Winter Family Weekend 2024

What is a Family Weekend?

• Family weekends are special weekends designed just for Milton Hershey School students and families.
• Winter Family Weekend 2024 will begin on Friday, March 1 and end on Sunday, March 3. Students must return to their student homes or Transitional Living buildings by 5 p.m.
• All MHS families are invited to join Milton Hershey School teachers and staff on campus to experience fun activities with their children, visit school buildings, see amazing student performances, eat meals together, and more!
• Family weekends are an excellent opportunity to connect with your child on campus and meet MHS community members that are important to them.

Do we need to participate in all of the events?

• Families are encouraged to participate in the activities they choose. There are no mandatory events.
• We encourage our families to get involved, meet staff, and experience campus with their child. We also understand that schedules and distance may prevent some of our families from joining.
• Some events are in person and others are virtual. If you cannot attend in person, please take advantage of the virtual options.

How do I qualify for a free weekend?

• The passport system is an opportunity for families to earn a free overnight weekend visit by attending an on-campus event.
• Download a passport (PDF) or see your child’s houseparents for a passport, or get a copy from a Milton Hershey School staff member at an event.
• Attend any in-person activity on campus and have a staff member sign the passport. Turn your completed passport in to your child’s houseparents to have an overnight visitation that does not count as one of your allotted weekends.
• Reminder: Passports only qualify families for a free weekend on Winter Family Weekend and must be used March 1-3, 2023. Passports are not valid for any other dates.

Watch this instructional video:

Can I bring other family members or family friends?

• Yes, we welcome families to bring others along to visit with your student. This is a great way to show off your child’s educational and Home Life experiences.
• While we encourage family participation, Sponsor Shadowing opportunities in all divisions are limited to adult parents/sponsors only.

Do all events require an RSVP?

• Many family weekend events do not require an RSVP.
• If registration is needed, it will be clearly marked within the event description.
• Read each event description carefully to find out if RSVPs are needed.

Can I RSVP to MHS staff for all events or do I need to RSVP separately for each event online?

• You must RSVP for each event separately. Milton Hershey School staff are not able to RSVP for you.
• Many different departments on campus manage and host their events independently, so it is important that you RSVP or register for specific events.

Who can I talk to about ADA accommodations?

Milton Hershey School provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities at special events sponsored by the School. Questions about the accessibility of programs and events, and requests for accommodations at School-sponsored events, should be directed to Central Monitoring 717-520-2647 at least 72 hours (3 days) prior to the event. Please note that the School does not provide wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

We know that our campus can be overwhelming with directions. We are providing Google Maps directions to parking lots of the main locations for Winter Family Weekend events.

Catherine Hall

Parking Lot Directions

Copenhaver Gym

Parking Lot Directions

Environmental Center

Parking Lot Directions

Fisher Hall

Parking Lot Directions

Founders Hall

Parking Lot Directions

Gertrude Gurt Family Center

Parking Lot Directions

Hammond Hall

Parking Lot Directions

Learning Resource Center

Parking Lot Directions

Memorial Hall

Parking Lot Directions

Project Market

Parking Lot Directions

The Parent Portal is where you’ll get an inside look at your child’s grades in school, activities, and life in the student home. You received your username and password for the Parent Portal on Enrollment Day. Please email [email protected] for assistance with your login credentials. Be sure to keep your contact information updated to continue receiving communication from the school.

Access the Parent PortalSteps for Signing In to the Parent Portal

The portal also has a smartphone app to help you stay connected when you’re on the go.

Would you like your Senior Division child to have the option to participate in International Learning Experiences? Schedule an appointment at the Learning Resource Center to begin the process of MHS applying for a passport for your child! A passport can be used as an ID for milestone events such as getting a driver’s license and being hired for internships, co-ops, and part-time work!

If you would like more information about the process, please contact Jessica Simpson at [email protected] or 717-520-2924.

Parents/sponsors are invited to shadow their Senior Division student(s) throughout the school day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents/sponsors should report to the front office of Fisher Hall with their driver’s license to check in and meet their student(s).

RSVP to the main office at 717-520-2804 at least 24 hours in advance.

Please note:

• This opportunity is limited to only parents/sponsors. Other family members, friends, and pets are respectfully asked not to attend.

Meet your Senior Division student’s College and Career Counselor from 9-11 a.m. This is a good time to ask questions about academic performance, post-secondary planning, or course selection. No RSVP is required for this activity.

The following counselors are located in Fisher Hall:

• Dr. Farrar-Freeman
• Mr. Jones
• Mrs. Manney
• Mr. Speese
• Mr. Zapata

The following counselor is located in Hammond Hall:

• Mrs. Wascovich

Parents/sponsors are invited to visit their Elementary Division student’s classroom from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memorial Hall and enjoy a presentation from the leadership team.

To sign up, email [email protected].

Please note:

• All parents/sponsors must present a valid state driver’s license or photo ID upon entering the school building. Failure to present proper identification will result in the denial of access to the school building. Contact the main office at 717-520-2400 with questions regarding this policy.
• Shadowing is for parents/sponsors only (no children, friends, or extended family).
• Please do not bring flowers, balloons, or other gifts into the school building.
• All cell phones must be turned off.

Parents/sponsors are invited to shadow their Middle Division student at Catherine Hall, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parking is available at the bottom of the hill of Catherine Hall. A shuttle will provide access to the building.

Please note:

• All parents/sponsors must present a valid state driver’s license or photo ID upon entering the school building. Failure to present proper identification will result in the denial of access to the school building. Contact the main office at 717-520-2600with questions regarding this policy.
• Shadowing is for parents/sponsors only (no children, friends, or extended family).
• Please do not bring flowers, balloons, or other gifts into the school building.
• All cell phones must be turned off.

MHS Graduate Programs for Success Division, Alumni Relations, and Social Work staff will be available during all Senior Division lunches, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., in the Founders Hall Dining Room to talk about support services offered after graduating from MHS.

Do you have a new student and want to learn the best ways to get involved with the MHS community? Join MHS Family Relations Manager Jay Garvey from 11 a.m. to noon at the Gertrude Gurt Family Center. During this seminar, you’ll discuss your new role and how to have a successful MHS journey.

Schedule a fifteen minute appointment with your Senior Division student’s College and Career Counselor. Virtual or in-person appointments are available between noon and 3 p.m. Discuss academic performance, postsecondary planning, or course selection.

The following counselors are located in Fisher Hall:

• Dr. Farrar-Freeman
• Mr. Jones
• Mrs. Manney
• Mr. Speese
• Mr. Zapata

The following counselor is located in Hammond Hall:

• Mrs. Wascovich

Do you have questions about the Continuing Education Scholarship or support offered while your child is attending college? Stop by the Forum, located in Fisher Hall to meet with staff from our Graduate Programs for Success division.

Learn more about the Continuing Education Scholarship (CES), higher education support, and continuity of care during this information session in Fisher Hall.

Spartan spirit apparel, created by Senior Division students, will be sold from our Spartan Spirit Store run by the Senior Division Student Government Association.

Visit the store in Fisher Hall by the front office.

Enjoy a meal with your family and interact with MHS staff and community partners from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Copenhaver Gym.

Activities in Copenhaver Gym:

• Crafts and games with MHS students in our Education and Human Services career pathway
• Photobooth

Join us in Founders Hall Auditorium for the Senior Division Visual and Performing Arts production of “Matilda.” Children and adults alike will be delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Spartan spirit apparel, created by Senior Division students, will be sold from our Spartan Spirit Store run by the Senior Division Student Government Association.

Visit the store in Fisher Hall by the front office.

Year-Round Experiences and Learning Resource Center (LRC) staff invite families of all students to visit the LRC for winter family fun. There will be activities for families to complete together, along with food, books, board games, and more.

Visit the Founders Hall Visitors Center where more than a century of MHS history comes to life. This renovated Center features interactive exhibits, historical albums, and alumni awards/collections.

Visit Project Market, an Agricultural and Environmental Education program student-run business, for fresh produce, Spartan ice cream, goat milk soap, fragrance rollers, beeswax wraps, student art, and more! Enjoy a leaf printing activity during your visit to decorate cards to take home.

Join us in the Founders Hall Dining Room for a family lunch.

While there, meet school-wide health services staff and learn more about the many facets of student well-being at MHS through engaging activities! Stop by the tables for each area of health to be entered into a raffle for a door prize.

Enjoy your lunch and stay for a game of bingo hosted by the Student Health Services team.

Families are invited to spend time at the Gertrude Gurt Family Center where you can also create thank you gifts for MHS staff during your visit.

Join us at the Environmental Center for a nature scavenger hunt where you’ll delve into the mysterious world of animal pelts, skulls, tracks, and traces.

All families are welcome to join us at Copenhaver Gym for an afternoon of decorating baked goods, playing games as a family, and watching a movie. There will be prizes for the best decorated desserts, so make sure to bring your A-game and sweet tooth!

Join us in Founders Hall Auditorium for the Senior Division Visual and Performing Arts production of “Matilda.” Children and adults alike will be delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

You are welcome to meet up with your child and sit with their student home or Transitional Living building or utilize our visitor seating at our weekly chapel services on Sunday. A reminder that everyone must be seated 10 minutes before the start of each service.

Services by Division

• Elementary Division: 9 a.m. in the Memorial Hall Auditorium
• Middle and Senior Division: 9 a.m. in the Founders Hall Auditorium

Join us for a delicious family brunch from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Founders Hall Dining Room.

Parents/sponsors and their families are invited to spend time at the Gertrude Gurt Family Center where you can also create thank you gifts for MHS staff during your visit.

Join us at Memorial Hall to enjoy a movie, starting at 1 p.m., with the whole family.