“As a partial stay-at-home-mom for almost four years, Hilltown Families has helped me find things to do with my daughter on weekdays and on weekends. Thanks and keep up the good work!” – Sandra D. (Holyoke, MA)

If you have a community event, educational program, or service-learning opportunity happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, self-post your event at any time on our Suggest An Event bulletin board. The events below are “suggested.” Please take the time to confirm that these events are happening, along with time, place, age appropriateness, and costs before attending.

Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families supports the development and enhancement of our local economy and community. Local businesses, individuals, schools, and non-profits are encouraged to partner with Hilltown Families through advertising and sponsorship. Let us help get the word out about your after school/homeschool class, event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business/school, service, open house, volunteer opportunity or general announcement. Deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA! For more information, contact us at info@hilltownfamilies.org.

Bulletin Board

Accepting applications for fall 2019. The Bement School founded in 1925 and located in Deerfield is a co-educational junior boarding and day school serving 225 students in kindergarten through grade 9. At Bement, the innovative educational approach and rigorous curriculum prepare students well for competitive secondary schools and to tackle the challenges of life. Students work hard, learn to overcome obstacles, persevere with joy and optimism, develop a strong sense of self, and find ways to help others. Children and adults at Bement work together to create a community where all members cultivate mutual respect and understanding within the school and the world. For info on how to arrange a campus visit, call 413-774-4209 or visit www.bement.org.

Jan 12

The Common School: Community, collaboration, creativity, social justice, inclusivity, environmental stewardship- Come learn how these words are put into action at their Open House, Saturday, January 12, from 10am-12noon. Featuring: Their own Nursery Teacher, Jean Meister, teaching a movement class from 11:40- 12:00 (all visiting children are invited to participate). Play in their classrooms, meet their teachers, and chat with current parents. Light refreshments provided. Questions? Contact Director of Admissions, Dana Kadish at outreach@commonschool.org or visit www.commonschool.org.

Enroll Now

Winter Homeschool Programs start Friday, 1/4 (9:30 am-2:00 pm), in Amherst, MA. Heron -ages 8+; Swift Eagle -preteens/teens. Since 1999, hundreds of children have developed their nature awareness, wilderness survival skills & mentoring with Earthwork Programs. Curriculum covered is seasonal according to the cycles of nature & is designed to allow students to explore what interests them but still revolve around group studies. Ice safety, hypothermia prevention, shelter building, tracking, more! $440-$560, sliding scale, for 8-week Winter sessions. Register online ASAP: earthworkprograms.com or call 413-340-1161.

Truth School Spring 2019 Trainings begin Jan 26 and run through May 26. Throughout the Pioneer Valley, there are free series classes and one-time sessions. There are free classes geared to elders, people of color, white people, transgender individuals, people of faith, seasoned activists and newly activated activists. There are free trainings on circle practice, sanctuary, planning meetings that get things done, reparations, abolition, workers’ rights, nonviolent direct action and so much more. Each free training connects to some dimension of building social justice movements – the gathering of people and resources together to create a more just society. Free to participate. Registration is required. truthschool.org

Looking for after-school classes and enrichment programs in the region? Check out our Online Directory! Western MA is rich in after-school learning opportunities that supplement the interests of our children, teens, and lifelong learners, our online directory allows us to partner with organizations and teachers to offer families a go-to resource for finding an activity that fits their families interests. ♦ If you have a class or program you would like to add to our directory, contact us at info@hilltownfamilies.org for more information on how you can be added at any time.

Hilltown Families Preschool Directory: Are you looking for a preschool that fits your child’s personality and reflects your family’s values for next year? Check out our Preschool Directory, which features preschools and programs across Western MA. Find the perfect place for your young one! ♦ If you have a school or program you would like to add to our directory, contact us at info@hilltownfamilies.org for more information on how you can be added at any time.

ADVERTISE HERE: Want to reach thousands of families living across Western MA? See your community event, after-school program, summer camp, class, school, open house, audition, homeschool program, workshop, volunteer opportunity, wellness program, local business, fundraiser, or non-profit featured here in the Bulletin Board section of our list of Weekly Suggested Events and our weekly eNewsletter! Find out about our affordable advertising options and how you can partner with Hilltown Families in your online marketing by contacting us at info@hilltownfamilies.org.

LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
January 5-11, 2019

Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday

Suggest an Event | Cultural Itineraries | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter | Farmers’ Markets | Storyhour & Playgroups| Advertise/Sponsorship | en Español
Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Saturdays, 9-10am – Hilltown Family Variety Show. Commercial-free family radio. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org. Click here select from over 12 years of archived shows!

Saturday, January 5, 9-11am – Easthampton Preschool Fair at Easthampton Family Center. Easthampton, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 10am – Sew What: Drop-In Embroidery Group at Greenfield Library. Ages 13-18. Greenfield, MA

Saturday, January 5, 10-11:30am – Tracking Fun for Families at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Easthampton, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 10am-12noon – Morning Lab at Holyoke Codes. All ages. Holyoke, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 10am-1pm – Greenfield Winter Farmers’ Market at Four Corners Public School. Greenfield, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 10:30-11:30am – Family Story Hour at Belding Memorial Library. Ashfield, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 11am-12:30pm – Monthly Parents Group at It Takes a Village. Cummington, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 12noon-2pm – Mask Making (Part 1) at Fort Future. Easthampton, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 12:30pm – UMass Men’s Basketball vs. La Salle at UMass Mullins Center. Amherst, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 1pm – The Clark Art Institute broadcasts the London National Theatre’s production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Ages 15+. Williamstown, MA

Saturday, January 5, 1-3pm – Art Reception. Talking Cloth: Kangas from East Africa at Great Falls Discovery Center at Turners Falls, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 3pm – Recycling 101 at Jones Library. Amherst, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 1-3pm – Family Movie Day at The RECOVER Project. Greenfield, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 1-4pm – Winter Trails Day at Northfield Mountain. Northfield, MA.

Saturday, January 5, 3:30-5pm – Chess Club at the Jones Library. Ages 7+. Amherst, MA

Sundays, 7-8am – Hilltown Family Variety Show. Commercial-free family radio. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org. Click here select from over 12 years of archived shows!

Sunday, January 6, 10am–12noon – Signs of the Season Nature Walk at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Easthampton, MA

Sunday, January 6, 12noon-2pm – Mask Making (Part 2) at Fort Future. Easthampton, MA.

Sunday, January 6, 1-4pm – First Sundays Free at The Clark Art Institute. Williamstown, MA

Sunday, January 6, 2pm – UMass Women’s Basketball vs. Saint Louis at UMass Mullins Center. Amherst, MA.

Sunday, January 6, 3-4:30pm – Ukulele Strum Along at Jones Library. Sign up is required to borrow a ukulele. Amherst, MA

Monday, January 7, 3:30-4:30pm – Brick Builders Club at the Emily Williston Memorial Library. Embedded learning: Structural Engineering! Easthampton, MA.

Monday, January 7, 5-7:30pm – Soup and Games Night at Hope & Olive Restaurant. Greenfield, MA

Tuesday, January 8, 5:30-7:30pm – Tween/Teen Movie Night at the Greenfield Library. Ages 10-18. Greenfield, MA.

Tuesday, January 8, 5:30-6:30pm – A Murder of Crows: A Natural History presentation at Northfield Mountain. Northfield, MA.

Tuesday, January 8, 6:30pm – Monthly Poetry Circle at the East Longmeadow Public Library. East Longmeadow, MA.

Wednesday, January 9, 8:30-10:30am – The Bement School Kindergarten Classroom Visit for prospective families. Deerfield, MA.

Wednesday, January 9, 3:30-5:30pm – After School Anime in the Children’s Room at Greenfield Public Library. Greenfield, MA.

Wednesday, January 9, 4-7pm – Weaving Wednesdays at the Emily Williston Memorial Library. Easthampton, MA.

Wednesday, January 9, 5:30-7:30pm – Scratch 3.0 at Holyoke Codes. Ages 7+. Holyoke, MA.

Wednesday, January 9, 6pm – Ukulele Time at Greenfield Library. Greenfield, MA

Wednesday, January 9, 6:30-8:30pm – Forbes Library Zine Club. Northampton, MA.

Wednesday, January 9, 7-8:30pm – World Cafe: Racial Justice at Forbes Library. Northampton, MA.

Thursday, January 10, 4pm – STEAM Book Club at the Jones Library. Ages 6-9. Amherst, MA.

Thursday, January 10, 7-9pm – Best Costume Movie Series at the Jones Library. Screening: The Duchess (PG13). Amherst, MA

Thursday, January 10 7:30-10pm – Peter Pan at Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater. Amherst, MA.

Friday, January 11, 9:30-11:30am – Winter Preschool Day: Animals Getting Ready for Winter at Hitchcock Center for the Environment. Amherst. MA.

Friday, January 11, 10:30am – Free drawing classes at The Clark Art Institute. Reservations required. Williamstown, MA.

Friday, January 11, 6pm – Weekly self-directed Figure Drawing class. Northampton, MA.

Friday, January 11, 7:30-10pm – Peter Pan at Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater. Amherst, MA.

Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Hatfield, Hinsdale/Peru, and Tyringham Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.