The Whitman-Hanson Regional and South Shore Technical school districts have joined schools across the state suspending classes for three weeks, through Tuesday, April 7 — and as long as a month in some places — to help stem the progress of the coronavirus.

Town halls, libraries, senior centers and any activities that could attract more than 25 people are canceled or rescheduled in light of the state of emergency declared by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Public meetings in both Whitman and Hanson must be “attended” remotely by residents — and, in Hanson, via telephone link by all Selectmen for the duration of emergencies declared in both towns, effective Monday, March 16.

Town meetings will be rescheduled to June 15, but Hanson plans to keep the scheduled date of the Town Election as Saturday, May 16. Selectmen approved the refunding of down payments for planned events canceled at Hanson’s Camp Kiwanee.

Hanson Food Pantry will remain open, but will admit only one client at a time with social distance guidelines enforced, and chairs will be cleaned between clients. Residents have been asked to use food pantry services only in the event of clear need.

“Public meetings will be broadcast on cable access, either live or the next day on YouTube,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam stated in a reverse 911 call Monday.

“You’ll notice we are all socially distanced,” said Hanson Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett, as she convened the Tuesday, March 17 meeting, attended in person by only herself, Selectman Matt Dyer, Town Administrator John Stanbrook, Administrative Assistant Greer Getzen, Police Chief Michael Miksch, Health Agent Gil Amado, Health Board Chairman Arlene Dias and IT Director Ryan McGonigle — all at seated at CDC-recommended intervals. Selectmen Wes Blauss, Jim Hickey and Kenny Mitchell, Fire Chief Jerome Thompson Jr., and Town Counsel Jay Talerman attended remotely via telephone link.

“Tonight’s meeting will probably be the last meeting where we will see each other in person because we take this seriously and we want to make sure we’re leading by example and doing the right thing,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “We thought it was important to meet tonight, because we hadn’t yet worked out the logistics on the teleconferencing — and time will tell if we actually have worked them out, but we are going to give it our level best.”

Teleconference meetings will be recorded and posted on the town website with videoconference coverage available only for land-use board hearings where hearings can’t be delayed, where maps and other documents need to be viewable, FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

Lynam said that, while all town employees were still working, admittance to buildings will be by appointment only. The telephone number for all town departments is 781-447-7600.

Hanson town and school fields have also been closed to any organized sports or activities and will remain closed as long as the schools are closed. Whitman fields and recreational areas are closed to the public until further notice. Updates are available on town websites whitman-ma.gov and hanson-ma.gov. Municipal bills may be paid online or by check or money order deposited in drop-boxes at the town halls.

“We regret that these limitations are being established, but we are doing so to reduce the exposure to the [coronavirus] to the public and it’s town employees,” Lynam said in his message.

Restaurants are limited to carry-out or drive-through food business only.

“I think people shine in moments like this,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “You really see people’s true colors, and we’ve got a truly dedicated group of employees here in Town Hall, Fire, Police, Highway, Water — they’re all stepping up.”

Like Lynam, FitzGerald-Kemmett stressed some of the measures put in place with the state of emergency are for the protection of town employees as well as the public.

Materials can be taken out from the library by calling ahead. Staff will wipe down books and other media and bring it out to residents.

“There will be no person-to-person contact and they will be taking precautionary measures,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

Miksch said if the public finds police officers to be a little less friendly or are hesitant to roll down a window to talk, there is a reason for that.

“We have to stress that we’re trying to do our best to make sure the officers stay safe as well,” he said. “I hate to limit people from coming to the police station, but again, unless they physically have to be there, we don’t want them there.”

Firearms ID renewals are being handled online as much as possible.

Schools closed

W-H Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak told the School Committee at its Thursday, March 12 meeting that a conference call for Commissioner of Education Jeff Riley and superintendents around the state had been scheduled Friday, March 13 to discuss the decision.

Regardless of the decision, Szymaniak was willing to take parental concerns into consideration had the decision been made to keep schools opwn. [See pages 4, 5].

“I would like to tell the School Committee and the community, if [parents] feel that school is in session and you would like to keep your child home, you may,” he said. “We are looking at ways … for online learning in the event of that.”

In light of the emergency, the unexcused absences policy has been waived. Students on free and reduced lunch, will be provided for.

“Some of our students get breakfast, lunch and dinner here,” Szymaniak said. “We have to come up with a contingency plan to make sure our students are fed.” Services to students on individualized education plans (IEPs) must also be served according to their plans, he said.

There had been no cases of presumptive or real cases of coronavirus in the W-H community, Szymaniak stressed on March 12. He has been in communication via conference call with both town administrators and boards of health and Szymaniak had already canceled all field trips through Friday, March 20.

Before the decision to close the schools for two weeks, he said the Conley and Duval schools were slated for cleaning over the weekend, which would have cost $8,000 for the work and buses were being cleaned after every run.

MCAS exams are “on the table,” Szymaniak said. “There’s no agenda for this, there might be a closure, I’m not really sure.”

By Friday afternoon, the decision to close the schools for two weeks had been made.

SST Superintendent-Director Thomas Hickey also said his school is out for two weeks, encouraging students to stay engaged in learning through reading and enrichment activities. School officials will re-evaluate the situation at the end of two weeks before making a decision on how to proceed from there.

Teachers will use online resources and work planned based on what they have planned for students to do when school does return, Hickey said. Social-emotional outreach services will also be available to families from school counselors whiles school is out.

“It can be very difficult to ensure equity in lesson plans,” Hickey said of the varying resources students have at home. “Still anything is better than nothing.”

While school is out, few staff will be in the building other than custodians who will increasing the flu-season cleaning protocols already in place since December.

Hickey is also looking to technology platforms such as GoogleVoice to limit the number of staff in the building further — forwarding any incoming calls to their homes.

“One of the things that we’re trying to do is to make sure that there’s an opportunity to continue learning,” said W-H Assistant Superintendent George Ferro. “We have to take into account many different things.”

Access to the Internet for devices is one of those. While 93.46 percent of parents have such access.

“When you look at that, that is not everybody,” Ferro said. Chromebooks owned by the school district are set up for the school network, and some could be made available if parents contact the district.

“We also have to come up with the paper packet for those who do not have access,” he said.

“I would commend your leadership and thoughtfulness in what are certainly extraordinary times,” said Committee member Christopher Howard.

“You guys are dealing with a lot of crazy stuff all at once,” Small said.

School Committee member Fred Small noted the Whitman Public Library has Verizon hot spots. Hanson Library Trustees Chairman Corrine Cofardo said they have many patrons who drive to the Hanson Library to use the Internet from their cars.

“There’s 40 parking spaces there,” she said.

Szymaniak asked for patience from the community as the coronavirus is an “evolving situation.”

“This is a first time for all of us,” he said, noting MCAS and graduation implications have to be taken into consideration.

Hanson Selectmen also discussed the situation at the board’s Tuesday, March 17 meeting with Police Chief Michael Miksch, Fire Chief Jerome Thompson Jr., and Health Agent Gil Amado. [See story, this page]

Selectmen have discussed using their oversight of the W-H playing fields on Hanson property to halt all sports play until further notice.

Hickey noted in the board’s special meeting Thursday, March 12 that the NBA, NHL as well as major league soccer, MLB and the NFL have suspended and/or delayed their regular seasons, the NCAA basketball tournament — as well as state high school basketball championship games — have been cancelled and the Boston Marathon was rescheduled to Sept.14.

“I have seen people posting of social media that they’re concerned and don’t know what to do,” said FitzGerald-Kemmett, who had just canceled the St. Patrick’s Day fundraising dinner slated for Saturday, March 14 to support the Hanson Food Pantry. “There are a bunch of elderly people who volunteer at the food pantry and I can’t have that happening, I don’t want to be responsible for harming people.”

Mitchell also suggested that the swearing in of two new police officers and recognition of Sgt. Eugene Andrews, who is retiring, be postponed. The new officers would be asked to get sworn in by Town Clerk Beth Sloan.

“Then we can do the family gathering … at a later date,” Mitchell said. “We shouldn’t have a room full of people.”

HANSON — The secret to cooking lies in two words — don’t stress.

Chef Bernard Kinsella of Good Life Kitchen cooking school and catering operation, 433 Washington St., Norwell, brought his class to the Hanson Public Library on Saturday, March 7.

He demonstrated a full meal from Israeli couscous salad to chicken meatballs with roasted tomato sauce and crostini to apple strudel for dessert, while reviewing knife techniques and meal planning before concluding with a sampling.

“We do 98-percent hands-on classes,” Kinsella said. “There are a couple of different demos that we do, which are chef’s tables.”

He reviewed the cooking technique for couscous, one-to-one measures of salted water and couscous, stirred together after the water boils. The pot is then covered and removed from the heat to sit for a few minutes to absorb the water before being fluffed with a fork.

Proper cutting techniques for vegetables as well as planning multiple meals each week for the most economical use of vegetables, such as peppers, that can be expensive.

“What am I making today? … and then, what can I prep for tomorrow?” he said. “You don’t want to put [a cut pepper] in a plastic bag and throw it in the fridge.”

Finding a forgotten pepper in the back of the refrigerator at the end of the week is a sad waste of money, he explained. Cutting another portion of the leftover pepper in thin slices prepares it for stir-fry another night and in chunks makes it ready for kabobs another night.

“Try to change your cooking habits and get comfortable with what you’re going to do with your ingredients,” he said. “You have to think it through.”

Proper cutting techniques for onions, tomatoes, baguettes of bread and apples were also demonstrated.

Kinsella also discussed the best way to sharpen knives — don’t do it yourself.

“You ought to make sure your knives are sharp,” he said, suggested one wrap it in a kitchen towel to the grocery store meat department. “Then you say, ‘I’m shopping, can you sharpen my knife?’ and nine out of 10 people will do it for you.”

WHITMAN — In its first year, the Miss Whitman Scholarship Organization hosted and crowned the new Miss Whitman Sunday evening.

Renee Banks, 22, of West Bridgewater was crowned and titled Miss Whitman along with Chelsea Vuong who took first place and titled as Miss Tri-Town. Vuong, 22, is a Harvard University student.

Christine Morse of Whitman is the Executive Director of Miss Whitman Scholarship Organization, Inc. With her preliminary   pageant skills to lean on, she decided to assist other girls in raising scholarship money through the Miss Whitman Scholarship Organization.

“I used to participate in the local preliminary pageants when I was 17 and 18 when I lived in California,” said Morse who has resided in Whitman for almost 15 years. “I was involved in the Miss Boston Scholarship Organization for 11 years with a short break in between,” she said.

“I believe in this organization and being able to give the opportunity for young women to learn wonderful life skills, from interviewing to public speaking, and stage presence.  This is the reason I wanted to start my own local,” she said.

Our program is considered a local preliminary to Miss Massachusetts, which is state preliminary to Miss America. All of the candidates raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to participate at each level. To participate in the local, the amount to raise for each contestant is $100, with all judges, board members, and volunteers for the day of the competition as unpaid volunteers. We provide scholarships to the candidates for their education. All money raised goes towards scholarships and small operating costs with accordance to the Miss America guidelines, according to Morse.

Considering her first year she had slightly higher operating costs than usual, but normally they would be fairly limited, she added.

The amount of scholarships given out is based on what monies can be raised and from locals willing to provide scholarships.

Each scholarship is paid directly to the school with proper invoice and documentation.

The candidates participating can live, work or go to school in the state of Massachusetts.

Being that this is our first year, the competition was open, meaning that anyone in the state can participate she said. As we get more established, I will close the competition, which will mean that I can choose where the pools of candidates live, work or go to school.

“I plan on including Whitman and the surrounding towns,” said Morse

In accordance with the programs guidelines the competition consisted of personal interview, on stage questions, and evening gown/social impact statement. Miss Whitman is a non-profit organization at this time and Morse is currently working on the paperwork to make it a 501(c) 3.

“I thought the competition went very well,” Morse said. “We had 10 wonderful candidates and they did a great job!”

I was able to give away $1400 in scholarships this year, which I think is awesome for our first year.  The venue was beautiful and accommodated us fabulously.  Overall I thought it was great and our two new titleholders are fabulous and can’t wait to compete at Miss Massachusetts at the end of June, she said. “Both ladies will be a wonderful representative of Whitman and can volunteer at any local events.”

During the event as contestants prepared for their next round dancers from Boss Academy of Hanson performed several routines.Information from the organizations can be found at: Miss America; Miss Massachusetts  and Miss Whitman.

WHITMAN — A vigil was held on the soccer fields at Whitman Middle School on Friday, Feb. 21 in honor of four members of the Smith family who perished in a car crash while on vacation in Orlando, Fla., last week.

Organizers included Whitman Youth Soccer President Helen Iannone, Vice President Stephanie Blackman, Boys’ Director Jamie Sousa as well as several other community sports leaders and volunteers. The memorial included impactful statements and memories from Jamie Sousa who coached Jaxon. She was connected to the family and shared love of the sport with him.  She offered heartfelt memories of her time cut short with the young athlete.

Jaxon Smith was only 11, a middle school student in Hanson. He was killed in the crash as well as his younger sister, preschooler Scarlett, 5, his mom Julie, and grandmother Josephine Fay of Weymouth.

Will Litchfield, a soccer teammate of Jaxon’s was given a new pair of footwear by the family. The package had arrived for him when they arrived home from Disney after the tragedy.

He clutched the package that was given to him by Erin Condon, Jaxon’s cousin.

“I feel proud,” said Litchfield as he walked off with his friends, candles in hand.

A statement was released by the family, thanking the town as well as numerous others in their support after the fatal accident.

‘’The Fay/Smith families greatly appreciate the outpouring of support and prayers as we process the events of this horrific tragedy,” it read. “We are truly heartbroken. Among the many individuals, groups and organizations that have assisted during this difficult time we wanted to highlight the efforts of the first responders in Orlando, the medical staff at the Orlando Regional Medical Center and the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital Disney, Jetblue, TSA and The Massachusetts State Police. We also want to thank the Hartman family who assisted in Orlando. We continue to grieve for the loss of our loved ones.  Thank you for your outpouring of kindness.”

On Friday night, the soccer field was packed with sports teams, including several boys soccer teams in which he played over the years along with fellow students, teachers, neighbors and friends of the family; as well as those offering support to the grieving community at the Whitman Middle School soccer field.

Eric Frank a resident of Whitman for 40 years, a father of three, and a soccer league volunteer and coach for 10 years said it was devastating to learn of the tragedy. His son played with Jaxon on fall of 2018.

Parents were seen embracing and consoling their children and their friends who held lights in memory of the Smiths.

Corinna Mac Donald a 3rd grader and her little sister Layla  a first-grader were visibly saddened at the event. They knew the family and her friend through cheerleading and she wanted to tell her friend Shalie that she hopes “she isn’t sad.”  She tried to write a message of hope on the memorial boards that the family would receive from the organizers in the days following the event. They were pinned to the soccer board so everyone could sign them.

The Smiths were remembered by other moms as a small town family who were hands-on, raising polite, respectful kids.

In statements earlier in the week released by the Whitman Hanson Regional School District Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak  schools would have counseling services for students and staff in the weeks to come.

The students throughout the Whitman-Hanson school district are showing kindness and spreading love to one another and the community this Valentine’s Day.

Kelly Tanis advisor for the National Honor Society at Whitman Hanson will be hosting an intimate gathering with a French twist with students from the French club. Another program the NHS has been involved with is “Buckets of Love.”

For the last several years they have carried a tradition of bringing Valentine’s and smiles to a local nursing home. In past years they have chosem a facility with a connection to a student in the group.

This year they will head to Weymouth to play French trivia, puzzles, and snacks to spread love.

In “Buckets of Love,” students were responsible individually or in a group to fill a bucket with items (from a list of age appropriate toys and necessities) that will be donated to a South Shore homeless shelter.

The project involved approximately 22 students and the group was preparing the packages Feb. 11 to be delivered for Valentine’s Day.

“What makes me happiest is seeing how interested the students have been in giving back. I am proud and they are proud to be part of it. The feeling is amazing,” said Tanis.

The students are not being individually recognized for the project it is modest within the NHS, she said.

Teacher Ellen Galambos also posted photos on Twitter following a project with her calligraphy club at W-H. The handmade hand-written Valentine Cards were created finished and dropped off to the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth to brighten the days of others.

The Happiness Crusaders at the Conley School will be planting seeds of affirmation and love inside the elementary school as they greet the morning busses with a tunnel of love.

Fourth-grade teacher Kerri Doherty, who oversees the Crusaders Club said the purpose of the group is to spread love, joy and kindness in school and in the community.

Studies have shown the quickest way to feel better is to do for others and Valentine’s Day will be full of good cheer as she and approximately 12 Crusaders will hold pompons and affirmation cards that read: “You are special,” “You are unique,” and “You are loved,” to name a few of the encouraging statements.

Staff at the Duval School will be on the lookout for students showing kindness to a friend. They are giving out pink hearts to recognize students.

“We are hoping this will encourage empathy by helping others in need,” Assistant Principal Mary Beth Teebagy said.

The Boosterthon Team will also be delivering positive messages and kindness cards from the Duval students to children at Boston Children’s Hospital.

WHITMAN — Through emotion and tears, a crowd gathered at dusk on Sunday in Whitman with white candles that shone brightly in memory of a child who had her life taken away.

Lyric Farrell, 2, of Whitman was remembered Sunday, Jan. 19 — those who gathered celebrated the life of a little girl whose life was cut short leaving all to wonder how? and why? — as the golden sunlight set over photos of a smiling face,

Oversized pink ribbons adorned the doorway of  Miss Kay’s dance studio as owner Kay Duffy  offered her parking lot to host the vigil after learning of Lyric’s affection for music and dance.

She was also remembered for the hugs she gave all her daycare friends, and as a light who shared her radiance with everyone.

“She left her mark on us,” said Jackie Freestone, Lyric’s former day care director.

“We were blessed to know her. Her memory shines on,” said Michelle Carter also her teacher at the same center for the last six months.

Miriam Theodore, a pastor at the First Congregational Church of Whitman offered remarks at the memorial, and event co-organizer Jenn Marley handed out pink pins and helped to light candles during the vigil with friend Heather Clough, both mothers and both of Whitman. Clough spoke at the vigil.

Gently reminding those in attendance to use the vigil to remember the light Lyric brought to those around her.

“As members of the community kids are so important here- there is so much for them to do and there are so many ways for them to express themselves,” Coughlin said to the crowd. “It is a sad occasion and we can only imagine what Lyric could’ve grown up to do and she deserved more.”

Encouraging the use of their voices to make changes Clough encouraged the group to seek out organizations that can assist children alluding to the open court case.

“If you believe things need to change there are organizations to join … to turn the ‘could have- should have’ to ‘I will, I can.’” added Clough.

Teachers from Lyric’s daycare among the crowd were visibly upset as they talked about Lyric’s struggles in the weeks she had been returned to her mother.

Freestone said she raised red flags about the changes in Lyric’s behavior after slowly transitioning out of her grandmother’s care.

“I used to bring Lyric to the worker for DCF,” Freestone said. “I hated to send her but we had to.”

Lyric reportedly died of a non-accidental head injury, which left her on life support. She passed away on Dec. 31.

The open case is currently being processed in Brockton District Court with Shaniqua Leonard of Whitman Lyric’s biological mother being charged with reckless endangerment of a child. She is facing additional charges as the case evolves, according to statements through the Plymouth Country DA Timothy Cruz.

WHITMAN — Whitman Park was teeming with activity as families emerged for a peek at the sun during a spring-like day on Sunday, Jan. 12.

With temperatures reaching over 70 degrees, forecasters and the National Weather Service proclaimed the centuries old record was beat by Sunday’s short heat wave.

Max Capelotti, 6, and his sister Valerie, 4, of Rockland spent time running and jumping around the playground with their mom and dad nearby.  Miles, 8,  and Charlotte Davidson, 10, of Whitman  had races back and  forth on the field  with a  “no jackets” rule catching on quickly as children came down the slide. Another pair of soccer players squared off in shorts one even going shirtless in the sun.

There were no boots or cross-country skis to be seen along the dirt paths. However Jessica Smith walked with her two children Collin, 4, and Annabelle, 6, as they rode their bikes diagonally on the dry fields toward the park.

The Barry-Gill family of Whitman could be heard laughing as they raced down the hill — rolling from the top to the bottom — the flag pole directly behind the Civil War Monument is normally  frozen at this time of year; with parents keeping watch as their children sled down and race back with their snow tubes. The hill was bare Sunday.

The Whitman family normally sleds on the hill, but said they were thrilled to be outside on such a beautiful day.

Mom Sherri Barry-Gill took photos from the bottom of the mound as her daughters and husband Mike Gill rolled as fast as they could towards her.

Amari Romera, 4, of Whitman took a walk with his parents and proudly showed off his Popsicle it appeared that it too was not going to stay cold as he sipped the liquid from the plastic.

Others could be seen walking their dogs, teens on bikes pedaled by and families threw pebbles in the frog pond. Two couples sat on the benches overlooking the pond resting their heads back a bit as if to sun their faces.

An unlit holiday tree somehow appeared out of season on its stand in the middle of the pond. The gift of a cold weather reprieve however short was gladly accepted by so many smiling faces on Sunday.