a direct order that “he leave the building fire in Brockton  because it was time to retire.” Maybe a first under his command to tell someone to return to retire, which was lighthearted but purely engrained in Hover’s commitment of character.

“Lt. Hover gave 100% every day and was a dedicated and professional member of this department,” Grenno said.

“Bob made a tremendous difference to this department with his strong work ethic and knowledge that you can’t replace. He was the epitome of a good firefighter and fire officer, and we will miss him greatly.”

On the horizon Bob requested a “man-cave” from his wife Karen.  His new found time will be spent with family- the couple is looking forward to milestones with their three, young- adult children, camping and experiencing time on the open road with his motorcycle.

Bob a self proclaimed non- lover of snow will now be home to shovel and clear the driveway all winter long.

Karen said “having Bob home for snow storms and holidays will be different but a much welcomed change at their home.”

He also received various gifts, a hand carved shield from his duty crew, a flag that flew over the state house, and countless cards with well wishes.

Old Cottage Farm in Hanson is hidden away behind wooden, gray fence panels with lush, flowering vines. Commuters on the busy Route 14 through town have perhaps driven past the property un-noticed.

Ruth Sylvester and her husband Dean have raised four children and have been at the homestead for nearly 52 years. They have developed the land into a fruitful farmland with goats across the street on their second piece of property- a total of eight acres.

Undeterred by a hard day’s work   Sylvester says she allows herself to sleep in but not past six o’clock, a luxury compared to 3:30 a.m. in years past.

“Life is not a free trip; what you put in you get out of it,” said Ruth.

The couple in their mid 70’s finds the energy to keep up with the daily tasks of a farm which takes…

“All day long”, they both replied with a laugh.

“You have to keep moving”, she said.

Accompanied by the playful Casey a four-year-old English Springer Spaniel, the Sylvesters wandered their enclosed gardens as four hundred chickens at the far end of the property socialized outside their coop.

“You take a seed that is tiny…  you cannot see it and it produces this, “ said Ruth proudly gesturing her crops with open arms.

  A sweet smell of peaches ripening in the trees lingered in the air with more than 870 plants: 20 varieties of tomatoes, dozens of varieties of squash, lettuce and cucumbers to name a few.  She said there are days when she calls it work depending on the weather and heat but she is devoted to the land and has no foreseeable motivation to discontinue doing what she loves.

Specializing in honey production Dean keeps 30 bee hives strategically placed along the wood line of their property. They will produce upwards of 800 pounds by the season’s end.

Although she is modest and humbled by the flattering remarks it’s Ruth, according to Dean, who begins the entire garden every season starting with seedlings in a greenhouse, planting every last one.

Dean is the resident mechanic on property and there is no shortage of jobs to complete.  Although the couple spends plenty of time ‘together’, working side by side with their spouse has a different meaning. They each plan their daily to-do list simultaneously achieving the same goals needed for the farm, however, quite independently. They both agreed. There is plenty of space for that.

For years they have placed a wooden, French style produce cart in their front yard and using the ‘honor system‘ as payment in their metal box,  locals frequent the farm stand to purchase their produce. Farm fresh eggs along with their jars of honey are also for sale on their indoor screened porch.

Ruth just retired less than a year ago from her full time job at age 76 from Traveler’s insurance as an account manager. She attributes her green thumb to her childhood.  Her dad was Canadian and got killed in the war. Her mother brought her to see her grandparents in Six Mile Brook near Pictou County, Nova Scotia for two months a year. The 400 acre farm had no telephone, no electricity and no running water, she said.

After all is done for the day with the water well on their property and a stretched hose they are fortunate, thankful, and sometimes tired.

The farm stand is located at 744 West Washington Street in Hanson.

As Division 2 state champions the Whitman Hanson boys’ basketball team was honored on Monday night at the Dennis M. O’Brien field. Their showcase of talents at the TD Garden played out in March when they clinched the victory but fell short when the season was shortened in June due to Covid.

In June when preparations for the  final game were being made  and immediately following the cancelled game against Taconic Coach Bob Rodgers talked with The Express Sports Reporter Nate Rollins.

“One thing I told the kids is to look up at the banners in the gym on that boys’ basketball league championship banner, there’s a co-champion in there,” said Rodgers, who wrapped up his 20th year on the Panthers’ bench. “Nobody knows what year it is. It’s such a great accomplishment for the kids to win our first-ever state championship. It’s not going to say co-champions; it’s going to say state champions. That’s what they are.”

The team was honored in Monday’s short ceremony as parents and their varsity athletes viewed several clips of their season with memories highlighting the final year for seniors playing at Whitman Hanson.

Pete Smith representative of Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association MIAA also presented the team with medals on behalf of the organization.  The champs received personalized jackets and championship rings as well.

Cancellation of the June title game Rodgers addressed the loss of playing time and the many changes experienced since the spring due to the pandemic.

“For the one last moment to be together as a team and I knew that it would be tremendously disappointing but when you think of what the whole world, the kids that play in the spring and families that have lost loved ones (pause) it really pales in comparison,” said Rodgers, who has officially served his 20th season with the Panthers.

During the ceremony he recalled the contributions, and efforts of players calling their team work ‘unselfish play, with everybody contributing’ to the state championships at the Garden.

He acknowledged several families as well as players who had tough roads and challenges; applauding their countless contributions of time, selflessness and volunteer efforts through the four years in the Whitman Hanson basketball and sports programs.

Sue Moss, retired wellness teacher and sports photographer at Whitman Hanson who is lovingly known as “Boss Moss,” was given a jacket and a hearty thank you for all her time and volunteer work she devotes to the sports department and families.

(Express sports correspondent Nathan Rollins contributed to this report.)

While it was not the graduation ceremony anyone envisioned, or wanted, WHRHS held a drive-up commencement ceremony, handing out 223 diplomas over three and one half hours Friday, July 31.

One by one, members of the senior class and family members who could fit in a single vehicle drove up to the school’s front entrance. They picked up their diploma from a low table and approached the spirit rock where they posed for individual photos with Principal Dr. Christopher Jones, Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak and School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes. Family members were then asked to join their seniors for group photos. After a brief delay, a school official played a loop of “Pomp and Circumstance” for the event.

Some students tossed their caps in the air for photos after receiving their diplomas; others just accepted their diploma and departed.

“I can’t even imagine what your life has been like,” one mom told Jone’s Administrative Assistant Siobhan Horton as she organized diplomas. “I have so much gratitude.”

“People that came to the drive-up graduation were very, very grateful the School District did that for the graduating seniors,” Hayes said. “It was very well received. People seemed to be very happy to make the best out of a situation that was very difficult.”

In an effort to provide some semblance or normalcy, the Whitman-Hanson Express is printing our usual graduation section this week [see insert], including the text of speeches student speakers planned to deliver, the Class Gift and Ode, Teacher and Staff Member of the Year honors and lists of scholarship recipients.

Horton does much of the work organizing commencement ceremonies each year. She said seniors who have joined the military and already reported for basic training came in earlier this summer to receive their diplomas, as did an exchange student from Brazil.

The School District has not yet planned how diplomas will be awarded to Community Evening School.

“I do not like the idea of a virtual graduation either, but it was the event I could promise as the next best solution given the time frame,” Jones said in his statement. “In short, it provided an option in the event I could not come up with something else. One last thing. Something I have said from the beginning of this current pandemic. Offer grace, time, and patience because we never know the whole story.”

Reaction was not positive when the announcement was made Friday afternoon, to change the event from a socially distant ceremony only hours after a rehearsal. The social media clap back motivated Jones to respond.

“I typically do not respond to personal insults on social media because they are born from emotion, but this is an exception,” Jones stated in an open letter to parents. “This decision was not arbitrary. It was recommended by the Board of Health in both towns. We just cannot responsibly put 1,600 people in an area together given the information we both have and don’t have.”

Not everyone believed it, judging by social media feedback and requests from some seniors for their class dues back.

But several parents were supportive, either on social media or in person Friday afternoon.

“Just came home from our Drive Thru Graduation for our son! How lovely,” effused Julie Bailey of Hanson on Twitter. “So organized and all the faculty were great!! Thank you for everything!! Great job for our grads.”

A School Committee meeting slated for Thursday, July 30 as a placeholder in the event either town meeting rejected the school budget and/or assessment compromise was also cancelled. The School Committee’s next meeting is expected to review reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year.

It’s wonderful that the people overwhelmingly supported the school budget, so that’s a good thing,” Hayes said. “The school reopening, obviously, changes as we move forward. DESE (the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) and the governor’s office, everyone’s involved, so each opening seems to be changing a little bit on the regulations. Obviously, this is a first time for everybody. There’s never been this type of a pandemic before.”

HANSON — You scream, I scream…

Heidi’s Hollow is open for the season.

There is plenty to scream about including new owners and the same great ice cream.

Taking the reins this week, new owners Candace Reich, a longtime Pembroke resident and her partner Maren Rojas, are ready for a sweet summer. The couple has officially purchased the shop and longtime owners Tony and Lynda Quigley (lovingly known as Ma and Pa) are signing off after three decades of scooping. They are retiring to Myrtle Beach, S,C., where Tony sees a lot of golf in his future.

With the summer came changing temperatures and coronavirus creating new “normal” for everyone, Reich and Rojas have kept everything the same including the delicious and ever-popular Richardson’s Ice Cream. They are also welcoming a few new flavors that will soon be on the menu.

Heidi’s Hollow is offering party packs to serve four and eight to have an at- home ice cream party.

Social distancing is uncomplicated with plenty of outdoor seating in bright blue chairs and benches along the shadow area of the fence. Several picnic tables with umbrellas allow for open-air eating and plenty of breathing space.

Heidi’s Hollow started out in the Myette’s Country Store on Liberty Street within five years they outgrew the space.

Their home was built in 1820, and it made sense to add on the ice cream shop remaining in its current location ever since.

Chatting with the residents and locals- many who have become friends- is the element they will miss the most, said Tony Quigley. He was quick to say they would be returning for visits.

“You always remember your first ice cream shop that you loved,” he said with a laugh.

For Tony it was Charlie’s at Field Corner in Dorchester. Little did he know for Reich it was Heidi’s Hollow of Hanson.

Reich, who comes from a family of entrepreneurs, sat with The Express this week and recalled as a high school freshman that he drew up a business plan for successfully owning a bakery and ice cream shop. She kept that childhood plan, and the dreams, always reserving the thought that if opportunity arose she would pursue it.

Tony who always had frozen food in his life as a grocery stocker during Vietnam and before as a kid hustling popsicles —he made a dime on the beach walking the sea shore with a bag of dry ice and frozen treats. During a rafting trip he had a dream that he bought an ice cream shop and told his wife the next morning when he awoke. Lynda was a longtime nurse and also needed a change. She set out to secure a small business loan, according to Tony and the rest is history. They didn’t know the first thing about running an ice cream shop but they taught one another and three decades have proven the pair had sugar in their DNA.

“It’s sort of sad,” said Tony who reminisced about their shared memorable times but ice cream makes everything happy, he said.

Seeing families expand by generations and revisit year after year for a cold treat and chitchat … are just a few things the Quigley’s said they will miss as they retire and cherish the most.

Tony spoke highly of a former employee that began her first job with Heidi’s as a teen and grew up like a daughter with the Quigley’s. She has become a success in her career, has a family and is still in their lives.

Reich said when her family set out for ice cream as kids they would devour Heidi’s ice cream and imagine how pleasant and adventurous it would be to own Heidi’s. Little did she know her vision would evolve and three decades later would be reality.

The charm of the established shop and their countless childhood memories at the delicious ice cream shop were also deciding factors on buying the shop.

The couple who are both still working full time (Rojas a longtime established professional collegiate soccer coach is now a consultant for Sport for development and Reich is in sales) they are like a well oiled machine.  Maren calls herself the ‘executor’ keeping the books and running the business side behind the scenes they agree that Candace is the ‘visionary’.

They emphasized their appreciation for the generous time the Quigley’s  have given to make a smooth transition in the changing of hands.

The extensive local family of Reich is also at the shop and pack a cone like it’s nobody’s business. They have all been supportive and have also grown up on Heidi’s sundaes, said Reich. Green Hanson has streamlined the use of paper cups versus Styrofoam cups in July- one slight change that patrons may notice.

They accept debit and credit payments now and offer window pickup as they abide by CDC’s COVID guidelines on social distancing.