Daily Announcements from Williston Northampton

Great Summer Programs for Young Writers

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

4th Annual Pink in the Rink

The girls hockey team will be hosting Hotchkiss on this Saturday, January 31 for our 4th Annual Pink in the Rink event.  Last year we raised over $1,200 and we hope to do the same this year.  All the funds will be going to the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation.

Please join us tomorrow night for the 4th Annual Pink in the Rink Event at 5 p.m.! Wear as much pink as possible!

Also, Buy a raffle ticket and get a baked good for free! Below are the items at the raffle!

  • Vera Bradley bags
  • Fitbit
  • Beats
  • 4 Willy Hockey Sweatshirts
  • Williston Nike Sweatshirt
  •  Bruins Jacket
  • Bruins ladies sweatshirt
  •  2 Patriot Winter Hats
  • A Bruins Hat
  •  2 Bath and Body works baskets
  •  Alex and Ani Bracelet
  • Ladies Patriots sweatshirt and winter hat
  • Tucca Rask signed photo
  • Signed puck by Bruins player
  • Bruins Cup Champions 2011 plaque
  • Tucca Rask jersey
  • Tucca Rask photo
  • breast cancer blanket/water bottle
  • magic bullet desert
  • Can Jam game
  • Olaf pillow pets
  • 3 different hockey sticks
  • 30-minute massage
  • Gift Cards to Pure Hockey, Big E, Dominos, Tandem, Riffs, Dunkin, Giftology, Amazon

Modified Schedule Feb. 2-5

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

Athletic Facilities Open This Afternoon

Dear Students,

Just a quick communication to let you know that the Athletic facilities will be open this afternoon for your use. There will not be any formal team practices today.

Here is the plan:

Athletic Center –

1:00-5:00 Open to all

2:00-4:00 Open Pool

Squash Courts:

2:30 – 3:45 girls use of courts

3:45 – 5:00 boys use of courts

Rink:

2:00-3:30 Open for girls skating

3:30-5:00 Open for boys skating

Come on down and get some exercise!

Mr. Conroy

Health Services Hours

​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!

Weekend Activities Jan 30-Feb 1

January 30-February 1, 2015

Off-Campus Trips meet faculty at the Schoolhouse

 Friday, January 30

  • Open Reed showing Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with popcorn 7-10:45 p.m.
  • Open Gym 7:15-10:45 p.m.
  • Northampton Shuttles 7:15-10:45 p.m.
  • Trip to the Movies in West Springfield 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

 Saturday, January 31

  • Girls Varsity Hockey vs. Hotchkiss 5 p.m. Pink in the Rink fundraiser for fighting cancer
  • Open Gym 7-10:45 p.m.
  • Open Reed showing Frozen 7:15-10:50 p.m.
  • Northampton Shuttle 7:15-10:45 p.m., Mini Bus 3

Sunday, February 1

  • Open Reed NBA on big screen with pizza and wings 1-5 p.m.

o   Celtics vs. Heat (Watch t.v. for our students at the game!)

  • Open Gym 1:15-5:15 p.m.
  • Celtics vs. Heat game in Boston depart campus at 10 a.m. $40
  • Holyoke Mall Shuttles 1-5 p.m. Mini Bus 3
  • Super Bowl Party in Reed 6:30-10:30 p.m. (Read instructions below)

o   Special Study Hall in the Whitaker-Bement Middle Schol classrooms 3-5 p.m.

o   Check-in with the faculty member from 2:45-3 p.m. and settle in

o   Study hall begins at 3 p.m. sharp

o   Any student wishing to be at the Super Bowl Party must be a Senior on Honors or attend this special study hall for two hours. There will be no alternatives to this special Study Hall. Plan ahead and make your choices.

Dean’s Office Weather Update

Dear Williston Parent or Guardian,

There is a major snowstorm predicted for the East Coast, beginning as early as this afternoon in some parts of New England and the New York area. The Pioneer Valley is predicted to get up to two feet of snow, but estimates vary throughout Western Massachusetts.

This afternoon, only varsity practices will be held. All practices will conclude by dinner, and day students are encouraged to leave campus by that time. The practice schedule is available online.

Snow, wind, and poor visibility means that our on-campus community will be asked to shelter in place beginning tonight at 7:30 p.m. The dining commons will be operating, and specific times and information will be provided to students and on-campus faculty by the Dean of Students Office. Dorm heads have emergency kits, including lanterns and flashlights (extra batteries provided).

Tomorrow, January 27 all classes at Williston are cancelled. In addition, we will be cancelling all afternoon activities. Our goal is to keep our community as safe as possible, and we do not want anyone struggling with the decision about traveling to or from campus. A decision regarding Wednesday classes and games will be made when we have a better sense of changes in the weather. Please remember 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).

Thank you for your part in keeping us safe and well-prepared for the storm. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with the campus via the Dean on Duty phone at (413) 529-3911.

Stay warm and safe!

Sincerely,

The Dean’s Office