Weekly Suggested Events for January 1-7, 2022

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Are you looking for fun things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our list of Weekly Suggested Events includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun 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!

Whole Children in Hadley, MA, is pleased to offer a Virtual & In-Person Winter Program for school-age kids and teens. Their 6-week program will be offered Monday through Saturday, January 10 – February 19, 2022 and will include a full roster of virtual classes and a selection of in-person classes, including photography, theater, Joyful Chorus, Friendship Band, and more! Price: $125 for six weeks of unlimited classes! For more information, visit wholechildren.org/class-schedule or call 413-585-8010.

Give the gift of a clean home this holiday season with GreenLove Eco Cleaning! Get 30% off a Gift Certificate with their Holiday Special, available to purchase on their website through 12/31/21. GreenLove’s fully insured and bonded team offers greener, healthier lifestyle services to their community as part of the greater sustainability movement and focuses on building resilient communities through fair pay, healthy lifestyle education, and family-first values. This past year marked their 11th year in business, and after coming through last year’s pandemic, they are stronger than ever! The GreenLove Team is currently working on transitioning to a worker-owned cooperative model in early 2022. Sign up for a cleaning at www.greenloveclean.com.

FEATURED SCHOOL
The Bement School
Deerfield, MA

Virtual open houses are offered from January 11-13, 2022.

The Bement School, founded in 1925 and located in Deerfield, MA, is a co-educational day and boarding school serving 200 students from kindergarten through grade 9. While Bement is scheduling individual campus tours in person, a series of virtual open houses are offered from January 11-13, 2022. A member of the admission office and faculty will share what makes Bement an incredible education. Registration is required. Zoom invitations will be sent upon registration. Applications for fall 2022 are being accepted now. Contact the admission office at admit@bement.org with questions or to register for one of the open houses.

FEATURED SCHOOL
The Academy at Charlemont
Charlemont, MA

Virtual Info Session: Wed., Jan. 19 @ 7pm

The Academy at Charlemont is a community-oriented independent day school for grades 6-12. For 40 years, Academy students have become engaged learners and articulate leaders through small classes, rigorous coursework, diverse electives in the arts and beyond, inclusive athletics, personalized advising, and student leadership. Learn more about The Academy at a Virtual Info Session on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 (7-8pm), and visit The Academy’s campus along the Deerfield River for a personalized visit day. Generous financial aid and daily round-trip bus service from Amherst, Northampton, and the Hilltowns are available. Ready to learn more about The Academy family for your family? Find details & Info Session registration at www.charlemont.org.

FEATURED PEDIATRIC
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Sensory SpOT
East Longmeadow, MA

Registering now for 2022!

At Sensory SpOT, children explore ways to foster the growth of their emotional well-being, a strong mind-body connection, & strengthen their foundational skills necessary for learning. They create a positive learning environment that builds on your child’s strengths to allow them to flourish and grow their skills. Located in East Longmeadow, MA, Sensory SpOT offers individualized & group-based occupational therapy services and wellness groups for children provided by a Licensed Occupational Therapist and/or Occupational Therapy staff. Sessions are 45-60 mins. They are registering now for January 2022 SpOT and Wellness groups. Space is limited & registration required for services. Visit sensoryspotma.com for info & registration.

FEATURED SCHOOL
Amherst Montessori School
Amherst, MA

Amherst Montessori School
Ages 3mo-12yrs

Amherst Montessori School believes your child is inherently intelligent and that hands-on learning is critical to their developing brains. In mixed-age classrooms, your child is empowered to explore, discover, and learn through all five senses. In a beautiful new building designed uniquely for children, classrooms are filled with sunlight, natural materials, and views outside to playgrounds. Trained Montessori teachers nurture each child’s innate curiosity and independence. For more information: 413-253-3101; kedreich@amherstmontessori.org; amherstmontessori.org.

FEATURED SCHOOL
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts
Charter Public School

South Hadley, MA

Accepting applications for 2022/2023
Deadline: Feb 1, 2022


Do you know a student who would thrive in a creative, collaborative, arts-focused learning environment? The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School (PVPA) in South Hadley, MA, is accepting applications for the 2022/2023 school year for students entering grades 7-11. Enrollment to PVPA is open to all MA residents on a space-available basis. Application Deadline: Feb 1, 2022. Enrollment Lottery: Feb 14, 2022. As a public charter school with 400 students from 60+ communities, PVPA offers a free, college-prep education with arts at the heart of all they do. Apply at www.pvpa.org. Info session on Thursday, Jan 20, 2022, from 6:30-8pm. Registration online. For more info, call 413-552-1580 x134 or email
admissions@pvpa.org.

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List of Weekly Suggested Events

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022

FAMILY RADIO: 9-10am. Hilltown Family Variety Show. WXOJ 103.3FM Northampton, MA. (Radio)

GUIDED HIKE. 9:30am. Mount Greylock First Day Hike. Each year, DCR hosts guided hikes on New Year’s Day, offering a chance to enjoy healthy outdoor activities at our Massachusetts state parks! Hike an easy to moderate 2 miles (90 minutes) on the Bradley Farm Trail. Explore remnants of an old orchard and former farmlands now reclaimed by forest succession. Afterward, enjoy hot chocolate by the fireplace! This program is free, open to the public, and recommended for ages 7 and older. Space is limited. Preregistration required. Mount Greylock Visitor Center. 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA. 

HIKING. 10am-1pm. First Day Hike at Sanderson Brook Falls in Chester, MA.

GUIDED HIKE/ ECOLOGY. 10am. Explore the fauna and flora of the boreal forest and drowned lands at Tamarack Hollow snowshoe trek (or hike). This guided round trip, 2+mile trek will include interpretation about the stream and wetland resource area and the relationship between the drowned lands, the stream that feeds into the East Branch of the Westfield River, and the boreal forest ecology. Guides will also interpret the fauna and flora of these resources. They will also share maps of the watershed area and local topography. Registration required. Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center. aimee@gaiaroots.com. 1515 Savoy Hollow Rd, Windsor, MA.

HIKING. 11am. Self-organized First Day Hike at Chesterfield Gorge. West Chesterfield, MA.

GUIDED HIKE. 12:30pm. Mount Greylock First Day Hike. Each year, DCR hosts guided hikes on New Year’s Day, offering a chance to enjoy healthy outdoor activities at our Massachusetts state parks! Hike an easy to moderate 2 miles (90 minutes) on the Bradley Farm Trail. Explore remnants of an old orchard and former farmlands now reclaimed by forest succession. Afterward, enjoy hot chocolate by the fireplace! This program is free, open to the public, and recommended for ages 7 and older. Space is limited. Preregistration required. Mount Greylock Visitor Center. 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA. 

HIKE. 1–3pm. Enjoy a leisurely three-mile stroll down the Canalside Rail Trail. This family-friendly hike follows a gentle route and provides an opportunity to discover this amazing State Park’s abundant natural, historical, and cultural features! Meet at 1 pm outside the main entrance of the Great Falls Discovery Center. Hike begins at 1:15pm. Great Falls Discovery Center. 413-863-3221. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA. 

ICE SKATING. 4-10pm. Ice skating at the Ice Rink at MGM Springfield. One MGM Way, Springfield, MA. 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5-11pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park. 300 Sumner Avenue. Springfield, MA.

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Self-Directed Learning: Calendars

Julian calendar, Gregorian calendar, Lunisolar calendar, Sumerian calendar, Mayan calendar… with the new year, let’s talk about calendars! Have you ever wondered about the history of the modern calendar? Why is the contemporary calendar based on the cycles of the sun rather than the moon? Who was the first civilization to switch from lunar to solar, and which modern-day calendars remain lunar-based? Get curious and discover the history of calendars and how time and the cycles of nature are embedded within.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2022

FAMILY RADIO: 7-8am. Hilltown Family Variety Show. WXOJ 103.3FM Northampton, MA. (Radio)

GINGERBREAD HOUSES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11-5pm. The annual themed Gingerbread exhibit at the Springfield Museums is “Gingerbread: Under the Sea.” Walking into this year’s Under the Sea gallery is like diving deep into the ocean. Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA.

ICE SKATING. 12-10pm. Ice skating at the Ice Rink at MGM Springfield. One MGM Way, Springfield, MA. 

MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 1-4pm. Embrace the unexpected of the new year during The Clark’s First Sunday programming celebrating the art of mystery and illusions. Pick up a “mystery box” packed with a surprising assortment of art-making materials to use at home and explore the galleries with a trivia-themed self-guided game. Reservations for free timed tickets are strongly recommended. Clark Art Institute. 413-458-2303. 225 South St., Williamstown, MA. 

MUSIC STUDIES/ BAROQUE. 3pm. Bach at New Year’s Live! New England Public Media and the Berkshire Bach Society presents Bach at New Year’s Live! with Berkshire Bach. The orchestra will perform the six “Brandenburg” Concerti by J.S. Bach in a live concert. Held at the Academy of Music Theatre. 413-584-9032. 274 Main St., Northampton, MA. 

MUSIC STUDIES/ ASTRONOMY. 3pm. Moonlit Carols of the Bells. Continue your celebration of the holiday season with the First Congregational Church of Lee Handbell Choir. They will be performing Christmas music in the light of the Berkshire Museums’ Museum of the Moon exhibition, a science, music, and art integrated opportunity! All ages welcome. Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA. 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5-9pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park. 300 Sumner Avenue. Springfield, MA.

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Self-Directed Learning: Time

If humans can measure something as ephemeral as time, what else might we be able to measure? Horology, the study and measurement of time through the art of making clocks and watches, is one of many points of entry to learning through the lens of time. Getting curious about time can also support an interest in history, physics, and the humanities.

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Self-Directed Learning: Card Games

Card games have a rich history and are a popular family pastime. Over a decade ago, we asked our readers to share their favorite family card games, and they had many great games to recommend! But if all you have on hand is a deck of playing cards, knowing the rules to a few popular games can result in hours of fun and a load of learning! Today, our self-directed learning module looks through the lens of playing cards. There are many sociological and emotional developmental benefits for children when playing cards together. Start by getting curious about playing cards, their history, how they are manufactured, the cultural differences between the suites, and the origin of associated folk games. Learn about the different types of card games (i.e., trick-taking, matching, shedding, fishing, etc.), and then select games you’d like to learn to play (or teach to your kids).

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2022

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley  

PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County  

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County  

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County  

MUSIC PROGRAM/ PreK. 10:30am. Sing With Me preschool music program at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA.

PLAYGROUP. 10:30-11:30am. For ages 0-5 at the Edwards Public Library. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 30 East Street, Southampton, MA.  

PLAYGROUP. 10:15am. WeeMuse Littlest Learners. Interactive program for infants and toddlers, sparking curiosity with hands-on, cognitive, and social experiences at the Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.  

LITERACY/ PRESCHOOL. 10am. Preschool storytime and craft. For children ages 2-5. Registration required. Westfield Athenaeum. 413-568-7833. 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA. 

PUPPETS. 10am. Puppets, songs, music, and dancing with Tom Knight! Geat for all ages. Join via Zoom. Hosted by South Berkshire Kids. (Virtual) 

STE(A)M/ PreK. 1pm. Pre-School STEAM Program. Learn how to inspire your kids to engineer, create, design, explore, and build at home. Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA.  

POTTERY/ TEENS. 3:30pm. Teen Craft: Pottery Night. Create with air dry Crayola clay! Teens are invited to make mugs, sculptures, incense holders, charms, rings, jewelry dishes, and anything they can think of! This is a two-day event: sculpt on Tuesday, paint on Thursday. For ages 11-18. Registration required Westfield Athenaeum. 413-568-7833. 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA. 

PLAYGROUP. 3:30-4:30pm. For ages 0-5 at the Westhampton Public Library. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.  

MUSIC STUDIES/ CELLO. 7:30pm. Have you ever wanted to play the cello? “Cello & Chill” is a weekly class that will explore the history and trends in string music by watching performances together and trying out the cello basics. Instruments are available to rent through on a first come, first serve basis. Best for self-directed teens & lifelong learners. Artspace Community Arts Center. 413-772-6811. 15 Mill St., Greenfield, MA.

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Self-Directed Learning: Science Songs

For many young learners, rhythm and repetition can be an effective way of learning new words and remembering the names of things. Children quickly learn commonly sung songs with lyrics of all kinds, and we use their ability to memorize verses as a way to share information. Take the ABC’s for example – it’s a fun and easy song that we use to teach the English alphabet. Matching the names of letters to different parts of the rhythm helps children remember the order that they go in. But songs don’t just have to be used to convey basic ideas to the youngest learners, though – there are educational songs for kids of all ages and about all kinds of things! The University of Washington’s Sing About Science and Math Project offers an online database of over 7,000 songs that cover an immense variety of topics in technology, biology, environmental science, physics, chemistry, math, engineering, and medicine. Educators and parents supporting self-directed learners can find lesson plans inspired by some of the songs in the database.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley  

PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County   

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County  

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County  

NEW PARENT GROUP. 10:30am & 1pm. Beyond Birth groups meet weekly. New babies birth-6mos are at 1pm and older babies 6mos-1 yr are at 10:30am. Amherst, MA.  

LITERACY/ STORYTIME. 10am. Storytime with the Montague Center Library. (Virtual)  

STEM/ PreK. 10:15am. WeeMuse STEM. Children ages 2-5 and their caregivers are invited to explore science, technology, engineering, and math at the Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.  

LITERACY/ STORYTIME. 10:30am. Preschool Storytime at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA.  

LITERACY/ STORYTIME. Storytime at the Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA.  

LITERACY/ STORYTIME. 10:30am. Storytime at the Westhampton Public Library. 413-527-5386. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.  

PLAYGROUP. 3:30-4:30pm. For ages 0-5 at Goshen Town Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 42 Main St., Goshen, MA.  

BIOGRAPHY. 4:15pm. True Tales, a gently educational, always fascinating story program, especially for elementary schoolers! Youth Services Librarian from the Ludlow Library will share real-life people and events with biographies and other informational books in a friendly, appealing, illustrated picture book format. (Virtual) 

THREE KINGS DAY. 5pm. Día de los Reyes Magos/ Three Kings Day. Join Nueva Esperanza in celebrating Three Kings Day. Families can take pictures with the Three Kings, order food to go, and receive gifts for their children. Preregistration required. Held at El Mercado. Holyoke, MA.

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Self-Directed Learning: Snowflakes & Frost

Snow in New England not only offers opportunities for sledding, but it is also a great creative medium that can support science studies too! The chemistry behind snowflakes and frost is just waiting to be discovered! Kids can use snow, ice, and frost to learn about crystals. Snowflakes are a beautiful form of crystals, each one showing off a microscopic symmetrical design of spears, points, indents, and cutouts. (Be sure to read the book Snowflake Bentley!). Families can explore the formation of crystals with science experiments, including a giant snowflake made out of a Borax solution and homemade rock candy. These experiments create crystals slowly and on a scale that kids can examine for themselves. To maximize the learning possibilities, do both experiments simultaneously and make comparisons – determine which one grows faster, grows larger crystals, and makes the most transparent crystals. Another great topic to include in a study of winter precipitation is frost. See if you can find out the difference between snow and frost, and then see if you can identify the specific types of frost. You might even try creating your own frost flowers by soaking fallen branches or bits of logs and freezing them – a comparison between an outside log and a log frozen in a home freezer might present exciting results! The many different frost types are found during various weather and moisture conditions, and some are very rare. 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley  

PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County  

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County  

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County  

PLAYGROUP. 9:30am. Infant Playgroup. Play, read, sing and connect with other families. Opportunities to discuss child development and share learning ideas to do at home. Best for infants ages 0-15mo. Registration required. Westfield Athenaeum. 413-568-7833. 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA. 

MUSIC/ MOVEMENT. 10am. Music & Movement for children, hosted by the Montague Public Libraries. (Virtual) 

LEGOS. 3:30pm. LEGO Club for ages 8-12. Registration is required Southwick Public Library. 413-569-1221. 95 Feeding Hills Road. Southwick, MA. 

FOLK TOYS/ PLAY. 5 pm. Kendama Club with the Pioneer Valley Movement Collective at Pulaski Park in Northampton, MA.  

FILM STUDIES/ CLIMATE CHANGE. 6:30PM. Screening of Chasing Ice. In the spring of 2005, acclaimed environmental photographer James Balog headed to the Arctic on a tricky assignment for National Geographic: to capture images to help tell the story of the Earth’s changing climate. Chasing Ice is the story of his mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet.  Chasing Ice depicts a photographer trying to deliver evidence and hope to our carbon-powered planet. Westfield Athenaeum. 413-568-7833. 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA.

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Self-Directed Learning: Three King’s Day

On January 6th in many Hispanic countries, the Day of the Three Kings, or Los Reyes, is celebrated. This day marks the biblical adoration of the magi or the three kings that came to visit the newborn baby Jesus. Learn about the extended holiday season and the traditions and celebrations accompanying Three King’s Day through reading, baking, crafting, and celebrating in our post, Three King’s Day Offers Multi-Cultural Learning. The intersection of food and culture is an excellent way to make learning connections! Make Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Bread) at home and discover this delicious food tradition!

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley  

PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County  

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County  

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County  

PLAYGROUP. 10-11am. For ages 0-5 at St. Philip’s Church Parish Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 126 Main St., Easthampton, MA.  

SIGN LANGUAGE. 10:30am. Baby Sign Language Class. Learn how to teach your baby American Sign Language. For parents/caregivers with pre-verbal children ages 4 months and up. Hosted by the Southwick Public Library. (Virtual) 

GRANDPARENTING SUPPORT. 1pm. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Tea Time, every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month, with Community Action’s Family Center. 413-475-1555. 90 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA.

GUIDED WALK/ MINDFULNESS. 1pm. Guided winter walk that incorporates elements of forest bathing, mindful breathing, nature connection, tree identification, tracking, and meditation skills, culminating in a fire ceremony and time for sharing and reflection. Mount Greylock Visitor Center. 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA. 

MUSIC STUDIES/ TEENS. 3pm. Intro to Ukulele for Teens. Instruments are provided. No registration is required. Springfield City Library: Forest Park Branch. 413-263-6843. 380 Belmont Ave, Springfield, MA. 

DATE NIGHT/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 5-7:30pm. The Berkshire Museum is open late to offer an evening opportunity to tour the museum’s exhibitions and experience the splendor of ‘Museum of the Moon.’ Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.

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Self-Directed Learning: Hydroponics

What is required for plants to grow? This simple question can steer learning in many directions, including botany and agriculture. In the winter, getting curious about ways to grow food indoors can support learning about agriculture. Experiments like growing a bean plant with only a paper towel, paper cup, and a little bit of water offer lessons in botany. Building your own hydroponic system at home gives a hands-on opportunity to learn. Researching how ancient cultures grew food on floating mats dive deep into cultural studies and human history. Hydroponics! A lovely winter lesson when the days are cold and the nights are long.

Weekly eNewsletter

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 Agawam, Amherst, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont/Hawley, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Colrain, Dalton, Deerfield, Easthampton, Gill, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Hinsdale/Peru, Holyoke, Huntington, Leyden, Montgomery, Mt. Washington, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Northfield, Palmer, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Springfield, Tolland, Tyringham, Westhampton, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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