Editor’s note: The following message was sent out to parents and guardians this morning.

As we face another snow storm, the safety of your child and your family is our highest priority. With boarding students on their way back to campus today and classes scheduled to begin tomorrow, we are monitoring the weather across the region. As always, we ask that you use your best judgment when deciding when and if to travel to and from the campus.

If the school already figured into your travel plans today or tonight and if those plans are going to change, please contact the Dean’s Office by email at jmotyka@williston.com so we are aware.

We will be in touch later this evening with updates, but just a reminder that weather-related cancellations and schedule changes will be posted on the school’s website, Facebook, and on Channels 3 (WSHM), 22 (WWLP) and 40 (ABC40/Fox6).

As always, our community’s safety is our highest priority. Thank you for using your best judgment as you make your plans.

Sincerely,

The Dean’s Office

It’s not too early to begin considering summer plans. This year, languages teacher Noah Lipnick is planning a summer trip to China for students of Chinese at Williston. The trip will be held from July 17 through August 1, 2015. Hanban (the Chinese Language Council International) will be providing a chaperone as well, and there will be one adult for every 10 students. Students are responsible for international airfare, their visas, and pocket money. All domestic travel, cultural activities, language instruction, sightseeing, and room and board are covered by Hanban. Please email Mr. Lipnick with questions.​

Dates: July 17th – August 1st, 2015
Hanban Chaperone – Student Ratio requirement: 1 chaperone to every 10 students.
Costs: Students are responsible for international airfare ($1500-$2000), visa ($140), and pocket money. All domestic travel, cultural activities, language instruction, sightseeing, and room + board are covered by Hanban.

Read more.

Friday: Brunch, Chef’s Choice for dinner
Saturday: Brunch, Chef’s Choice for dinner
Sunday: Breakfast, no dinner will be served.
Monday: Brunch, regular dinner menu

2015 Winter Long Weekend Dining Hours

·      Thursday, February 5
o   Regular Breakfast and Lunch with modified classes
o   Dinner 5:15-6:30 p.m.
·      Friday, February 6
o   Continental Breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m.
o   Brunch 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., including deli bar
o   Dinner 5:15-6:30 p.m.
·      Saturday, February 7
o   Continental Breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m.
o   Brunch 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., including deli bar
o   Dinner 5:15-6:30 p.m.
·      Sunday, February 8
o   Breakfast 7:15 a.m.-8:15 a.m.
o   Check in at buses in front of Reed@8:30 a.m.
o   Lunch and Dinner in NYC, $30 meal money provided
·      Monday, February 9
o   Continental Breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m.
o   Brunch 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., including deli bar
o   Dinner 5:15-7 p.m.

The library will close today at 2:00 p.m. and reopen Monday at 7:30 for study hall

Enjoy your Long Weekend!

On this snowy day, it’s a good idea to fantasize about summer!  Many summer writing programs have deadlines in March, so I thought I would send a few along if you’re interested.  Three are in the area, and one is in Ohio (but well worth the travel if you can swing it):

At Kenyon College in Ohio, Session I: June 28-July 11, 2015/Session II: July 19-August 1, 2015:

http://www.kenyonreview.org/workshops/young-writers/

At UMass in Amherst, June 20th-28th:

http://www.umass.edu/juniperyoungwriters/

At Smith College (girls only), July 5th-18th:

http://www.smith.edu/summer/programs_writing.php

At Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, July 12th-August 1st:

http://www.simons-rock.edu/young-writers

Enjoy!  Happy Snow(y) Day!

Sarah Sawyer
Director of the Writing Center
English Teacher

Tandem will be closing at noon today, February 2, due to the storm.

Next week is a short blue week that leads us into our mid-winter break.  Two of the days will have a modified schedule and I want to be sure everyone is clear on what we are doing.

The most exciting day, Monday, we are very fortunate to be welcoming the world renown Yale Whiffenpoofs, who will be performing at an all-school assembly in the Chapel.  This will necessitate a schedule adjustment for the day.  Class periods will be reduced by 5 minutes each with the remainder of the time we need gathered by shortening the overall time for our afternoon program.  The new schedule for that day is below.

Monday, February 2, 2015 (modified BLUE Monday)

8:30 – 9:30                         All School Assembly in Chapel with Whiffenpoofs
9:40 – 10:35                       Period D
10:45 – 11:40                     Period F
11:50 – 12:45                     Period C1
12:15 – 1:10                       Period C2
1:20 – 2:15                         Period B
2:25 – 3:20                         Period E (no extra AP or labs time today)

Afternoon program begins at 4:00 (specific schedule to be determined by Mr. Grant)

The second different schedule will be on Thursday, a short day heading into our mid-winter break.  The order of the periods has been adjusted from a normal Thursday to help facilitate the College Counseling program for juniors, who will miss Period E to attend that program.  Mr. Cheney will share more about that early next week.

Thursday, February 5, 2015 – Midwinter Break begins (shortened and adjusted BLUE Thursday)
8:30 – 9:05                       Period F
9:15 – 9:50                       Period C
10:00 – 10:35                   Period B
10:45 – 11:20                   Period G
11:30 – 12:05                   Period E

Thank you for your attention to these details as we try to fit everything into an exciting and busy schedule.

Mr. Ketcham

​Just a reminder that Health and Wellness Services is open this evening from 5:30pm-7:30 p.m.  After that we are on call.  Please dial 529-3911 #3 for the nurse on duty.  Amy Lehane will be covering Monday evening and Carrie Meyers will be on call starting Tuesday morning.   Everyone stay safe and warm!