Parent Update: Nov. 29, 2018
Even though we just returned from a weeklong break, winter break will be here before you know it, and now is the time to plan.
Winter break begins Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 5 pm. Students may leave after their last final exam or other commitment. Here is the final exam schedule. Please pay particular attention to the dorm closing and opening times when making travel plans. Dormitories close Thursday, Dec. 20, at noon and reopen Monday, Jan. 7, at 2 pm. Students are expected to return to campus by 7:30 pm on Jan. 7. All students will be asked to complete a vacation form by Sunday, Dec. 16, at midnight, indicating their departure and return times.
Charter buses will leave NMH on Thursday, Dec. 20, at 9 am and will return students to campus on Monday, Jan. 7. Students should complete the charter bus reservation by Sunday, Dec. 16, at midnight. Here is the charter bus information. Occasionally there are delays in charter bus schedules, especially on return days, due to traffic or weather. Should you have any concerns, or if your student’s travel plans change during the break and this affects a charter bus reservation, please call the charter bus line directly at 413-498-3203.
We strongly encourage parents making travel arrangements for unaccompanied minors to check with the travel vendor (bus, train, or plane) about their unaccompanied minor procedures. We have seen an increased tightening of these regulations over the last couple of years. We are unable to accommodate unaccompanied minors on the charter bus without prior notification. Please contact the deans’ office at 413-498-3423 or the charter bus line with additional travel questions.
NMH Vespers
Celebrate the season with this beloved holiday tradition. Vespers are interfaith celebrations including readings, carols, and music performed by students in the instrumental and vocal ensembles. The NMH Singers, Concert Choir, Select Women’s Ensemble, and Chamber Orchestra will perform selections centered around this year’s theme, “light.”
Join us for on-campus vespers in Memorial Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 3:30 or 7 pm. There will be a reception at 2 pm in Bolger House (the admission office), and visitors are welcome to have dinner ($10) in Alumni Hall beginning at 5:30 pm. If you’re unable to attend, listen to the live stream from the comfort of your home.
The off-campus Vespers performance is in Boston this year, on Friday, Dec. 14, at 7 pm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Boston (15 Newbury Street). NMH parents are also welcome to join us for a pre-Vespers parent reception, 5-6:30 at STRIP by Strega at the Park Plaza Hotel.
Ferlinghetti Essay Contest Winners Named
Two students’ descriptions of the natural world surrounding NMH’s scenic campus have won them prizes in NMH’s first Ferlinghetti Essay Contest. Junior Ayleen Cameron’s “Connecticut River” took the top prize, and Angie Tran ’20 was first runner-up for “Nature’s Waltz.” Each entrant was asked to read “The Forest and the Lake” — an essay that Beat Poet pioneer and 1937 NMH graduate Lawrence Ferlinghetti wrote while a student here — and compose a short piece inspired by his descriptions of nature at NMH. Read the winning essays, and Ferlinghetti’s.
Announcements
The deadline is Friday to order the NMH yearbook, the Gemini. It is free to seniors, but must be purchased by other students. Books will be distributed in May. Orders and ads are due this Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.
Hogger Packs: It’s time to order “Hogger Packs,” exam-time care packages full of treats. They are delivered to student dorm rooms with a personalized note of encouragement from you. Reading day and final exams are Dec. 17–19. To send one to your student, complete this order form by Dec. 11.
No romaine, no problem: With recent news of an E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated romaine lettuce, NMH is now romaine free while continuing to offer a wide variety of greens. Spring mix, mesclun mix, and a power mix are all found at the new NMH salad bar.
NMH athletes head to college: Each fall, a number of our athletes "commit" to college programs. See the growing list of future college athletes and where they are going.
NMH alumnus turns 104: During Monday morning meeting, NMH students sang happy birthday to S. Prestley Blake ’34, NMH's oldest living alumnus. Watch the video. Mr. Blake co-founded Friendly's Ice Cream, and is a generous philanthropist and devoted son of Mount Hermon. Happy 104th birthday, Mr. Blake!
NMH Calendar 2019–20: The NMH 2019-20 school calendar is now available online.
NMH runner qualifies for nationals: Congratulations to Richard Sturtevant ’19, who qualified for Foot Locker XC Nationals. Richard finished in 10th place at the Northeast qualifier and will run with the top 40 high school runners in the country on Dec. 8 in San Diego.
Pie Race Results: The final results for all 2018 Pie Race participants are now available. See where your student came in!
New National Honor Society for Dance Arts members: Congratulations to Ella Bathory-Peeler ’20, Maia Castro-Santos ’20, Elizabeth Flynn ’20, Natalie Foster ’20, Megan Hrinda ’19, Sylvia Schatz-Allison ’21, and Annika Voorheis ’20. All were recently inducted into the National Honor Society of Dance Arts, which recognizes outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance.
Theater Festival: The 2018 one-act play festival will be presented Dec. 6 at 7 pm and Dec. 7–8 at 7:30 pm. The annual event is the culminating effort of students in the Directing and Theater Design and Technology courses. The evening features four short plays ranging from light comedy to serious drama. Tickets are available here.
Schauffler Scholar Series: On Dec. 5 at 7 pm in the library, Dr. Angela Yang-Handy will discuss her recent publication about the needs and experiences of international students at NMH.
New on NMH's Flickr site: The latest photos and videos include World Religions and Contemporary Issues class, our Veterans Day commemoration, AP Environmental Science class, and “welcome to winter.” Look for your student here. And get the latest news from the NMH Social page.
Upcoming Events
12/1 Tron Bon (bonfire)
12/2 Vespers at NMH at 3:30 pm and 7 pm
12/5 Schauffler Scholar Series featuring Angela Yang-Handy
12/7 Admission Class Visit Day
12/11 Holiday Jazz Concert
12/14 Pre-Vespers Parent Reception in Boston
12/14 NMH Vespers in Boston, 7 pm
12/16 The great NMH holiday event
12/19 Fall semester ends
12/20 Dorms close at noon
1/7 Winter break ends, students return 2–7:30 pm
