The Williston Northampton School’s Coordinator of Student Services, Jenna Motyka, oversees student travel arrangements for the three vacation periods and the three long weekends during the school year. We request that families schedule flight and travel plans well in advance referencing the dates and times printed below. Please recognize that the dormitories remain open the night after the final day of classes to accommodate boarding students who may have early morning international flights. We ask that families do not plan for departure until after all school commitments are met. Any exceptions to travel dates are to be communicated to, and approved by, the Academic Dean and Dean of Students prior to the student’s departure. Approximately two weeks prior to departure, students are required to complete and submit travel forms, which include their itinerary and destination during their time off-campus. Students may not stay alone overnight in hotels, rental houses, or other accommodations, and must have an adult chaperone on these trips.

For vacation breaks, Williston provides services to Northampton (Amtrak or Bus), Springfield (Amtrak or Bus), Bradley Airport (Hartford) and Logan Airport (Boston). Times for these shuttles are available below. One way cost for these services are:

• $15 Northampton Train and Bus Stations
• $15 Springfield Train and Bus Stations
• $30 Bradley Airport (Hartford)
• Logan Airport (Boston) – cost of bus split amongst students at the time of travel

For non-shuttle transportation to and from Bradley, Logan, JFK, Newark, or other locations, Ms. Motyka will arrange for an independent contractor to transport students. The transportation price list for Bradley, Logan, JFK and Newark are posted on the School’s website and within the Veracross Parent Portal. Cost is dependent on the group size at the time of travel and not at the time of scheduling, as the number of students traveling may change. All travel expenses will be charged to the student’s FACTS incidental account for either a Williston shuttle, or independent transportation service. Failure to communicate a change in one’s itinerary directly to Ms. Motyka 48 hours prior to the scheduled service may result in being charged for such services. In addition, if escort services are necessary for an unaccompanied minor, please notify Ms. Motyka via email. There is an hourly charge for such service.

All students must leave the school during the breaks for Thanksgiving, winter, and spring. The school generally does not provide housing or meals, nor does it assume responsibility for students during these vacation periods. If a student isn’t returning home, families must make arrangements for students to be under the supervision of an adult during these breaks, and students may not stay in hotels, rental houses, or other accommodations without adult chaperones. A student must not return before the published arrival dates on the calendar unless special arrangements have been made through the Deans Office. International students needing to travel the day after a vacation begins may stay the first night of the break if permission is obtained in advance from the Deans Office. Each term also has a long weekend. Dorms will remain open and students will be permitted to remain in their own rooms.

Saturday, October 21
Long weekend begins after last school commitment has been met.

Tuesday, October 24
Athletes return by 2 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 17
Thanksgiving vacation begins at 11:00 a.m. Williston Shuttles depart for Bradley Airport (Hartford) and Logan Airport (Boston) at 12:00 p.m., Springfield at 2:00 p.m. and Northampton at 3:00 p.m. Boarding students may stay overnight on November 17 for international flights on November 18. Dorms close at 12:00 p.m.

Monday, November 27
Dorms open at 2:00 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:30 p.m. Williston Shuttles pick-up curbside in Springfield at 3:00 p.m., Northampton at 4:00 p.m., and Bradley Airport (Hartford) and Logan Airport (Boston) at 5:00 p.m.

Friday, December 15
Winter vacation begins. Williston Shuttles depart for Bradley Airport (Hartford) and Logan Airport (Boston) at 1:00 p.m., Springfield at 2:00 p.m. and Northampton at 3:00 p.m. Boarding students may stay overnight on December 15 for international flights on December 16. Dorms close at 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 2
Dorms open at 2:00 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:30 p.m. Williston Shuttles pick-up curbside in Springfield at 3:00 p.m., Northampton at 4:00 p.m., and Bradley Airport (Hartford) and Logan Airport (Boston) at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 1
Winter Long Weekend begins at 1:00 p.m.

Monday, February 5
Boarding students return by 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 1
Spring vacation begins at 11:00 a.m. Williston Shuttles depart for Bradley Airport (Hartford) and Logan Airport (Boston) at 12:00 p.m., Springfield at 2pm and Northampton at 3:00 p.m. Students may stay overnight on March 1 for international flights on March 2. Dorms close at 12:00 p.m.

Monday, March 18
Dorms open at 2:00 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:30 p.m. Williston Shuttles pick-up curbside in Springfield at 3:00 p.m., Northampton at 4:00 p.m., and Bradley Airport (Hartford) and Logan Airport (Boston) at 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 20
Spring Long Weekend begins after last school commitment has been met.

Tuesday, April 23
Athletes return by 2:00 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 25
Commencement at 9:30 a.m. Seniors are expected to leave campus by 4:00 p.m.

Friday, May 31
Assessments conclude. Williston Shuttles depart for Bradley Airport (Hartford) and Logan Airport (Boston) at 12:00 p.m., Springfield at 2:00 p.m., and Northampton at 3:00 p.m. Students may stay overnight on May 31 for international flights on June 1. Students may not stay overnight on June 1. All students are expected to leave campus for summer break by 12:00 p.m. on June 1.

Questions? Please contact Jenna Motyka, Coordinator of Student Services, jmotyka@williston.com, (413) 529-3266