Family Weekend

Family Weekend

Family Weekend

Family Weekend

Family Weekend

Thank you to all the families who attended Family Weekend 2024! On this page, you’ll find lots of useful information about Family Weekend. Next year’s dates will be available soon.


Family Weekend 2024 Schedule

  • Upper School Schedule

    FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

    8 a.m.–5 p.m.
    REGISTRATION AND CHECK IN
    Grubbs Gallery, Reed Campus Center

    8:30–11:40 a.m.
    CLASSES/SPECIAL SCHEDULE 
    Family members are encouraged to attend classes with their student(s).

    12–1 p.m.
    COMMUNITY LUNCH
    Ford Hall Lawn – (Rain Plan – Sabina Cain Family Athletic Center) 

    1:10–5 p.m.
    FAMILY/FACULTY CONVERSATIONS
    Upper School parents wishing to meet with teachers should sign up for conferences in Veracross before Family Weekend. You will receive an email letting you know when the conference sign-ups are open. If you have questions about your time slots or where you are meeting, please ask when you check in at registration.

    1:30-2:30 p.m.
    INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE ADVISING FOR FAMILIES
    Phillips Stevens Chapel
    Students welcome if schedule permits. Open to parents and students from the classes of ’26, ’27, and ’28. Come get an overview of what to expect from the college search process from Williston’s Director of College Advising Emily McDowell.

    2:45–3:30 p.m.

    MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AT WILLISTON
    Phillips Stevens Chapel
    Join Dean of Students David Koritkoski, Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Nikki Chambers, Director of Mental Health Counseling Meg Colenback P’27, Director of Health & Wellness Services Amber Mish P’23, ’26, ’29, and School Counselor Anne Zager to learn about Williston’s efforts to support student wellness and mental health.

    3:30–5 p.m.
    ATHLETIC PRACTICES AND AFTERNOON PROGRAMS
    Attend your student’s athletic practice or open rehearsal.

    4:30–6 p.m.
    PARENT RECEPTION 
    Tent at Head of School’s Lawn, 37 Park Street
    Please join Head of School Robert W. Hill III and Kathryn Hill P’15, ’19 for a reception at their home. Meet, mingle, and enjoy light bites with other families and class deans.

    5:30–7 p.m.

    DINNER IN BIRCH DINING COMMONS WITH STUDENTS OR ON YOUR OWN
    Birch Dining Commons

    6–8 p.m.

    FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS FOOD TRUCK
    Sawyer Field at Berube Stadium
    Cheer on our Wildcats and enjoy a fried dough food truck!

    6:30 p.m.
    ATHLETIC CONTESTS

    6:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Field Hockey – Sawyer Field at Berube Stadium
    6:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Water Polo – Sabina Cain Family Athletic Center
    6:30 p.m. Girls Varsity and JV Volleyball – Sabina Cain Family Athletic Center

    SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

    7–9 a.m.
    BREAKFAST
    Birch Dining Commons

    7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
    REGISTRATION OPEN
    Grubbs Gallery, Reed Campus Center

    8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
    FAMILY/FACULTY CONVERSATIONS
    Upper School parents wishing to meet with teachers should sign up for conferences in Veracross before Family Weekend. You will receive an email letting you know when the conference sign-ups are open. If you have questions about your time slots or where you are meeting, please ask when you check in at registration.

    8:30–11 a.m.
    INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS FOR SENIOR FAMILIES WITH COLLEGE ADVISORS
    Plimpton Hall
    This is a great chance to meet one-on-one with your student’s college advisor. To make an appointment, please contact Dianne King at 413-529-3224 or dking@williston.com.

    10–11 a.m.
    COLLEGE ATHLETIC RECRUITMENT 101: WHAT STUDENT ATHLETES NEED TO KNOW
    Phillips Stevens Chapel
    Students welcome, if schedule permits. Listen to advice from college coaches on the recruitment process for student athletes! We strongly encourage both parents–and students considering playing at the DI, II, or III level–to attend.

    11:15 a.m.–12 p.m.
    BLACK STUDENT UNION MEET & GREET
    Dodge Room, Reed Campus Center
    Join BSU students, their families, and Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Nikki Chambers, Assistant Dean of DEIB Jayson Leigh, Science Faculty Member/Advisor to BSU Tyla Taylor, and Spanish Faculty Member/Advisor to BSU Darle Kokoszka. Learn more about Williston’s commitment to the social, cultural, and academic needs of Black students attending Williston.

    12–2:30 p.m.
    TAILGATE LUNCH
    Sawyer Field Tent

    ATHLETIC CONTESTS
    1:30 p.m. Girls JV Field Hockey – Galbraith Fields (Turf)
    2 p.m. Boys Cross Country – Galbraith Fields
    2:30 p.m. Girls Cross Country – Galbraith Fields
    3 p.m. Boys Varsity Football – Sawyer Field at Berube Stadium
    3 p.m. Boys Varsity Soccer – Galbraith Fields (Field 6)
    3 p.m. Boys JVA Soccer – Galbraith Fields (Field 4)
    3 p.m. Girls JV Soccer – Galbraith Fields (Field 3)
    3 p.m. Girls Varsity Soccer – Galbraith Fields (Turf)

    WIFI ACCESS
    •Choose the network WILLISTONGUESTS
    •Click “register” and enter your email address
    •You will then be connected to the WILLISTONGUESTS network, and receive a temporary username/password via email
    •Your device will be registered for the next 7 days, and the emailed username and password can be entered on the log-in screen for any of your other devices

    THE CAMPUS STORE
    Downstairs in the Reed Campus Center
    Friday from 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
    Saturday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

    HEALTH SERVICES
    15 Payson Avenue
    Friday 7:30a.m.–4:30 p.m., 6-8:30 p.m.
    Saturday 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
    413-529-3911, Option 3

  • Middle School Schedule

    No Middle School classes on Friday, October 4. The daytime programming on Friday is intended for parents only. Please note, schedules are subject to change.

    FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

    7:45 a.m.–5 p.m.
    REGISTRATION AND CHECK IN
    Whitaker-Bement Center

    8 a.m.–5 p.m.
    FAMILY /TEACHER CONFERENCES
    Middle School parents wishing to meet with teachers should sign up for conferences in Veracross before Family Weekend. You will receive an email letting you know when the conference sign-ups are open. If you have questions about your time slots or where you are meeting, please ask when you check in at registration.

    8 a.m.–5 p.m.
    REFRESHMENTS AND SNACKS
    Bottom floor of Whitaker-Bement Center
    Mingle with other Middle School families between family/teacher conferences.

    12–1 p.m.
    COMMUNITY LUNCH
    Ford Hall Lawn – (Rain Plan – Sabina Cain Family Athletic Center) 

    2:45–3:30 p.m.
    MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AT WILLISTON
    Phillips Stevens Chapel
    Join Dean of Students David Koritkoski, Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Nikki Chambers, Director of Mental Health Counseling Meg Colenback P’27, Director of Health & Wellness Services Amber Mish P’23, ’26, ’29, and School Counselor Anne Zager to learn about Williston’s efforts to support student wellness and mental health.

    4:30–6 p.m.
    PARENT RECEPTION 
    Tent at Head of School’s Lawn, 37 Park Street
    Please join Head of School Robert W. Hill III and Kathryn Hill P’15, ’19 for a reception at their home. Meet, mingle, and enjoy light bites with other families.

    6–8 p.m.
    FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS FOOD TRUCK
    Sawyer Field at Berube Stadium
    Cheer on our Wildcats and enjoy a fried dough food truck!

    6:30 p.m.
    ATHLETIC CONTESTS

    6:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Field Hockey – Sawyer Field at Berube Stadium
    6:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Water Polo – Sabina Cain Family Athletic Center
    6:30 p.m. Girls Varsity and JV Volleyball – Sabina Cain Family Athletic Center

    SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

    12–2:30 p.m.
    TAILGATE LUNCH
    Sawyer Field Tent

    ATHLETIC CONTESTS
    1:30 p.m. Girls JV Field Hockey – Galbraith Fields (Turf)
    2 p.m. Boys Cross Country – Galbraith Fields
    2:30 p.m. Girls Cross Country – Galbraith Fields
    3 p.m. Boys Varsity Football – Sawyer Field at Berube Stadium
    3 p.m. Boys Varsity Soccer – Galbraith Fields (Field 6)
    3 p.m. Boys JVA Soccer – Galbraith Fields (Field 4)
    3 p.m. Girls JV Soccer – Galbraith Fields (Field 3)
    3 p.m. Varsity Soccer – Galbraith Fields (Turf)

    WIFI ACCESS
    Choose the network WILLISTONGUESTS
    •Click “register” and enter your email address
    •You will then be connected to the WILLISTONGUESTS network, and receive a temporary username/password via email
    •Your device will be registered for the next 7 days, and the emailed username and password can be entered on the log-in screen for any of your other devices

    THE CAMPUS STORE
    Downstairs in the Reed Campus Center
    Friday from 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
    Saturday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

    HEALTH SERVICES
    15 Payson Avenue
    Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m, 6-8:30 p.m.
    Saturday 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.


FAQ

  • How do I register for family weekend?

  • How do I sign up for my parent/teacher conference?

    Registration for parent-teacher conferences will be available closer to Family Weekend.

     


     

    In advance of your visit, please be sure to set up conferences with your child’s current teachers and advisor following the directions below. When scheduling, please leave 10 minutes between each conference to allow enough time to get from building to building. Please also print out your schedule and bring it with you so you know where you need to be and when.

    Here’s how to set up your conferences.
    1. Log into your Parent Portal. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it on the Parent Portal login page.

    2. Click on the green box that says “Parent-Teacher Conferences” on the upper left side of the page.

    3. Follow the directions for choosing conference times. Please remember to leave 10 minutes between each conference and to only sign up with your child’s current teachers and advisor. A campus map highlighting the locations of the parent/teacher conference locations may be viewed here. You can view the schedule for the weekend herePlease also print out your schedule and bring it with you so you know where you need to be and when.

    4. Once you’re done setting up your appointments, click the blue printer button next to “My Schedule” to get a PDF of your schedule. Please bring it with you. The blue printer button next to “My Schedule” will also allow you to view your conference schedule on your phone.

    If there are no available time slots for a teacher, please reach out to them directly to setup an alternate time after Family Weekend. If you have any technical issues with this process, please contact Tammy Neils-Walker by email or by phone at (413) 529-3304. Thank you again, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

  • Where do I park?

    Ample parking is available on the Williston Northampton School campus. When you arrive, please follow the signs regarding family parking or pull onto the Main Quad loop, and campus safety will direct you to parking. View the campus map here to find campus parking locations.

  • What are some local hotels and restaurants?

    Easthampton and the surrounding Pioneer Valley are home to many hotels and restaurants, however, because of the five colleges in the area, reservations can fill up quickly. We highly recommend that you book your stay early. There’s a sampling of local hotels and other details on our Visitor Information page.

  • When can my child leave campus for the long weekend?

    Students may leave for the long weekend once they have met all their commitments, including all athletic contests, arts intensives, or other required activities.

  • How do I make my gift to the Williston Northampton Fund before Family Weekend?

    You can make your gift online, by Venmo, or by sending a check payable to Williston. When you make your contribution before Family Weekend, you will receive a Wildcat sticker on your name tag in recognition of your generosity. Find additional information on ways to give, including donor-advised funds, wire transfers, and gifts of securities on our Giving page. Thank you for your gift!

  • Can I attend classes with my child on Family Weekend?

    Yes! We are planning on having Upper School parents visit classes in person.  There will be no Middle School classes on Friday, October 5.

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