Weekly Suggested Events for January 30-February 5, 2021

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Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking curriculum ideas for remote learning or homeschooling? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family. Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and events for all ages, each week!

Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!

LEARNING RESOURCES
Logo for 13th Annual Valentine Swap
Deadline to sign up: Friday, January 29, 2021
Featured School: The Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA.

Imagine a school that values and encourages your child’s unique qualities: The Hartsbrook School provides just that, with warmth and attentiveness. Outdoor-based classrooms, storytelling, music, and creative problem-solving all lay the foundations for future learning and deep social connection. Children’s imagination and empathy are awakened through the rich curriculum. Walks in the woods, visits to the school’s farm animals, and tending the gardens develop an awareness of, and care for, the natural world. Discover how meaningful a school experience can be and enjoy a vibrant, active parent community. Applications received by March 1st receive first priority. 193 Bay Road, Hadley, 413-586-1908, www.hartsbrook.org

2021 Amherst Winterfest
Ice Sculptures on the Common! A Drive-Through Experience: Feb 5 & 6 from 5-7pm

WinterFest Amherst 2021: Amherst Recreation, The Business Improvement District, and The Amherst Area Chamber presents Ice Sculptures on the Common! A Drive-Through Experienceon February 5 & 6 from 5-7pm. Welcome one and all to Winterfest 2021! This fantastical event will feature at least 11 life-sized animal ice sculptures displayed on the Amherst Common. Your favorite Winterfest mascot, Flakey, along with mascots from our local colleges and businesses, will join this event in waving to passers-by. Please DRIVE by and celebrate this amazing event! Ice Sculptures on the Common! A Drive-Through Experience takes place on the Amherst Town Common

Photograph of teacher with three teenage students smiling for the camera.
Virtual Open House on Jan 20 & Feb 6

FEATURED SCHOOL
Four Rivers Charter Public School

Four Rivers Charter Public School in Greenfield, MA, is accepting applications for Fall 2021. Prospective families can attend a Virtual Open House on Wed., January 20 at 7pm, or Sat., February 6 at 10am. Four Rivers is a small Expeditionary Learning school for grades 7-12, dedicated to educating young people for lives of learning and service. Four Rivers offers a rigorous college preparatory program aligned with the MA curriculum frameworks and emphasizes character development for moral and social responsibility. Students connect learning to the real world, work hard, and develop the independence and thinking skills needed in college and beyond.For more info & Zoom link, visit FourRiversCharter.org.

Photograph of two young people with stringed instruments with text overlay: Pioneer Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra. Virtual Music Program. A weekly enrichment and education program for orchestral instrumentalists ages 8-18. Thurs 6-8pm. Starts January 28, 2021.
Virtual program begins Feb 11. Ages 8-18.

FEATURED MUSIC PROGRAM
Pioneer Valley Symphony
Youth Orchestra Virtual Program

The Pioneer Valley Symphony is accepting new students to its Youth Orchestra virtual program. Thursdays 6-8pm, February 11 – June 3 (16 sessions). Students play, learn, and grow during these fun and interactive sessions led by Chris Moehringer of the Community Music School of Springfield. Activities include music rehearsals, virtual recording projects, music history, theory, improvisation, and masterclasses. Open to all orchestral instrumentalists ages 8-18. Tuition is $225 for the semester; fees are prorated for rolling admission. Discounts are available for families with multiple participants and limited scholarship funding available. For more information: admin@pvso.org; 413-773-3664; www.pvsoc.org/yo.

Stay in the Hilltowns!

FEATURED LODGING

Built in 1832 as a hotel, Deer Hill House is the perfect place to stay overnight while visiting family and friends in western Massachusetts! Deer Hill House is now four separate apartments under one roof, located on a quiet country road along the Westfield River, with Deer Hill behind the house, and a large open yard. Private, sunlit, one-bedroom apartments on the first and second floor, complete with full kitchens, and baths, are ideal for a writing retreat or a comfortable home base for your adventures. Located in Cummington, MA, Deer Hill House is less than 10 minutes from Notchview, and 30 minutes from Northampton, Pittsfield, and MassMoCa. Check out the first-floor apartment or search Deer Hill House on Airbnb.

Partner with HIlltown Families!

SEE YOUR AD HERE

Partner with Hilltown Families in your online advertising! Delivering your message each week to over 25,000 subscribers, web visitors, and social media followers, Hilltown Families can bring your message to thousands of readers in Western MA who are committed to their community and willing to support one another in times of need. In-person and virtual event organizers, local and online businesses, virtual and local service providers, non-profit organizations, and individuals are encouraged to reach out to find out about our affordable advertising options and marketing packages. To find out how we can partner together in your online marketing and outreach, contact Sienna at swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org.

Class Directory

Class Directory

Discover virtual & adapted programming in our Class Directory for Western MA

Preschool & Daycare Directory

Preschool Directory

Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA

List of Weekly Suggested Events

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021

Self-Directed Learning:
GEOGRAPHY

ARCHEOLOGY
Sat, Jan 30 @ 12pm
Canals of Amsterdam 

Self-Directed Learning:
PHYSICS

SPACETIME
Sat, Jan 30 @ 7pm
Four-Dimensional Space-Time

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021

COMMUNITY TRADITIONS: Easthampton Winterfest 

BRITISH HISTORY. 5am. Virtual Tour of Buckingham Palace 

LANGUAGE ARTS. 1pm. Creative Resilience – Rewriting the Script

PREK STORYTIME. 2:30pm. Virtual Storytime & Craft to Celebrate Groundhog Day

Self-Directed Learning:
INTERIOR DESIGN

BRITISH HISTORY
Sun, Jan 31 @ 5am
Buckingham Palace 

Self-Directed Learning:
ASTRONOMY

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
What Cycles in the Sky
Can Students Observe? 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Self-Directed Learning:
MUSIC STUDIES

MUSIC STUDIES
Mon, Feb 1 @ 7pm
Ukulele Strum-Along

Self-Directed Learning:
GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRAPHY
Mon, Feb 1 @ 7pm
Virtual Tour of Tibet and Mt. Everest Climb

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2021

PreK LITERACY. 11am. Virtual Storytime with Hubbard Memorial Library 

EDUCATION. 4pm. K-8 Virtual Info Session with Oak Meadow Live 

NATURE JOURNALING. 5pm. Intro to Landscape Painting and Pastel 

ART STUDIES. 6pm. Intro to Colored Pencils 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. 6:30pm. Virtual: Belize: The Southern Wilds (grades 6-Adult) 

MARINE BIOLOGY. 7-8:30pm. Sea Turtle Rescue 

COMMUNITY TRADITIONS: Easthampton Winterfest

Self-Directed Learning:
MARINE BIOLOGY

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Mon, Feb 1 @ 7-8:30pm
Sea Turtle Rescue

Self-Directed Learning:
NATURE JOURNALING

ART STUDIES
Mon, Feb 1 @ 6pm
Intro to Colored Pencils

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

PreK MUSIC. 10:30am. Virtual Family Jam! 

FIBER ARTS. 12noon. Knot Just Knitters: Live at Lunchtime! 

PreK LITERACY. 4pm. Cushman Library Story Hour with the Cushman Library 

FIBER ARTS. 5-7pm. Class at Northampton Center for the Arts 

FOOD HISTORY. 6:30pm. A Cup of Chocolate in 1771 

AGRICULTURE. 7-8:30pm. How to Make Maple Syrup at Home 

COMMUNITY TRADITIONS: Easthampton Winterfest

Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD HISTORY

CHOCOLATE
Wed, Feb 3 @ 6:30pm
A Cup of Chocolate in 1771 

Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD STUDIES

MAPLE SYRUP
Wed, Feb 3 @ 7-8:30pm
How to Make Maple Syrup at Home

Self-Directed Learning:
EDUCATION HISTORY

EDUCATION HISTORY
Thurs, Feb 4 @ 7pm
One Room Schoolhouses 

Self-Directed Learning:
ART STUDIES

COLLAGE
Thurs, Feb 4 @ 6pm
Collage Club

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

COMMUNITY TRADITIONS.Greenfield Winter Carnival 

COMMUNITY TRADITIONS: Easthampton Winterfest 

PreK LITERACY. 10am. Virtual Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org 

PARENTING. 11am. Infant and Toddler First Aid for Parents and Caregivers 

GOVERNMENT. 11am. Civics 101: Legislative Branch Part 1 

ZOOLOGY. 3:30pm. Virtual Zoo on the Go: Harry Potter Edition 

SOCIAL CHANGE. 4-5:30pm. Barriers to Reproductive Justice in Western Mass and Beyond 

PERFORMANCE ART. 6:30pm. No Strings Marionettes Presents The Snowmaiden 

LOCAL HISTORY. 7pm. Life & Historic Home of Civil Rights Activist 

Self-Directed Learning:
CIVICS

GOVERNMENT
Fri, Feb 5 @ 11am
Civics 101: Legislative Branch

Self-Directed Learning:
NATIVE SPECIES

Did you know we have three wild canine species in Western MA? See the differences between a red fox, gray fox, and coyote.

Online and in-person events and resources shared above are done so as a courtesy and not as an endorsement. While we do our best to share accurate and up-to-date information, please take the time to confirm information, age appropriateness, registration requirements, safety protocols, and associated costs.

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Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Amherst, Bernardston, Buckland, Chester, Gill, Goshen, Hadley, Heath, Hinsdale-Peru, Holyoke, Montgomery, Mt. Washington, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Springfield, Washington, Westhampton, and Windsor Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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