Dear Parents,

Events leading up to winter vacation include a studio sale, Eventide, holiday craft workshop, Hanukkah celebration, Peanuts & Shells, and Revels. We pack in a lot of activities during the next few weeks, so your daughter will be ready for a well-deserved break. Winter vacation begins for underclasswomen after Revels on Friday, at approximately 10 pm. Vacation begins for seniors after Saturday’s performance, at approximately 5 pm. Dorms close at noon on Sunday, December 20. Boarding students must return on Sunday, January 10, 2010, by 9 pm. Classes resume Monday, January 11, at 8 am.

Hoping you are enjoying the onset of the holiday season, I send warm regards.

Trudy E. Hall Head of School

Holiday Festivities and Information

The studio sale takes place on Thursday, December 10, from 4 to 7 pm. Emma Willard faculty and staff offer fabulous handcrafted items for holiday gift giving. We’re back in Kellas Commons this year. Please stop by for refreshments, conversation, and fine handiwork. For a full list of artisans and their wares, click here.

On Friday, December 11, there is an advisor-advisee dinner, beginning at 6 pm, which all students are required to attend. Given space constraints, we are unable to include parents or other family members at dinner. At 7:30 pm, we observe Eventide with an all-school gathering of song and holiday celebration. This is not a religious ceremony and is not required for students, but attendance is encouraged. Parents are welcome to join us. The Eventide program is followed by refreshments and singing in Lyon-Remington Hall.

The holiday craft workshop is an opportunity for students to make gifts. Parent volunteers provide materials and instructions for activities such as making greeting cards, decorating cookies, and creating photo albums. The holiday craft workshop takes place on Saturday, December 12, from 1 to 4 pm in Kellas Commons and the 2e-cafe.

The Hanukkah dinner takes place on Wednesday, December 16, at 5:30 pm and features traditional Hanukkah foods such as jelly donuts and latkes (potato pancakes) with sour cream and applesauce. Students play with dreidels, enjoy gelt (chocolate coins), and learn the story of Hanukkah.

Peanuts & Shells is a week-long tradition, similar to Secret Santa. Each “peanut” makes a wish list and hangs a stocking on her hall. From Monday, December 14, through Thursday, December 17, the “shell” gives a small (under $1) gift to her peanut by placing it secretly in her stocking. On Friday, December 18, each hall holds a party, where a somewhat larger gift (around $5) is given, and the shell's identity is revealed. We begin the parties at 11:30 am with lunch served on the halls before the final gifts are exchanged.

The much anticipated Revels performance for underclasswomen takes place on Friday evening, December 18, at 8 pm. Emma’s strongest tradition, this senior class production of Yuletide celebration and medieval pageantry has united and energized the campus since 1915. The carefully kept secrets about who has what role are finally revealed in a memorable night of colorful costumes, raucous cheering, and merry-making. Senior parents are invited to attend the Revels performance on Saturday afternoon at 2 pm. Reservations are a must. Call the Alumnae Relations Office at 518-833-1787 or email alumnae@emmawillard.org to reserve your seat.